EV patents rise as net zero deadline drives fossil fuels down December 6, 2021 The number of electric vehicle (EV) patents has gone up all across the world, while fossil fuel ones have registered a rapid decrease in the last five years – a sign that manufacturers are taking seriously the decision made by governments to phase out the sale of new fossil fuel cars from 2030. Data from [...]
End of 100-year family ownership: £325m offer from WeBuyAnyCar owner accepted by Marshall board December 6, 2021 The board of Marshall Motor has said it will accept a £325 million takeover offer from the private-equity backed company behind WeBuyAnyCar. Marshall said that it thought the terms offered by Constellation Automotive were “fair and reasonable”. “Following careful consideration of both the financial terms of the offer and Constellation’s stated intentions regarding the conduct [...]
Eurostar to launch contactless fast-track service from St Pancras December 6, 2021 Eurostar announced this morning the launch of a contactless fast-track service operating from London St Pancras station. Developed alongside biometric technology manufacturer iProov, the service allows business travellers and loyalty card holders to complete ticket verification and UK exit checks on their phone before departure. Using iProov’s biometric technology, passengers can pass through smart gates, [...]
Exclusive: London MPs warn of DLR decline without new TfL funding deal December 5, 2021 The capital’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will be under serious threat of long-term decline without a sustainable funding deal for Transport for London (TfL), a group of London MPs have warned. The six MPs, all Labour members in East or South East London constituencies, wrote to transport secretary Grant Shapps today to say “some of [...]
A hammer blow to the industry: Business travel body slams new restrictions December 5, 2021 The travel industry has reacted with fury following the re-introduction of pre-departure mandatory tests for those travelling to England. Clive Wratten, chief executive of the UK Business Travel Association (BTA), has slammed the government’s decision, calling it a “hammer blow to the business travel industry.” “Public safety is a priority, but businesses will fail, travellers [...]
Easyjet adopts a more aggressive strategy to face rivals December 5, 2021 Easyjet’s chief executive Johan Lundgren is reportedly adopting a more aggressive business strategy, following accusations of having behaved too cautiously during the pandemic. Lundgren stated that, after seeing encouraging signs for next summer, he expects demand to go back to pre-Covid levels, allowing the company to buy slots at airports such as London Gatwick. The [...]
London businesses and charities call on Rishi Sunak to provide long-term TfL funding December 5, 2021 More than 80 London business, universities and charities have written to Rishi Sunak to call on the chancellor to provide a long-term funding deal for Transport for London (TfL). Signatories to the letter – including the chiefs of Eurostar International, the ExCel Centre and London City Airport – called on Sunak to provide a funding [...]
Travel industry in shock: Pre-departure tests for all UK arrivals from Tuesday December 4, 2021 Everyone arriving in England from abroad will be required to take a Covid-19 pre-departure test from 4am on Tuesday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said this evening. The pre-departure tests will have to be taken a maximum of 48 hours before departure and will apply to all travellers arriving in the UK, regardless of their departure [...]
Easyjet is coming to town: Airline announces second Lapland route December 3, 2021 Easyjet announced today the opening of its newest service to Lapland, with the first flight departing this morning. The new route – linking London Gatwick to the Finnish city of Kittila – joined an existing service connecting the British capital to Santa Claus’s hometown of Rovaniemi. Flights to Rovaniemi, which departed for the first time [...]
Used car prices hit record growth in six months December 3, 2021 Used car prices have registered five years’ worth of growth in six months, with costs increasing by £3,400 since May. Data from the Auto Trader Retail Price Index has shown that used car prices – now at an average of £17,366 – have gone up 28.6 per cent on a year-on-year basis, making November the [...]
