News
General Election 2010, next week!
So, the time has rolled around again and its time to vote!
Both parties are looking pretty much the same this time around. If your like me a try to stay away from politics, its still always good to inform yourself about the big issuses, especially for a small comunity such as van drivers. So, here are some links to the different parties stances on such things as the environment, energy and emission reduction.
First, the Labour Party:
http://www.labour.org.uk/manifesto/home
and their ideas for a greener Britian.(it makes interesting reading)
Then the Conservatives:
http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Manifesto.aspx
Then the environmental policy ( they seem to be using the ‘change’ slogan that worked so well across the pond)
And then the Lib. Dems.
and their slogan is ‘fair’ (sounds reasonable)
http://www.libdems.org.uk/our_manifesto.aspx
Have fun with that, and then next week get out there and exercise your democratic right!
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News
“Commercial vehicles: efficient, flexible, future-proof” is the headline
The 63rd International Motor Show for commercial vehicles in Hanover, Germany is opening its doors from september 23rd to 30th.
Stay tuned for first hand information, travel tips and more.
Click here to get a free map of the IAA.
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Who killed the Electric Car?
Did General Motors deliberately sabotage the marketing of electric cars because they threatened the motor industry? That’s the allegation made in a controversial new documentary. Take a look a this video…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AU3_2IT8k8&feature=player_embedded
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Jones’ Big Ass Truck Rental & Storage!
Meet Toby Jones, he’ll store anything you want for $10.99. T-shirts are now on sale on his company website “www.jonesbigasstruckrentalandstorage.com”. Buy a t-shirt and get a free month of storage! Unbelievable….
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The Congestion Charge – part 2
The Congestion Charge
Introduced in London in 2003, extended in 07, designed to reduce traffic in the Capital, seven years on we ask ourselves is it a success or a failure?
Implementing the charge
Well success or a failure the Congestion Charge has had a huge impact on London. Large red circles with a white ‘c’ in the middle let you know that you are entering the zone. There are 400 camera positions throughout the congestion charging zone. The cameras use an automatic number plate recognition system to read the plates of vehicles coming in and out of town.
The £8 charge can be paid at Texaco petrol stations and on-line. There is a hefty charge for not paying.
Pros and Cons
On the plus side
London Transport claims that 21% less traffic comes into London that is 70,000 fewer cars a day.
The amount of traffic entering central London during charging hours has been cut by around 20%… It contributing to the growth of cycling, with more people than ever before travelling by bike – there has been a 72% increase in the number of cyclists on the capital’s major roads since 2000.
There has been a six per cent increase in bus passengers during charging hours
And £137m has been raised, in the financial year 2007/08, to invest back into improving transport in London
Cons
On the other hand the charge has proved controversial in the outer areas of London, where it has encouraged commuters who previously drove into central London to instead park at suburban railways or underground stations.
Despite less traffic, congestion has still not improved due to large scale road and gas main works reducing the capacity of many roads.
Business
The impact on businesses in the capital has been mixed with London transport claiming it to be neutral.
Some shops and businesses are however reported to be heavily affected by the charge, both in terms of lost sales due to reduced traffic and increased delivery costs.
As for the man on the street (or man with a van in our case) there have been many reports of simply adding the charge onto the end price.
Pollution
Surface transport accounts for 22% of London’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and there are many mixed claims about emission reductions.To this you also have to take into account that inside the zone there may be a reduction and outside the zone an increase. If you want to find out more on this subject click the London Air Quality Network web site at: www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/information.asp
Are you a Londoner? Have you worked in or around London? Do you have an opinion about the congestion charge? If so then let us know.
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What about that VW T3 crash test?
Take a closer look at the supposed VW Transporter crash test. Are they testing the van or the facility;-)
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Sprinter jet van
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The Congestion Charge
The Congestion Charge
The hotly debated Congestion Charge introduced in London in 2003. Claims were that it would not only reduce traffic in the Capital but also pollution and raise money for needed public transport improvements.
Seven years on with an extended zone and now costing £8 for a private vehicle (£7 for a fleet vehicle) we are going to take a closer look at the charge.
The Charge itself
The Congestion Charge is a daily charge for driving in a certain part of central London. It operates between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday and is £8.
Since the Congestion Charge scheme started:
- Traffic entering the zone is 21 per cent lower than pre-charge levels (70,000 fewer cars a day)
- There has been a six per cent increase in bus passengers during charging hours
£137m has been raised, in the financial year 2007/08, to invest back into improving transport in London. By law, all net revenue raised by the charge has to be invested in improving transport in London.
The area covered
As of 19 February 2007 the zone boundary, starts at the northern end of Vauxhall Bridge and heads along the northern bank of the Thames
From there, it continues north, skirting Kensington and Earls Court, part of the A3220, then continuing to the A40 Westway and the Weast Cross Route.
The boundary includes parts of North Kensington, the read boundary being defined by the West london Line railway track, which runs between Latimer Road (inside the zone) and Wood lane (outside the zone), tillScrubs Lane, then turning east, following the Great Western Main Line out of Paddington towards Ladbroke Grove. Then it follows the Grand Union Canal and rejoins the existing zone at Edgware Road after skirting Paddington.
Exempt routes
The charge has defined some free through routes, where drivers do not have to pay. The main route is defined by the western boundary of the original zone Vauxhall Bridge Road, Grosvenor Place, Park lane and the Edgware Road, with some additions around Victoria. The Westway is also exempt.
More tommorow about traffic changes and the effects on London.
( If you live in London or Durham and have something to say about the charge then let us know your opinion)
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In-wheel electric drive systems for larger vehicles?!
The company Protean Electric develops and manufactures in-wheel electric drive systems for hybrid and battery electric vehicles. That sounds interesting due to discussions about C02 emission of larger vehicles, resp. vans!??
http://www.proteanelectric.com/live/
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Around Manhatten island in a van!
How difficult is daily business? Drove around the Island of Manhattan in a Ford Transit Connect a vehicle that’s ready for work.
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Last time in Glasgow’s historic Anderston!
Hello together, last time I enjoy my dinner at a nice place with artists and musicians in Glasgow. Take a look if you be there… cheers Claus
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A comparison between the new vs. old VW Transporter!
Very interesting test, but it is not really easy to understand because this video is in Dutch. Whatever – the important thing is that the test was useful, or?!
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Councils all over the world need more zero emission vehicles
The video shows a Modec testimonial in Islington and why it is important to use zero emission vehicle in the cities. What is your opinion on this matter?
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Funny Mercedes advert
This is funny!
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Electric Van – How time flies 1940!
In 1940 some manufactors started to delevoped a new kind of vehicle focused on driving through the country lanes and busy streets and with the ability to park in a small space between two larger cars.
Here the driver demonstrates the practicalities of the new vehicle as he drives along the busy city streets. The commentator suggests that this vehicle is the answer to petrol rationing. What do you think? Why has it taken the industry or the manufactors such a long time to change!
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