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Emergency services have joined forces with National Highways to remind drivers not to ignore the red X sign after one council revealed it had prosecuted almost 10,000 drivers.

The red X is used to close lanes when an obstruction such as a broken-down vehicle is detected in the road ahead.

Abiding by the signal is vital to avoid a potentially serious collision.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Roads Policing, said: “Red X signals are in place on the motorway for your safety and the safety of others.

“Sadly, there are too many instances where motorists fail to comply with a red X signal and put others in incredible danger by driving in a closed lane. This is unacceptable and drivers who do so need to understand they face prosecution.”

In June 2019, there was a change in legislation which meant cameras can automatically detect vehicles that ignore a red X and as of September last year all police forces have been able to enforce the cameras.

The cameras can be used to automatically detect vehicles passing illegally under a red X or entering the lane beyond a red X, which can result in a fixed penalty of up to £100 and three points or, in some cases, more severe penalties or a court appearance.

The majority of drivers – more than 90% – comply with the red X, although thousands have been prosecuted for not doing so, according to National Highways.

Surrey Police was one of the first forces to begin enforcing camera detected red X offences in November 2019.

Since then, there have been 9,427 first Notices of Intended Prosecution sent out by the force.

Of these, over half – 4,926 – have so far completed a safety awareness course, while others selected alternative disposal options such as paying a fixed penalty or having the matter heard at court.

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “This is a very worrying statistic. For some time we’ve been concerned that red Xs displayed on signs at the side of the road aren’t nearly as clear as those positioned on gantries directly above each lane.

“We fear this may be a factor in some of the non-compliance. For this reason, it would be helpful to know drivers’ reasons for not obeying red Xs.

“If it’s the case drivers say they hadn’t seen or understood signs at the side of the road then there may be an argument for installing more expensive gantry signage.

“It’s critical drivers obey the red X as it’s often the first line of defence for anyone stranded in a live lane of smart motorway traffic.”

Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) managing director, Martin Flaherty, says it is important to remember that 999 ambulances on blue lights may be trying to reach critically ill patients on motorway lanes where red X signals are in force, for example, after a serious road traffic collision.

“If those lanes are blocked by drivers who should not be there, ambulance crews could be delayed in reaching patients who urgently need our life saving skills,” he added.

“We want drivers to understand that a lane closed by a red X is for the safety of all – and especially to help protect the scene of an accident and those emergency and essential services who may be on the carriageway to deal with the aftermath.” 

The message was the same from Dan Quin, road lead for transportation at the National Fire Chiefs Council.

He explained: “When used in the event of emergencies, they provide invaluable access to the scene of an incident, preventing time lost in negotiating the build-up of traffic.

“Red X signals also provide safety for workers while on the road, including emergency services and the public, by reducing the risk of further collisions.

“Ignoring red X signals is dangerous, it is an offence, and all road users have a role to play in complying with them.”

It has been an offence for more than two decades to drive in a lane closed by a red X.

National Highways traffic officer, Dave Harford, said: “We don’t take the decision to close lanes lightly, but when we do, drivers must obey the closure.

“A red X signal is there for the safety of everyone on the road – including people in difficulty, traffic officers, recovery and emergency services helping them, and all other road users besides.

“Thankfully, the vast majority of drivers do comply with the signals but those who don’t put themselves and others at risk.”

National Highways says that if your vehicle has a problem, or you get into trouble on a motorway, stay calm and try to exit at the next junction or motorway service area.

If that’s not possible, put your left indicators on, move into the left lane, enter the next emergency area, or hard shoulder, put your hazard lights on, get behind a safety barrier where there is one and keep well away from moving traffic.

Drivers should also call National Highways on 0300 123 5000 then a breakdown provider for help.

If you are unable to exit your vehicle and get to a safe place, have stopped in a live traffic lane or feel your life is in danger, National Highways says that you should stay in your vehicle with your seatbelts and hazard lights on and call 999 immediately or press the SOS button in your car.

Antony Kildare, CEO IAM RoadSmart, says it is “quite simple”.

“A red X means trouble ahead and has exactly the same legal force as a red traffic light.

“With new technology the police can take action and you can be fined and have points placed on your licence. It’s just not worth the risk to gain a few places in the queue.” By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The way the advisory electricity rate (AER) is calculated has been changed in order to better reflect prices when it is reviewed quarterly, HMRC has confirmed.

Previously, the rate used by many companies to reimburse electric company car drivers for business mileage had been based solely on an annual figure published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and the electrical energy consumption values for each car model, provided by the Department for Transport (DfT).

HMRC will continue to use the BEIS and DfT data but will now incorporate figures published in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) quarterly index for domestic electricity, a figure which formed part of the Consumer Price Index, when it reviews the AER quarterly.

An HMRC spokesperson told Fleet News: “Using this methodology provides a more up to date guide for employers and employees to calculate what tax needs to be paid for electric car usage.

“HMRC keeps the AER rate under regular review and will be publishing further details on how it calculates the AER rate in due course.”

HMRC announced in November that the AER would increase from 5ppm to 8ppm from December 1, and the reimbursement rate would also be reviewed quarterly in line with advisory fuel rates (AFRs).

In 2017, the average cost of standard electricity in the UK was 14.4p per kWh and was used to calculate the first AER, which was introduced in September 2018.

The average per kWh price for electricity was 34p at the end of last year.

Just one in eight drivers (12.2%) thinks that the current 5ppm reimbursement rate reflects the true cost of charging an EV, according to a Fleet News poll.

Almost three-quarters (73.5%) of respondents believe it should be 10ppm or more, while one in five (20.2%) say it should be three times the current rate, with drivers receiving 15ppm to cover their charging costs. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Hertz has struck a deal with Polestar to purchase up to 65,000 electric vehicles (EVs) over the next five years.

Vehicles are due to start joining the rental company’s European fleet this spring with the new EVs joining operations in north America and Australia later this year.

The partnership with Polestar builds on Hertz’s announcement last October to offer its customers the largest EV rental fleet in north America and one of the largest in the world.

“We are excited to partner with Polestar and look forward to introducing their premium EV products into our retail and rideshare fleets,” said Stephen Scherr, Hertz CEO.

“Today’s partnership with Polestar further builds on our ambition to become a leading participant in the modern mobility ecosystem and doing so as an environmentally-forward company.

“By working with EV industry leaders like Polestar, we can help accelerate the adoption of electrification while providing renters, corporate customers and rideshare partners a premium EV product, exceptional experience and lower carbon footprint.”

Polestar reported that it nearly tripled volumes in 2021 and anticipates more than doubling volumes again this year. It expects volumes to reach 290,000 vehicles per year by the end of 2025.

“Polestar is committed to accelerating the move to electric mobility with a fascinating and innovative product portfolio,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.

“We are delighted that Hertz has chosen Polestar as a strategic partner on their road to electrification.

“The partnership with a global pioneer like Hertz will bring the amazing experience of driving an electric car to a wider audience, satisfying a broad variety of our mutual customers’ short- and longer-term mobility requirements.

“For many of them it may be the first time they have driven an EV, and it will be a Polestar.”

Hertz will initially order the Polestar 2, which has a 78kWh battery providing a WLTP range of 292 miles and a rapid charge time of 0-80% in 40 minutes.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Allstar has launched Homecharge, a new payment solution for fleet operators that require employees to charge their business vehicles at home.

Homecharge provides businesses with visibility of home charging across their fleets, with all charging costs coming through on one consolidated invoice. Any home charging payments are made directly to their drivers’ energy supplier.

The new service is powered my EV charging payment specialist Mina, which recently agreed a similar partnership with ev.charge.

For employees, Homecharge can mitigate any out-of-pocket expenses, administration or bill shock – something that Allstar says has never been more critical with the steep rise in energy prices.

Drivers have access to their home charging history through the Allstar Driver Homecharge portal which they can also use to manage home energy tariffs details, have visibility over home charging sessions, and view when and how much EV charging has been paid for by their employer.

Combined with Allstar’s fuel and electric charging card, Allstar One Electric, drivers can access on the road charging too, with more than 5,000 charge points across a multi-branded EV charging network.

Allstar One Electric has been added as a payment in the Zap-Map app, providing additional enhanced features to search, plan and pay for charging across the Allstar electric charging network.

Paul Holland, managing director of UK Fuel at Allstar Business Solutions, said: “Increasingly, UK businesses are migrating their fleets to electric vehicles. With that comes additional responsibilities and considerations when it comes to fleet management, including facilitating home charging and facilitating payments for work-related usage.

 “Allstar Homecharge is supporting the many businesses that have already started to transition to EV fleets, as well as those who are planning to, by providing the payment processes and infrastructure needed to do this securely and seamlessly. It is the first of its kind to simplify EV charging payments for drivers and businesses when at home.” By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Ford is testing a new connected traffic light system that can automatically turn green for emergency vehicles.

The system can also interact with the adaptive cruise control in Ford passenger cars, allowing the vehicle to adjust its speed on approach, therefore reducing congestion.

The trial was part of a broader project that involved testing automated and connected vehicles and networked infrastructure in highway, urban and rural areas.

“Whether it’s a fire engine attending a blaze or an ambulance that is en route to an accident, the last thing anyone wants is for these drivers to be caught up among other vehicles waiting for the lights to change,” said Martin Sommer, research engineer, Automated Driving Europe, Ford of Europe.

In order to test the technology, Ford utilised a road with eight consecutive traffic lights in Aachen, Germany, and two stretches with three consecutive traffic lights just outside the city, all set up by the project’s partners.

For testing an emergency response situation, the test vehicle signalled to the traffic lights to turn the light green. Once the vehicle passed through the junction, the traffic lights returned to standard operation. 

For testing daily driving situations, the test vehicle received the timing information for when the traffic lights turned from red to green and green to red. Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control technology then adapted the vehicle’s speed to help ensure a higher proportion of traffic encountered a green light.

When the traffic light was red, the vehicle’s speed was reduced well ahead of the junction to time the vehicle’s approach to arrive at the light the moment it turned green, for example from 30mph to 20mph.

For vehicles encountering a red light, the technology could still help to minimise harsh braking and the time spent at a standstill. The vehicle received the traffic light information well ahead of the junction and slowed down earlier, helping to reduce congestion.

The communication between vehicles and traffic lights is enabled by C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything) technology, a unified platform that connects vehicles to roadside infrastructure, other vehicles and other road users. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The education sector will play a major part in the UK’s rollout of EV chargers, with up to 50,000 points expected to be installed at schools, colleges and universities.

Energy services company eEnergy, in partnership with EO Charging, plans to create the UK’s largest public sector charging network, making a contribution towards the Government’s 2030 target of 300,000 charge points in the UK by 2030.

An initial batch of 200 chargepoints will be fitted in April, with 2,000 expected by the end of the year.

At a time of unprecedented energy costs, installing standard EV chargers is not currently a viable option for many public sector organisations. By offering longer-term, fully serviced performance contracts, eCharge customers can install EV charging without upfront investment.

The service will also offer new revenue opportunities, with schools and other organisations able to monetise their EV charging facilities by making them available to local communities or providing charging in place of parking fees.

Harvey Sinclair, CEO of eEnergy, said: “The Government has rightly set ambitious net zero targets, and electric vehicles will play a fundamental role. However, ensuring everyone has access to reliable charging, especially for those who cannot plug in at home, poses considerable challenges.

“Like many employers, schools face a growing demand for EV chargers just as energy costs reach record highs. Our ambitious rollout will make life easier for teachers and other drivers by offering an affordable and accessible alternative.

“By pairing workplace chargers with energy-saving technologies and clean energy procurement, everything from lighting to commuting can be powered using 100% fossil-free energy, cutting energy costs, and creating new revenue opportunities for the public sector.”

There are approximately 32,000 schools, colleges, and universities, with more than 600,000 teachers, 225,000 staff and 2.66m students currently in higher education.

eEnergy expects to install up to 20 chargers per school or workplace. The company already provides energy services to more than 600 schools and 2,000 other workplaces across the UK.

Charlie Jardine, founder and CEO of EO Charging, said: “Our partnership with eEnergy ensures critical net zero infrastructure can be widely adopted by the public sector as well as businesses, making EVs accessible to more people throughout the UK.

“Together we have built a compelling solution for those who are looking to install EV chargers as part of their broader net zero strategy.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Mercedes-Benz will accept legal responsibility for collisions that occur in its cars fitted with a new Level 3 Automated Lane Keeping System.

Its new Drive Pilot system has been approved for us on German highways and can control the cars steering, acceleration and brakes at speed up to 40mph.

The car maker said it will accept liability in cases where the crash was caused by a fault with its technology, but not when the driver has “failed to comply with their duty of care”.

Drive Pilot will be initially offered on the S-Class and EQS, as an option, in German Markets. Mercedes also plans to introduce the technology in US markets, once it gains approval.

Matthew Avery, chief research strategy officer at Thatcham Research, said: “The issue of liability in automated vehicles is complex and nuanced. It’s too crude to suggest that the carmaker should be liable in all circumstances; there will be times when an accident is and isn’t the carmaker’s responsibility.

“What is apparent in the case of Mercedes, the first to have approval – albeit in Germany – for technology that will allow drivers to disengage and do other things, is that when the automated system is in control, the carmaker will be liable.

“What’s less straightforward is an accident that occurs when the driver has failed “to comply with their duty of care”, for example when refusing to retake control of the car when prompted.

“It will be incumbent on carmakers to ensure drivers of their cars are confident, comfortable and have a strong grasp of their legal responsibilities – which in the UK would be in accordance with the Road Traffic Act. Absolute clarity is required for drivers in terms of their legal obligations behind the wheel and their understanding of how the system operates, especially during a handover from system to driver.

“This is challenged by the fact that a driver can take a long time to come back ‘into the loop’ after extended periods of effectively being chauffeured by the system.

“Insurance claims will require scrutiny, so the provision of data to help insurers understand who was in control of the vehicle at the time of an accident, system or driver, will also be vital.

“Trust will diminish if confusion reigns and drawn-out legal cases become common, hampering adoption of the technology and the realisation of its many societal benefits.”

The Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission have published a joint report, making recommendations for the safe and responsible introduction of self-driving vehicles.

Under the Law Commissions’ proposals, when a car is authorised by a regulatory agency as having “self-driving features” and those features are in-use, the person in the driving seat would no longer be responsible for how the car drives. Instead, the company or body that obtained the authorisation – typically the vehicle manufacturer should face regulatory sanctions if anything goes wrong.

The report recommends introducing a new Automated Vehicles Act, to regulate vehicles that can drive themselves and suggests that a clear distinction should be made between features which just assist drivers, such as adaptive cruise control, and those that are self-driving.

Thatcham Research is currently leading the development of a consumer safety rating to support the safe adoption of Automated Driving Systems. Funded by government organisation Zenzic and in co-operation with Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Testbed partners, the rating will give UK motorists and insurers greater clarity around relative performance and safe use of automated technology. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News.

The number of on-street residential charge points funded by the Governments grant scheme currently stands at 2,641 with a further 8,415 approved but not yet installed, new figures suggest.

As of 1 April 2022, the data from the Department for Transport (DfT) shows that the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) has funded 2,641 public charging devices, which have been installed local authorities in the UK.

It suggests that 603 on-street charging devices were installed after being claimed for by the local authorities in the previous three months, while funding has also been awarded for 8,415 additional ORCS charging devices to be installed in the future.

The AA is warning that the DfT’s target of 120,000 on-street chargers by 2030 could be missed if more isn’t done to help promote on-street charging.

It also says that charging from a lamppost is cheaper than a typical on-the-road rapid charge point, with costs as low as 24p/kWh compared to around 45p/kWh at a rapid charge point.

Those with a home charger can unlock even cheaper rates if they can find a dedicated off-peak EV tariff.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said; “With around a third of households without any dedicated off-street parking, providing accessible and affordable local charging solutions is key.

“Ideally, drivers would like to charge as close as possible to their home, yet with around 10,000 on-street charge points currently planned, the installation rate needs to increase to more than 1,000 charge points each month just to meet the Government’s target.

“We should also remember that that many rural areas suffer from a lack of off-street parking, and we are concerned that on-street charging could become bookmarked as an urban problem.

“Sadly just 87 councils out of almost 400 across the United Kingdom have applied for the on-street residential charge point grant since 2017. This needs to dramatically improve so that EV drivers across the country have access to good, local charge points.”

Paul Hollick, chair of the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), says that as businesses move to electrify their company vehicles ahead of the Government’s 2030 deadline, the high number of drivers without space available off-road to have a charger installed is a “major obstacle to electrification”.

“This is especially the case for electric vans, whose drivers are much more likely to live in a terraced house or apartment and lack this kind of parking,” he said.

A map of the UK that shows where fleets need kerbside charge points close to the homes of company van drivers has been unveiled by the AFP.

Home and workplace charging

The new figures from the DfT also show that funding through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) and the Domestic Recharging Scheme (DRS) (the predecessor to the EVHS) have delivered 331,882 domestic charging devices since 2013.

The EVHS has funded the installation of 291,549 domestic charging devices, with 121,001 devices installed since April 1, 2021, an 86% increase compared to the previous 12-month period.

In terms of workplace charging, the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) has funded the installation of 26,424 sockets in workplace car parks since the scheme started in 2016.

It has funded 10,727 sockets installations since April 1, 2021, an increase of almost 60% compared to the previous 12-month period.

Meryem Brassington, electrification propositions lead at Lex Autolease, said: “It is reassuring to see the latest Government data showcasing the significant increase in take-up of the domestic EV charging grant across the UK.

“While this is encouraging, the Government and industry bodies must continue to work together to showcase the power of the UK’s charging infrastructure to drive the transition to an electric future and provide affordable alternatives as the cost of living continues to increase.

“This has been supported by the government’s requirement to install charge points in new homes and buildings from next year, but it is crucial that we ensure connectivity across the country and not just in city hubs.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Charging an electric car on a pay-as-you-go, non-subscription basis at a rapid charger has increased by 21% since September, new research suggests.

Analysis by the RAC’s new Charge Watch initiative and the FairCharge campaign shows that the per kilowatt hour (kWh) price has risen by 7.81p, from 36.74p to 44.55p. 

It means that the average cost to complete an 80% rapid charge of a typical family-sized electric car with a 64kWh battery has increased by £4 in the past eight months, from £18.81 to £22.81.

In stark contrast, the cost of filling a 55-litre family car from empty to 80% with petrol has increased by £14.54 to £74.21 – a 24% increase.

The RAC’s analysis shows that it now costs on average 10p per mile to charge at a rapid charger, up from 8p per mile (ppm) last September.

This is nearly half the cost per mile compared to filling a petrol-powered family car, the cost of which has risen from 15ppm since the end of last September to 19ppm now. The cost per mile for a similarly sized diesel-powered car is even higher at nearly 21p.

Meanwhile, the average price of charging at the quickest ultra-rapid chargers – which have a power output of 100kW-plus and can deliver a charge to a compatible vehicle in as little as 20 minutes – has increased by 16.76p per kWh, from 34.21p per kWh in September to 50.97p in May. This means the cost to charge a vehicle to 80% has risen from £17.51 to £26.10.

The price increases facing drivers of electric cars using publicly accessible chargers can be explained by the rises in the wholesale cost of electricity, which itself is driven by hikes in the cost of gas.

Ofgem figures show that the wholesale cost of gas doubled between the end of September 2021 and the end of March this year, with wholesale electricity prices rising by around 65% over the same period.

RAC electric vehicle spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Our analysis shows that the quickest places to charge are also the most expensive with ultra-rapid chargers costing on average 14% more to use than rapid chargers.

“For drivers in a hurry though, or travelling a long distance, paying this premium might well be worth it with the very fastest chargers capable of almost completely replenishing an electric car’s battery in a matter of minutes.

“Having said that, the most affordable way of charging an electric car isn’t at a public charger – it’s from home, where overnight electricity rates can be much lower than their public charger counterparts.

“Our own RAC Recharge tariff, for instance, costs just 12p per kWh overnight. But for people who have no option of charging up at home, there is no opportunity to benefit from these sorts of savings.”

The other reason home charging can be so much cheaper is because of the way that electricity is taxed.

“VAT on electricity from a public charger is levied at a rate four-times that which applies to domestic electricity which makes it far more expensive to charge on-the-go than it should be,” explained Williams.

The FairCharge campaign is therefore calling for the 20% VAT rate currently charged on electricity at public chargers to be cut to match the 5% levied on domestic electricity.

Williams said: “We are right behind the FairCharge campaign in thinking this is totally unfair and flies in the face of the Government’s ambition for many more drivers to opt for an electric vehicle.

“We understand conversations have been had within Government over this ‘no driveway premium’, but it’s time there was an acceptance that a VAT rate that’s more favourable to drivers who have their own off-street parking risks putting other drivers off making the switch.

“Given the cost-of-living crisis, it’s surely only fair that everyone pays the same level of VAT no matter where they buy their electricity from.”

The RAC has launched Charge Watch to give greater clarity to drivers about what they can expect to pay to charge on public networks.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News.

The growing network of free charge points for electric vehicles (EVs) at Tesco stores has now expanded to 500 locations, while usage has surged 300% over the past year.

Free charging sessions on the network, which only uses renewable energy, increased from 500,000 in April 2021 to more than two million by the end of February.

The network was launched in 2019 by Tesco, Volkswagen and Pod Point, with the 500th charging location opened at the Tesco Extra store in Inverness.

Other areas to have benefitted from improved charging access include Southend-on-Sea, Bolton, Wirral, Walsall and Port Talbot, it says.

Jason Tarry, CEO at Tesco UK and ROI, said: “We’re thrilled to see the rollout of free EV charging at our retail stores gather pace.

“The network is helping customers visiting Tesco who need to save time and charge while they shop.

“This latest milestone highlights the commitment across the business to our goal of carbon neutrality in the UK by 2035.”

Designed to offer Tesco customers a secure, reliable and accessible way to top up their electric cars, the network of more than 1,000 chargers at 500 Tesco Supermarkets in the UK also now includes 100 rapid chargers.

The network’s 7kW chargers and 22kW chargers are free to use, and its 50kW rapid chargers are available at a competitive rate for customers requiring more than a top-up, says Tesco.

The Tesco Inverness store also benefits from a new public rapid charger.

The network’s growth has specifically targeted areas without rapid charging access, with Tesco stores in Leicester and Maldon also gaining rapid charging points.

Sarah Cox, head of marketing at Volkswagen UK, said: “At Volkswagen, we want to make carbon neutral mobility accessible to everyone. That’s why we’ve made sure these chargers aren’t just for Volkswagens and can be used by any electric car brand.

“It’s hugely encouraging that drivers from over 220 models from almost 40 different brands have already benefited from free, green top ups while shopping at Tesco.”

This latest milestone means the network is on track to meet its original target of launching charging points at 600 Tesco stores across the UK.

Erik Fairbairn, Pod Point founder and CEO, said: “The partnership is continuing to make a significant and very visible contribution to the UK’s charging infrastructure, giving drivers the confidence to transition to electric.

“Pod Point’s mission is to put an EV charge point everywhere you park and we’re delighted to see so many more shoppers up and down the country reap the benefits as we continue the rollout.”

The free charging network milestone comes after the Government announced the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, which commits £1.6 billion to the creation of 300,000 public charge points by 2030, as well as placing new legal responsibilities on charging providers covering means of payment and other factors.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News