I have decided for my final major project that I would research on a topic that really gets me interested, and one topic in particular is emissions with cars, more specific electric and hydrogen cars. We are told that they are the future, but are they? I want to find out more about these cars, they are becoming more popular on Britain’s roads, but with a 1.7% on new car sales going to electric and only two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on sale today, is there something we don’t know and why they are still not as popular as traditional internal combustion engined cars.
I haven’t quite decided the angle I want to tackle to tell my audience something they don’t know, but I am prepared to find out something that I don’t know myself. I want to clarify with my lecturer Martin first on what route to go down, because I want my final major project to demonstrate my expertise and knowledge in this sector. I am doing a three main print articles as the profession I want to go down is motoring journalism , which focuses on a lot of print base production, and by creating three main print articles with images and interviewee’s will show to my future employer the skills I have to fulfil in my career and they would expect.
Currently in my research, I have looked into the infrastructure and market for alternative fuelled cars. Even though we have more electric chargering points than petrol stations, the problem is that they are inconvieniently placed, making journeys more anxious for electric car driver’s. Hydrogen on the other hand is lacking in filling stations with only 17 in operation in the UK. In Germany, there are currently 60 hydrogen filling stations, so is the UK just not up to speed with the rest of Europe tackling the rise in low-emission cars?
Another problem alternative fuelled cars are having to face are their running costs, or shall I say, lacking in running costs. Petrol and diesel car owners pay road tax and fuel tax, but electric and hydrogen cars, they don’t produce any emissions, meaning no road tax and no fuel is needed apart from hydrogen which doesn’t comply with tax yet. This shows that the government are receiving no money from these eco-conscious car owner’s, so instead the government have suggested a pay-per-mile scheme in which you will pay tax on how far your journey is. The longer the journey, the more tax you’ll pay. This complies to all car owner’s electric, hydrogen, petrol, diesel and hybrid.
The simple answer is both. Range anxiety, long charging, expensive to buy, scrapped government grant and no noise are the downsides with the electric car. But, cheaper running costs, energy rates, a home charging point and cheap electricity are the upsides. So where do we stand? Are they generating a new world for the automotive industry or are they just a complete waste of time?
I spoke to Katie Heskett who bought a Nissan Leaf in September 2018, and after covering 5,500 miles and six and half months of ownership, she told me about her experience with living with an electric car.
The biggest problem with electric cars and especially the Nissan Leaf is the range and whether range anxiety has become a problem, Katie’s experience shows that her driving has changed, she said: ”You always are becoming much more aware of your driving. You have to plan your journey, but there are a lot of apps to help you track down the nearest charging points. The car will help you do that.”
The second-generation Nissan Leaf was launched last year, however there are plenty of the older MK1 Nissan Leafs on the used car market which have a lot more problems in terms of charging times. The Leaf when launched in 2011 and had a charging time of around 11-13 hours until the introduction of DC rapid-charging.
Nissan Leaf on charge
So, how does the new Leaf compare for charging times? There are many places to charge up, but Katie’s dilemma is the fact that there is charging points around, but the timing is still a problem,
She added: ”Any charging points that are public i.e. service stations which take a lot less time, but from home it’a about seven hours to charge or 45 minutes when coming from the national grid. But they are trying to improve and reduce the charging times. They want to shorten it to the equivalent to filling up at a petrol station.”
An electric car may have different driving characteristics due to having no engine, gearbox or noise, but Katie had a similar opinion when I asked her.
She explained: ”It’s different because there is no noise. You have to be very aware of pedestrians. I don’t always know when the car is on or off. But, it’s a really lovely car to drive, it’s light, nimble, quick and cheap to run. Other than the noise, it’s not much different to a normal car.”
The biggest plus point for owning an electric car are the running costs, but are they cheaper than a normal conventional diesel or petrol vehicle? Katie agreed that her Leaf is cheaper and there are multiple benefits because of that.
She said: ”The electricity companies are coming up with packages such as green tariffs, they give you cheaper rates between certain hours. Normally between 12am and 6am and to charge the car fully only costs £4.”
On charge
Most importantly though, have there been any downsides in the near-seven months of ownership with an electric car like the Nissan Leaf.
Katie added: ”It is the frustrating range element. Everything else about the car is great. It’s just the range anxiety, companies such as BP are introducing new charging points meaning more people with electric cars will have a process and infrastructure, and people need to understand that more and more people are buying electric cars and somewhere like Rownhams Service Station only has two charging points which is not enough.”
the Nissan Leaf’s unique selling point
What have we learned then? We now know there are more positives with electric cars (energy packages and faster charging), they are a lot cheaper to run than normal cars and they are a lot cleaner than any other type of vehicle. However, there is still a problem with range and charging times. In order for them to bring any appeal at all is to have those two bases covered in years to come, because otherwise relating back to the title, electric cars are still a long way away from being as practical as a traditional petrol or diesel car.
Rare, interesting and beautiful. That is the three main goals for a car to reach for it to become a classic. A crock is a car that is none of the above and will not be worth any sentimental value in years to come.
Back in 2003, BBC’s Top Gear did a similar feature with a ‘Classic wall’: Identifying the cars that they think will become classics and those which won’t.
Nearly every motoring manufacturer has made a car which has led to become a classic, some examples are, the Jaguar E-type, Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Honda S800 and the Volkswagen Golf GTi. All these cars had at least two of the three star qualities to become classics. They are either, beautiful and interesting or rare and interesting or rare and beautiful.
Some examples of cars that have become crocks over the years are, the Morris Marina, Austin Allegro, Nissan Sunny, Mitsubishi Mirage and the Chrysler PT Cruiser. As none of these were particularly interesting, beautiful or rare.
(Crock) Mitsubishi Mirage: A car with no charisma, style, flair, driving enjoyment or residuals.
Rarity is one of the most important aspects of classic cars, the less of them – whether little production or they are at the age where none are left on the road – the better. It will keep residuals values up (how much a car losses money when it gets older) and will be more appreciative to car enthusiasts. This is particularly noticable with special editions or certain cars produced in limited numbers such as the Toyota Yaris GRMN, Honda S2000 GT Edition 100 and the Ford Focus RS.
These two cars are examples of future classics. Even the Honda S2000 was on sale from 1999-2009 in the UK, it wasn’t sold in huge numbers, plus the Edition 100 variant was extremely rare. When new, this car was £28,995, now ten years later, a low-mileage example can be picked up from £25,000 showing little in depreciation and considering this car was worth around £20,000 a couple of years ago, shows there is potential for value to increase further. It’s rare, interesting, is equipped with Honda#s VTEC engine and it was quite a pretty car, meaning all the boxes are ticked for it to become a classic.
First iterations (or generations) of cars are also a habit of becoming classics. Basically, the first chapter of a model from a manufacturer and if the car was good and class-leading it definitely would have a higher chance of becoming a future classic. Examples would be the first-generation of Ford Focus (1998-2005), Ford Ka (1996-2008), Toyota Yaris (1999-2005) and even the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (1998-2005).
These cars are going to become classics because they were game changers in their segments. They developed a different approach and image to their manufacturers and sales even though they weren’t rare, they were popular. In fact, being interesting and good looking, which all of them were, means two out of three, making them classics.
If you have a car which is rare in particular, the advice would be to hang on to it. Car enthusiasts love exclusivity and it makes a car feel special. Rare cars are definitely one of the most important attributes for it to become a classic, which will over time keep its value strong compared to a crock, loosing a lot of its value and will plummet in depreciation.
They come in all shapes and sizes. Quality or budget. Expensive or cheap. There is always a model diecast car to suit any petrol head.
Whether you’re into Fords, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins or even Mazdas, there is a vast variety of models to choose out there. But why are they so collectable, and why is it the case of leaving them in the box and just admiring them?
Well, first of all some are rarer than others and you wouldn’t want to take them out of the box just in case they got damaged. Instead they are to be admired. Some of my favourite diecast makers are Minichamps, Hi-Story, Ebbro and Kyosho as they have a blend of detail, quality, value and choice. And when I say choice, I mean cars that you may never of heard of – the Daihatsu Naked by any chance?
As a collector,I look for rarity and quality as this is a recipe for making money as well as fully appreciating an impressive model collection. For example the picture below represents a model that you may not see in Europe.
They may all be Toyotas and the interior quality may not be the best, but for sheer rarity and detailed exteriors, I rate these highly because from some angles they look like real cars.
What makes them so special and rare is that they are actually made by Toyota to put into its Japanese showrooms, which then buyers can purchase.
Toyota Vitz: Size 1/30Toyota Land Cruiser: Size 1/30Toyota 86: Size 1/30
Sizes of models can vary, the biggest can be 1/8 scale, which basically means that the model is eight times smaller than the real thing. Although 1/12, 1/18, 1/24, 1/30, are the most common being 1/43 and very small is 1/64 size as this is 64 times smaller than the real thing.
Prices normally range higher the bigger the scale. Model cars can range in price, with Minichamps and Ebbro normally selling its diecasts for around £30-£40. But, depending on production and rarity, those prices can escalate to £100-£500.
The 1/30 Toyota models on the screen can start from around £25 if you buy direct from Japan. But models that have higher potential in terms of rarity and limited production runs, which can reach a truly eye-watering £500, even £750 – mad.
Being a car enthusiast, model diecast cars can become a collection. One can turn into a small town of model cars. This is not necessarily a bad thing as looking back at a collection of diecast cars makes people fully appreciate your commitment and passion for being into and liking cars. It’s the same with train, bus and plane enthusiasts. They collect diecast models the same as a car nut would.
Different model makes such as Minichamps also like to include a lot of rally and motorsport vehicles as by having a wide selection of all different types of cars attracts buyers on a wider prospect.
When I said that size 1/43 is the most common, I mean that it is the most prominent among makers and buyers as they are just the right size. 1/64 can often be too small and 1/12 can mainly become too big, whereas 1/43 scale models often have a great blend of value, quality and practicality.
Park assist, keyless entry, push button start and Bluetooth: Do we really need all of this technology in our cars?
Yes and no is the answer in my opinion. Car manufacturers these days focus on three things: economy, safety and technology. But, technology has become so advanced over the last 20 years that you almost wouldn’t believe what modern cars can do.
In the early 1990s, if you said to someone that you could air conditioning on a budget city car, you would of thought they were barking mad. But today even the cheapest cars on sale can offer satellite navigation, cruise control and more.
These creature comforts have become a standard feature in today’s car world, but I do think that some features are pure gimmicks and are a complete waste of time. For example, gesture control? It means that if you wave your arm around in the cabin you can control the car stereo stations and volume, but what’s the matter with the volume control on the steering wheel? Then you have voice activation: “phone Mum…did you say Radio 1?” You get the picture. Voice activation is a very lazy way of using a vehicle, if you can’t wait to phone someone, pull over and speak to them.
Then we have park assist, also known as parking sensors. They are little sensors that beep to tell the driver how close you are to any obstacles or cars behind you. Why? What is the matter with your spatial awareness and actually turning your head when parking. Also you become reliant on them, say they have broken and your waiting for that beep, you are reversing straight into the wall without any warning.
Bluetooth, even though it has been around for along time now, still creates controversy among car owners. Some systems in cars are a doddle to hook up your phone to. But others you need a BA Honours degree in digital technology to fathom out how to connect a mobile phone to your car’s dashboard. Technology for economy also is a pointless investment into a car’s development, such as ‘shift indicators’. Basically, a little light will illuminate to tell the driver when the best possible time is to change gear. But, I’m the driver, I know when to change gear? I don’t need a little light to think it knows best, we are the drivers, we know when an engine needs to change gear.
Shift indicatorBluetooth device
On a brighter note though, there are some pieces of tech that can be quite useful. Firstly, reversing cameras. I prefer these to park assist because it gives you actual eyes in the back of your head (technically). A check surrounds for safety message allows the driver to look first before parking as well as guide lines to tell you where about you should be parking.
The next item is power-folding door mirrors – I love them. From a simple press of a button your mirrors will fold away to make parking in tight gaps a whole lot easier, as well it protects them from any damage they may occur if they were folded out, these are one of the best and simplest inventions that the car maker’s have to offer. It will always be the same, some technology will work and others won’t. Gimmick or genius invention, there will always be new technology. That is technological advancement, so it’s not all bad news.
The Toyota Parallel Pomeroy Trophy was designed for all aspiring Toyota owners and enthusiasts to gather and compete in a series of events at the racing circuit, Silverstone.
The question is now, why don’t other car manufacturers do these events for their customers?
You can see why Toyota are one of the best companies, when it comes to customer relations.
Toyota GB stand at the Parallel trophy 2019
With roughly 35 Toyota’s competing, and owners coming from across the country it was certainly a day to remember. A range of different Toyota models competed, ranging from the tiny iQ up to the sporty rally-influenced Celica GT4.
The event was very professional, everyone was treated with respect and all the cars had full appreciation. The day began with having to sign in along with gathering all the information of what to expect from the day.
Toyota Yaris T Sport Phase 2 and 1, Toyota Yaris GRMN
Every car was given a number and all cars went through scrutineering to make sure that they were road worthy. Leading onto a competitors briefing just to go through all of the rules to make sure no one cheats or fails.
Three auto tests were set to see how each car performed. Test A involved a slalom to see how agile the cars were, and then having to brake between the final two cones. Test B was an acceleration and braking maneouvre and Test C was a braking and reversing test involving straddling and astriding between lines to test the skills of the driver.
The auto tests consisted of one section in the morning and then one again in the afternoon, alongside the owners being timed and scored to receive the Pomeroy Trophy.
One opportunity that you can’t turn down is a parade lap of the full Silverstone circuit. This is what happened half way through the day with no drivers allowed to overtake but enjoyed a warm up lap, a pedal-to-the-metal lap and then a cool-down lap. This leads us back to the question of why other car manufacturers aren’t offering this to their customers?
Cars lined up ready to go out on track
I certainly would recommend it to other manufacturers, because it makes customers appreciate the company more which in return leads the customer back to that showroom to buy again in the future. Toyota as a brand have just boosted their image even higher on the customer satisfaction survey. Simply giving something back to the customer on days like this is what all manufactures should be doing – excellent work Toyota.
Cars lined up ready to go out on track
Rounding off the day, the event concluded with the results with everyone receiving a Vintage Sports Car Club Pomeroy Tankard with the competitors names engraved in the cup – the winner recieved a large tankard.
The event finished around 4pm, competitors decided to make a move, but be sure that Toyota will be doing another event like this in the near future.
Elderly drivers, we see them coming along a busy road and we pull out as soon as possible! Due to their age we think that they are going to be slow, unpredictable and dangerous, but is that the case?
Hanging up the car keys
We’ve all heard those stories! The old man in his K registered brown Rover going the wrong way around Sainsbury’s roundabout or the old lady driving up the wrong way of the motorway. People over the age of 70 are at a higher risk of causing road accidents, deaths and casualties due to poor eye sight, lack of judgement, speed, concentration and hearing.
Last month saw the accident involving the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. The pictures told the story with his Land Rover Freelander on its side. But we may forget that the Duke of Edinburgh is 97-years-old! Is that too old to be driving a vehicle? Should it be that it takes an accident like this where a innocent persons life was in danger before the individual realises their driving skills are not as good as they once were? Luckily since the accident, Prince Philip has retired from driving, but in July 2017 figures suggest that 108,777 drivers in the UK are over the age of 90 which is a very high number.
Re-taking a driving test
Is there a solution? Or is it a good idea to force people over the age of 70 to have a refresher course to see if they are still capable of driving safely?
In conversation with my grand parents Kenneth and Gloria Richards, they are very capable and observant drivers. Being the ages of 89 and 83 years of age, I asked a few questions on what they thought about elderly drivers and whether they agree on any restrictions and enforcement’s.
Q’s
Do you think if a person is too old to be driving it should be down to the individual. Or should it be down to the government and relatives to decide?
”It should be down to the individual, we are not all the same. Some people of an age should be straight off the road but some others not at all. Some are more capable than others”.
As drivers of an older generation, do you feel that people over the age of 70 should have a refresher test or re-test for their license?
”Yes. We do think people over 70 do forget things, they are a bit inclined to think that they are better than they are and should be checked. That goes for us too”.
Do you think that both of your driving skills have got worse over the last couple of years?
My Grandmother went onto to say, ”No we think both of our driving levels have stayed the same, your grandfathers reflexes are still the same and his observation is just as good as it was 20 years ago”
Not all elderly drivers are dangerous. Some are very good in fact, but the problem is that taking advice and having a possible refresher course could be vital for some. It would make elderly people realise if their driving isn’t safe or up to speed whether they should continue driving or not. In the UK it is still up to the driver on whether it is time to hang up the keys. But should there be intervention from the Government (DVLA) or family members, to make that decision?
When you’re a student, it can be tricky to get on the road at an affordable price. Take into account tax, petrol, maintenance and insurance, car ownership is quite simply, a financial nightmare. However, if you set yourself a realistic budget and stick to it, there are several cars that you can get behind the wheel of, building your way onto the car ownership ladder. They are…
Toyota Yaris (1999-2005)
The first iteration of Toyota’s supermini was a ground-breaking car. Great looks, economical engines, bulletproof reliability, durability and quality, the Yaris was certainly a car that you can trust as well as enjoy owning. Its oddball design may not be to everyone’s taste, but that’s what makes the Yaris left-field; a sensible choice among buyers. The interior looked as though it had been designed from the next century, with curves and a centrally-mounted digital dashboard made the Yaris extremely futuristic compared to the competition. A clever sliding rear seat to increase boot space or legroom also benefits the Yaris in being one of the most ingenious small cars around. Added to that, punchy 1.0-litre, 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) petrol engines gives decent economy while delivering decent power. (Insurance group: 5 for a 1.0 T Spirit model)
The first-generation Yaris is one of the best small cars around. (Toyota)
Honda Jazz (2001-2008)
The Honda Jazz, like the Toyota Yaris, is an extremely reliable and sensible choice for young car buyers. Practicality is the main priority with the Jazz, a standard five-door body style, as well as having one of the biggest boots in the small car sector; managing to swallow a bicycle. The Jazz certainly won’t disappoint in the space department, however the Jazz’s overall design may put young people off because of the boxy shape and tall roof line, but if you ignore that, than the Jazz should be at the top of any student’s car shopping list, because if you want a practical, reliable cheap car, the Jazz is in a class of its own. (Insurance Group: 12 for a 1.2-litre S model)
The Honda Jazz is a very practical choice. (Honda)
Nissan Micra (2002-2010)
If you want a car big on technology, the Nissan Micra has a Mercedes-Benz in its sights. Models built between 2002-2010 were the third generation, and personally speaking, one of the best Micras ever produced. If you want automatic air condoning, keyless entry, parking sensors and automatic headlights, the Micra can offer all of that for less that £1,500. If you go for an SE model, you will be able to find all of that equipment for around £1,300. Furthermore, its cute looks and clever sliding rear seat, the Micra is a great all-round cheap car for students. (Insurance group: 6 for a 1.0-litre E model)
The Nissan Micra K12 was built in Sunderland, UK. (Nissan)
Mitsubishi Colt (2004-2013)
The Mitsubishi Colt has always been a very affordable proposition, as well as great engines and a spacious cabin, the Colt is all about the simplicity of car ownership; getting you from A to B with the smallest amount of fuss. The interior quality may not be the best with scratchy hard, brittle plastics scattered everywhere, but you have to look beyond that with the Colt and see it for being an extremely cheap car to insure, which for a student is more important than anything else with the 1.1-litre CZ1 model sitting in insurance group 10. (Insurance group: 10 for a 1.1-litre CZ1 model)
The Colt is a sensible choice. (Mitsubishi)
Mazda2 (2003-2007)
The Mazda2 is basically a Ford Fiesta underneath, but don’t let that put you off. The Mazda 2 was Mazda’s first proper small car sold in Europe. It demonstrated that small cars, like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz, could be practical. Like the Jazz, the Mazda2 has a high roof line and boxy shape to give occupants inside the most possible space, as well as economical engines make the Mazda2 a really easy car to drive and live with, and because it’s Japanese, it certainly won’t be an endless money pit. (Insurance group: 7 for a 1.25-litre S model)
The Mazda2 is a left-field option. (Mazda)
Toyota Aygo (2005-2014)
Built in conjunction with Citroen and Peugeot, the Toyota Aygo makes the top 10 because of its rock-bottom running costs. It will cost £30 a year in road tax; it can deliver a fuel economy figure of 60mpg, while Sport and Active Plus models sit in insurance group two. Any student will really appreciate the running costs of the Toyota Aygo, plus it has plenty of equipment such as a USB port and auxiliary cables, so young drivers can hook up their music to the car’s stereo. It’s also offered in a choice of bold colours and decals to make everyone’s Aygo stand out from the rest of the crowd. (Insurance group: 2 for a 1.0-litre Fire model)
The Aygo provides ultra-low running costs. (Toyota)
Ford Fiesta (2002-2008)
A nation’s favourite, with the current Fiesta at the top of the best-sellers list and it’s easy to see why. Affordable pricing, good looks and cheap insurance means the Ford Fiesta is still one of the best cars for students, especially if you just want a no nonsense state of the art car. Available with either a three or five-door body styles, the Fiesta offers a lot for the younger driver with sporty models such as Zetec S which add a touch of enhanced styling while keeping small engines to keep insurance groups at bay. (Insurance group: 5 for a 1.3-litre Finesse model)
The Fiesta is a great small car. (Ford)
Volkswagen Polo (2001-2009
It maybe a tad boring, but the Volkswagen Polo is a dependable solid car that will deliver a comfortable driving experience. The looks might not get your hearts racing or the interior which is about as grey as a businessman’s suit. Overlooking those negatives and the Polo is a very good car. The engines maybe weedy, but they provide low insurance and impressive fuel economy and the Polo has a big-car feel which will encourage and give the driver full peace of mind when behind the wheel. (Insurance group: 5 for a 1.2-litre Twist model)
The Polo is a sturdy and practical first car. (Volkswagen)
Hyundai Getz (2002-2008)
Not a popular choice, but it’s certainly a wise one. The Hyundai Getz was one of the best cars to come out of Korean back in the mid 00s due to its European design, decent ride, handling and affordable pricing. The 1.1-litre and 1.3-litre petrol engines are powerful enough while retaining fantastic fuel economy, and because it’s a Hyundai; it comes with reliability built in as standard. Also the flagship CDX trim comes with a sunroof, air conditioning and four electric windows. (Insurance group: 9 for a 1.1-litre CDX)
The Hyundai Getz changed the brand’s image. (Hyundai)
Honda Civic (2001-2006)
A Japanese car built in the UK, Swindon precisely. The Honda Civic like any other Japanese car has legendary reliability, alongside excellent customer care. The Civic brings a touch of perceived quality in a practical hatchback body. A smooth range of engines and comfortable driving experience puts the Civic at the top of the list for those looking for an easy-to-drive and practical car. The three-door model is a better looking car than the five-door, but all models come lavishly equipped, and even top-specified variants such as the SE Executive come with a full leather interior. The Honda Civic is a great car for a student looking for something a little different from the small hatchback class. (Insurance group: 9 for a 1.4-litre Vision model)
The Honda Civic is good to drive and spacious. (Honda)
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