A British firm has secured £6.6m of funding to get new hydrogen-powered and autonomous HGV prototypes on the road.

As part of the government-funded Centre for Connected Autonomous Vehicles, Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) is part of a consortium with automated driving firm Fusion Processing and Asda.

The £6.6m of funding makes up a £12m venture that will develop self-driving HGVs in the hope it will ‘speed up the adoption of zero-emission vehicles by the freight sector’. Two prototype vehicles capable of ‘hands-off’ Level 4 autonomous driving will be developed, with the first being a normal HGV tested on the road in self-driving operation.

A second prototype will then have the cab removed and replaced by an ‘aerodynamic fairing’. This truck will be tested away from public roads and won’t require a driver to be onboard at all, but rather away in a ‘control hub’ operating the vehicle.

HVS says it points towards an ‘optimised future logistics system’, where HGVs might not need a driver to be onboard when the vehicle is going on a ‘hub-to-hub route’, and says it offers a ‘next-generation solution’ to today’s issues with driver shortages. It would also allow the vehicles to drive at less busy times on the roads, reducing time spent in congestion.

HVS chief executive Jawad Khursheed said: “A transport revolution is taking place in the UK and HVS, together with the consortium, is at the forefront of the innovation.

“We are engineering the world’s first autonomous hydrogen-electric powered HGV to demonstrate hub-to-hub logistics to a leading retailer, Asda, to elevate public perception, showcasing the potential autonomy can deliver thanks to increased safety and fuel savings, and develop new business models.”

Nissan has revealed a modified version of its Ariya EV that will be used on a 17,000-mile expedition from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Being undertaken to ‘showcase the capability of EVs and highlight positive action against the climate crisis’, the one-off Ariya has been designed with the help of specialists Arctic Trucks.

Nissan says modifications have been ‘intentionally minimal’, with the Ariya’s electric powertrain being unaltered. The most major changes are a revised suspension setup and huge 39-inch tyres.

Other changes made to the Ariya include widened arches to accommodate the huge wheels, as well as a roof panel that allows a drone to be flown from and land on. A specially-integrated coffee machine is also fitted for an on-demand caffeine fix.

Explorers Chris and Julie Ramsey will be undertaking the challenge, and hope to be the first to drive from the North Pole to the South Pole in an electric car if successful.

Chris Ramsey, EV expedition leader, said: “One of the things that underpins all the adventures we do is that we take a standard production EV and aim to make minimal changes to clearly demonstrate its real, everyday capabilities, regardless of where you are driving it. Our Nissan Ariya is no different as the vehicle’s drivetrain and battery has remained factory standard, demonstrating just how capable and versatile the production Ariya is.

“We’ve modified the suspension and widened the wheel arches so we can benefit from the stable platform and support of the 39-inch BF Goodrich tyres. I’m incredibly excited to get behind the wheel of what was already a brilliant vehicle, but now feels equipped to take on the ends of the earth in style.”

The Pole-to-Pole expedition has been four years in the making, with the challenge getting underway in March.

Peugeot’s boss has ruled out introducing more affordable electric models, but will instead focus on making the cars it already has more accessible.

Peugeot offers a wide choice of electric models, including the e-208 supermini and e-2008 crossover, as well as a diverse line-up of battery-powered vans. Peugeot will be introducing EVs of its popular 308 and 3008 in 2023 too and will offer a fully-electric derivative of every car it sells by 2025.

However, despite Peugeot being adamant that it “won’t price customers out of the market”, smaller, more affordable city cars are not set to play a part in the picture.

Asked by the PA news agency if the firm would introduce electric models below its e-208, Linda Jackson, chief executive of Peugeot, said it was “concentrating” on making the cars it already sells more affordable.

Jackson said: “I think at this stage what we want to do is ask how can we make more affordable the current line-up [of cars] we’ve got and which we’re concentrating on? And that’s Peugeot-as-you-go, subscriptions, offers and a variety of things.

“Quite honestly, right now we’re concentrating on our current range, because this is where we are. We’re all in this transition phase before full electric, so we want to make our existing cars more accessible for our customers.”

‘Peugeot-as-you-go’ is a scheme currently operating in France, which customers pay a monthly payment of €150 (£131.82) for, and which includes the car and 500km (311 miles) of driving a month. If motorists need to do more miles than this they can ‘top-up’ the mileage at €0.07 (6p) a kilometre.

Phil York, marketing director of Peugeot, added: “The cost of living is rising, and the cost of raw material pricing is going up and it’s really vital that we don’t price customers out of the market. There are several options we’re working on that we’re trialling right now, and the first of those is like a mobile phone package, which is ‘Peugeot as you go’.

“It makes it very easy, very accessible and very affordable for those customers that don’t do long distances.”

York added Peugeot wanted to “expand Peugeot-as-you-go to other markets” outside of France and to more cars, but wouldn’t add which countries would be included.

He also added that “subscriptions are well adapted to electric cars” and that Peugeot was seeing “a lot of interest” in this method of flexible all-inclusive ownership, which includes the cost of the car, along with maintenance, servicing, insurance and even charging.

Volvo is recalling more than 100,000 cars worldwide over a potential issue with the automatic emergency braking systems in its cars.

It affects the Swedish firm’s 2023 model year range, with its full line-up of cars included, such as the popular XC40, electric C40 and flagship XC90. The S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90, V90, V90 Cross Country and XC60 are also affected.

A total of 106,691 vehicles worldwide are affected, with Volvo confirming to the PA news agency that 10,197 UK vehicles are due to be recalled.

The issue concerns the autonomous emergency braking system, with Volvo saying that in “rare cases” the “electronic braking support functions” can be lost. This is the automatic system that can slam on the brakes if it senses a crash is imminent and the driver hasn’t responded.

The firm added that it’s a “potential issue with software within the brake control module” that is the cause of the fault, but added that “braking capability remains via the brake pedal”.

In a statement, Volvo said: “To remedy the affected vehicles, Volvo Cars will update the software relating to the brake control module. Safety is a top priority for Volvo Cars, and we take this issue seriously. We are launching this recall to prevent issues and inconvenience for our customers.”

Volvo says it is now contacting owners of affected vehicles and asking them to book their car into one of its dealers “as soon as possible”. The work will be carried out free of charge.

New interim targets are needed if the government is to achieve its plan of having 300,000 electric car chargers by 2030, according to the AA.

Figures released today by the Department for Transport today show that, as of January 1, there were 37,055 public electric car chargers installed. Though this was an increase of 2,418 chargers, or seven per cent, compared to October 2022, it’s still a long way short of the government’s 2030 date when it wants almost 10 times as many electric car chargers to be available across the UK.

The AA is now calling on interim targets to be put into place, amid worry that the government will not hit its target of having 300,000 publicly available electric car chargepoints by 2030. There is also concern that the infrastructure is not keeping pace with the greater number of electric cars being registered.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “New EVs are flying off the factory floor, but we desperately need charge point installations to keep pace with an ever-growing demand.

“With a target of 300,000 publicly available charge points by 2030 and just 37,055 installations in place, more focus is needed to accelerate the nation’s charging infrastructure.

“We urge the government to set marker post targets in place so drivers can see the progress is being made while giving those nervous to switch the confidence to do so.”

Figures from trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 267,203 new electric cars were registered in 2022 in the UK, with the third most popular car being the Tesla Model Y EV, which accounted for 35,551 registrations. Electric cars accounted for a 16.6 per cent share of new cars sold in 2022 – up five per cent on the previous year – and now outperform all fuel types other than petrol cars.

Car theft remains a significant problem in the UK, with 48,500 vehicles taken from their owners in 2021 alone.

While these numbers are much lower than the car theft highs of a few decades earlier, thieves have been changing tactics in recent years, and are now increasingly targeting ‘keyless’ cars by exposing their often-weak security.

There are several things you can do to make your car more secure and to deter thieves. Let’s take a look.

Think about where you park the car

Where you park your car can often play a significant part in the likelihood of a thief taking a chance on your vehicle. When you’re out and about, try and choose the safest place possible to leave your vehicle. Well-lit places are an immediate deterrent while choosing a car park that has CCTV will help put off criminals. You can use the Park Mark website to help you find facilities approved for safety and security.

Parking when you get home is also important. If you have a very visible driveway, it will make crooks notice your vehicle in less time. If you have the option of parking your vehicle around the back of your house, that’s a great idea. Similarly, you could look at installing a parking bollard in front of your vehicle to reduce the likelihood of it being taken.

Where you put your keys is important

It goes without saying but as soon as you get out of your car, you should always lock and secure it, and never be tempted to leave it running – such as when defrosting it on a cold winter’s morning. It’s scenarios like these that opportunist thieves will act on.

After this, you need to think about where you put your keys. Never put them somewhere that’s easily in sight, and try and put them as far away from the car as possible.

Faraday pouch for keyless cars

If you have a keyless car, you should invest in a faraday pouch or box. Available from only around £5, you put your keys inside and then seal the pouch or box, which should stop any ‘keyless’ signals from being emitted, which crooks can use a device to connect with to unlock and start the car even without the keys.

These pouches are a must for any keyless car owner, and don’t forget to put both sets in too. Just be aware that over time these pouches can fade and end up not blocking the signals – you can check by having the keys in the pouch while standing next to the vehicle and seeing if it opens.

Look at steering locks

A physical deterrent is another great idea to help keep your vehicle safer, and one of the best is a steering lock. They might have been well used many years ago, but in a day and age of keyless cars, they’ve made a comeback.

Not only will these hopefully deter thieves in the first place, but they will add time to the job of stealing the car. If you drive a particularly desirable car that’s fitted with keyless entry or start, it’s worth buying.

Install ‘ghost’ immobilisers and trackers

Another deterrent that’s a good idea is an immobiliser. All new cars these days have them but you can add another step by fitting a ‘ghost’ immobiliser. This is where a certain button or number sequence needs to be entered into the car for it to start. It means that even if someone has your keys, they won’t be able to start the vehicle without knowing this pin code.

But should the worst happen, that’s where a vehicle tracker will come in. When installed into the vehicle, you’ll be able to see where the car has been taken, and be able to work with the police to hopefully recover the vehicle. Trackers can sometimes be removed by thieves, however.

Take out any valuables

Even if thieves aren’t set out to steal the car itself, it’s a good idea to try and protect the vehicle from being broken into.

The easiest step you can do is to take out any valuables that will put criminals off breaking in. It’s worth putting any bags or boxes on show (even if of little worth) into the boot or out of sight, just in case someone breaks in thinking it’s items of value.

Never put yourself in danger

While there are a number of actions you can take to help to protect your car, there’s one thing you should never do, and that’s putting yourself in danger.

Some car thieves will be part of organised crime networks, and will not be afraid of using violence to steal your car. It’s not worth risking your life or health, or any other members of your household, in trying to protect your vehicle. As long as your car is fully insured with an accurate current valuation, it’s not worth putting yourself in danger for some metal that can be replaced.

A Lancia Delta Integrale owned by actor Rowan Atkinson is coming up for auction next month.

The Delta, a famed ‘HF Integrale Evoluzione II’ model known for its rally pedigree, has been owned by the Mr Bean star since since May 2021, with Atkinson adding around 3,000km (1,864 miles) to the car during his time with it, and now displays 90,000km (55,923 miles) on the odometer. Silverstone Auctions, who is selling the car, says the actor has “enjoyed many happy hours in the car”.

The Lancia Delta shot to fame for its domination of the World Rally Championship in the late 1980s and 1990s, with Evoluzione – or ‘Evo’ as the name is usually shortened to – being the road-going homologation models that enabled Lancia to meet the conditions for motorsport.

The Evo II model arrived in June 1993, and is widely considered as the ‘one to have’. Featuring an uprated engine, power from its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine was increased to 215bhp.

Rowan Atkinson’s example was originally supplied to Japan, before being imported to the UK in 2011. It’s painted in Lord Blue, a rare colour for the Integrale.

Silverstone Auctions says the car is ‘supplied with a comprehensive history file’ and is ‘ready to be enjoyed and driven as it should be’.

Estimated to sell for £65,000 to £75,000, the Lancia is being sold at the Race Retro Show at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on February 25.

Rowan Atkinson is well-known for his love of cars, with the star buying one of the 106 McLaren F1s – now one of the most valuable cars – produced when new in 1997, and famously crashing it twice. He sold the F1 in 2015 for a reported £8m, with more recent cars auctioned off by the star including a Mercedes 500 E and Lancia Thema 8.32.

Hertz and Uber have announced an expanded partnership to bring 25,000 electric cars to the ride-hailing company’s drivers.

The rental firm already makes EVs available to Uber drivers, with a similar partnership in North America seeing nearly 50,000 of them renting Teslas via the scheme.

The firms are now looking to do the same in Europe, with London being the first city to benefit.

Hertz says a ‘wide range of suitable EVs will be on offer’, with the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 being two of the cars available. Paris and Amsterdam will be the next two European capital cities to benefit from the partnership.

Stephen Scherr, chief executive of Hertz, said: “Hertz continues to accelerate the drive toward sustainability and our partnership with Uber significantly advances that goal.

“By making EVs available to ride-share drivers, we will not only contribute to reducing emissions in European cities but also expand opportunities for people to experience the benefits of electrification.

“As Hertz invests to create one of the largest EV fleets globally, our Uber partnership will ensure that we continue to lead in the rapidly changing mobility landscape across Europe.”

Uber aims to be emissions-free in London by 2025, and by 2030 across mainland Europe and North America as a whole.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber chief executive officer, said: “As the largest mobility platform in the world, we know that our impact goes beyond our technology. Climate change is the most urgent global challenge which we must all tackle together – now is the time to accelerate.

“Expanding our partnership with Hertz into Europe will significantly boost our transition to zero-emissions, helping drivers reduce running costs and cleaning up urban transport. We aim to become a 100 per cent electric platform across Europe by 2030.”

Mini has announced a new offer that gives customers of its Electric hatchback a free home charger.

Many manufacturers used to offer a free or subsided charger, but with the government vastly cutting the grants available for electric car owners, it’s something rarely offered these days.

However, Mini says it’s looking to promote ‘easier, more efficient charging at home’ with the offer of a complimentary free Pod Point charger, which also includes installation. The charger is three times faster than using a standard three-pin plug and allows the battery to be charged from flat to 80 per cent in three hours.

With the Pod Point app, owners are able to check their charging activity, track costs and schedule charging for off-peak times when electricity is generally cheaper.

The offer is available to all Mini Electrics ordered between January 1 and March 31. For customers that already have a home charger, or don’t have off-street parking, for example, Mini is offering a £750 towards a finance deposit.

Already included is a 12-month subscription to Mini Charging, which allows easier access to 11,000 charging points in the UK and 173,000 across Europe, including networks like Ionity, Instavolt and BP Pulse.

Introduced in 2020, the Mini Electric remains the British brand’s only EV, and is based on the firm’s best-selling three-door Hatch. Offering comparable performance to the petrol Cooper S version, it’s able to travel up to 145 miles on a single charge.

Amazon says the next season of Clarkson’s Farm is still in production, despite the broadcaster’s comments about the Duchess of Sussex that were deemed misogynistic by critics.

While Amazon has been reportedly looking to part company with Jeremy Clarkson following his comments regarding the Duchess of Sussex in The Sun in December, a spokesperson has confirmed to the PA news agency that the third series of Clarkson’s Farm is “currently in production to launch at a later date”.

The spokesperson wouldn’t comment or add anything more to reports of ties between Amazon and Clarkson being cut, but the second series of Clarkson’s Farm will still be released on Amazon Prime Video on February 10.

Amazon’s statement followed a lengthy apology by Clarkson, published on Instagram yesterday, where he said: “I really am sorry. All the way from the balls of my feet to the follicles in my head. This is me putting my hands up.”

In the post, Clarkson, who also presents ITV’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire, said that ITV and Amazon “were incandescent”. He also said that “on Christmas morning, I emailed Harry and Meghan to apologise to them too”.

However, a spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said yesterday: “On December 25 2022, Mr Clarkson wrote solely to Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. The contents of his correspondence were marked private and confidential.

“While a new public apology has been issued today by Mr Clarkson, what remains to be addressed is his long-standing pattern of writing articles that spread hate rhetoric, dangerous conspiracy theories and misogyny.

“Unless each of his other pieces were also written ‘in a hurry’, as he states, it is clear that this is not an isolated incident shared in haste, but rather a series of articles shared in hate.”

Clarkson, 62, presented Top Gear between 1988 and 1998, then more prominently between 2002 and 2015, but was dropped by the BBC after an altercation with a member of production staff.

Along with fellow Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond and James May, he then moved to Amazon Prime Video to make The Grand Tour. He subsequently created Clarkson’s Farm, which documents his efforts to run an Oxfordshire farm that he bought in 2008.