Posted by seetaludeshi | Under Motoring and Travel News
I’m delighted to discover that President Obama has taken the first steps toward encouraging Americans to choose more fuel efficient cars in an effort to help combat global warming, according to the Times Online
Obama said “Year after year, decade after decade, we’ve chosen delay over decisive action, rigid ideology has overruled sound science, special interests have overshadowed common sense. For the sake of our security, our economy and our planet, we must have the courage and commitment to change.” He has ordered the US Transportation Department to enforce a 2007 law requiring car makers to increase the fuel efficiency of all cars by 2011. He has also ordered an urgent review of a policy blocking California and 13 other states from implementing even stricter emissions standards.
He sees the challenges that face us all and is taking steps to tackle them. As we are all aware, the recession has hit businesses hard across the world, especially in the manufacturing and construction sectors. People are losing their jobs everyday but it doesn’t mean that global warming is slowing down. If Obama does bring in these important changes he’ll hopefully be able to show that renewable energy is better for everyone. Personally, I hope that fuel efficient cars will be available on the market soon and look forward to the new hydrogen powered car from Honda which is due for testing this summer.
Reducing C02 emissions is a political hot potato so it’s interesting to see how Obama’s new targets reflect against EU targets and those that President Bush had instituted before losing power:
CO2 targets
Obama By 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels; by 2050, to reduce emissions by 80 per cent
EU By 2020 to reduce emissions to 20 per cent below 1990 levels
Bush By 2025 to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions
US greenhouse gas emissions In 1990 were 6,148 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents; by 2006 were 7,054 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents
Lets hope that President Obama can make the changes he promises and that it will encourage the use of more fuel efficient cars across America and the world.
Posted by rowengower | Under Products and Services
Here is the monthly update from Peter McAree, Commercial Director of Auto Europe UK:
According to experts, Monday 19th January was the most depressing day in history. This month is often gloomy but apparently the effects of the economic downturn make 2009 worse than ever.
The next 12 months are certainly likely to pose many challenges – not least for the travel industry – and staying positive can be one of them. But there’s still plenty to look forward to throughout the coming year, with some interesting new travel trends predicted.
Market research shows that the majority of families are still determined to have at least one holiday this year, despite shrinking budgets. Value for money and added value will be key phrases for tour operators, most of which will be competing to offer punters the most attractive deals.
According to a report by ABTA and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) the unfavourable euro rate is likely to encourage even more of us to opt for more adventurous, non-Eurozone destinations such as Egypt, South Africa and Mexico that offer good value, great beaches and rich cultural experience.
The U.S. recession undoubtedly impacts the travel industry worldwide, so it’s important to keep an eye on trends being noted across the pond too. A survey by Travel Leaders conducted across the United States claims that 22.1% of holidaymakers are now choosing to drive instead of flying to cut costs, while nearly 41% are saving money with shorter trips.
If you’re thinking of booking your holiday soon, do bear in mind that car hire can really help to keep costs down, especially if you are travelling as part of a group, and it gives you the freedom to go where and when you like. Also remember that if you book with us you’ll be able to change or even cancel your booking without incurring any costs right up until 48 hours prior to the planned collection time.
One trend I’ve noticed in the last few weeks is a rise in last-minute car hire bookings. It seems that lots of people are booking spontaneous trips to escape the winter blues. Check out Auto Europe’s special offers for destinations worldwide (updated regularly on the website) if you’re tempted to do the same.
Posted by seetaludeshi | Under Motoring and Travel News
The idea first came from Arthur C Clarke’s 1979 novel ‘Fountains of Paradise’, which describes the construction of an elevator into space that orbits the Earth. Now, according to the Times Online, a team of British scientists at Cambridge University has taken the very first step into making this Sci-Fi fantasy a reality.
The challenge is that a conventional cable that is one strand thick on Earth would need to be about as wide as the entire planet just to support its own weight once it reached the stars at 22,000 miles high. The Cambridge team has found a potential solution to this problem using a $4m (£2.7m) research prize from NASA. They have developed the world’s strongest ribbon: a cylindrical strand of carbon that combines lightweight flexibility with great strength and the potential to stretch immense distances. Space scientists believe that this discovery will enable astronauts to travel into space via a cable thousands of miles long, thus creating, The Space Elevator.
The team makes approximately 1gram of the brilliant material per day, which is enough to stretch up to 18 miles in length. They have an order from NASA asking for 144,000 miles of the ribbon. Enthusiasts say that the space elevator will be able to lift material more than 22,000 miles into orbit for as little as £300 per pound weight, comparing this with £14,000 per pound using existing rockets, it’s a bargain!
The concept is the cable is extended up to a station 22,245 miles (the point at which satellites stay in geostationary orbit) into space and is kept under tension by the forces of gravity on Earth and the acceleration at the platform end. The cable will then extend a further 40,000 miles into space with a counterweight that helps keep the whole structure stable allowing the elevator to be powered up the cable, much like a train on its tracks.
This will no doubt revolutionise space travel. An elevator like this could offer cheap space travel and make touring to Mars more viable. This also could mean a space hotel in orbit of the Earth and no can say the views will not be breathtaking!
I wonder if it will dent Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic plans? His airline space craft has been invented and designed especially for travel into space with a journey time of approximately 2 and a half hours but has a price tag the size of a small house.
The plan is not without challenges. Notably, the best performance of a scale model of this idea has only achieved 1.8 metres per second on a 100m climb. A contest is currently running within the NASA Headquarters to build a prototype elevator that can travel vertically 1km (0.6 miles) at a speed of 2 metres per second. The next challenge is scheduled for April.
This is a very exciting concept as maybe sometime down the line in the near future, Auto Europe will be doing Space Rentals!
Posted by rowengower | Under Motoring and Travel News
Great news for all snow sports fans – there has been about 20cm of snow at Tignes and Val d’Isere over the weekend with a further fall of 77cm and 75cm respectively expected during the course of this week! It’s something of a trend too with similar snowfall expected across Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Les Deux Alps is anticipated to top the charts with over 1m (111cm to be exact) expected. So, if you’ve been thinking about a last minute snowy break then now is the time to go. See the full report with pictures on the Ski Club website.
Posted by rowengower | Under Motoring and Travel News
Reports have revealed that the number of British holidaymakers going to Egypt has risen by 38% in the last year, while Mexico saw an increase of 23% in 2008 and the number of visitors to Turkey has increased by 32%. These figures are set to rise as many of us avoid the euro and traditional popular destinations in search of a bargain break.
Other off-the-beaten-track hotspots for travel this year are predicted to include Peru, Kenya and Malaysia. But as a result the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is warning visitors to familiarise themselves with the laws and customs of their destination and check the FCO website for travel advice before leaving.
It also strongly urges travellers to take out comprehensive travel insurance, as well as taking necessary health precautions, such as vaccinations. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, there’s plenty of detailed advice available online for every country, but here’s a few basic tips from the FCO to take on-board if you’re one of those planning to visit Egypt for the first time this year:
Dress modestly, especially when visiting traditional areas like mosques and souqs (markets). Women’s clothes should cover legs and upper arms.
Check whether you need a visa. British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally require one, but if you’re visiting Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts for up to 14 days, you don’t have to carry one. Further info at
If you are driving in Egypt then please take the usual safety precaution of wearing a seatbelt and, if using public transport, do avoid travelling in overcrowded vehicles.
Remember to check with your GP as to which vaccinations you need for your trip. This will vary depending on which region of Egypt you plan to visit but may include: Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A & B, Polio, Rabies, Tetanus and Typhoid (it is very unlikely you will need all of these).
Do take note of these points, but don’t let them put you off. Egypt’s benefits, including guaranteed sunshine, top class (low cost) hotels, brilliant beaches and unrivalled historical tourist attractions, far outweigh the drawbacks.
Posted by seetaludeshi | Under Motoring and Travel News
Do you remember the old cartoon the Jetsons? How about Back to Future part II? Yes I hear you cry, well can you also tell me what they both had in common? I’ll give you a clue, the flying cars and in particular the Flying DeLorean? Well these soon could be a reality according to the Times Online as the Terrafugia boss, Carl Dietrich says proudly “It’s like a little Transformer”
The car’s wings fold up automatically and in 15 seconds you’ll be air born to road worthy. Dietrich gives many reasons as to why the car will be great for the road. They promise to be quicker than normal cars for intercity commuting, fit into a household garage (saving hanger fees) and even run on premium unleaded petrol. The best thing about this car, and by far other than anything else, is that it is unbelievably cool.
The petrol motor is a 100bhp single engine that runs both the motor and propeller, it has a steering wheel, accelerator and brakes just like a normal car but no gearstick. With the propeller it can take off from any airfield, but not from the roads as it is illegal in all states except Alaska. It can fly up to 500 miles on a single tank of petrol at a great speed of about 115mph.
It is excitedly due to be test driven next month.
Posted by gemmarees | Under Motoring and Travel News
On Monday (12th Jan 09) a new entry system for travel into the United States became mandatory, meaning British citizens could be detained and sent home by US immigration officials if they don’t register online before their trip.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) requires UK nationals to complete a form 72 hours before flying, which can be accessed via www.visitusa.org.uk/visitors/esta.aspx. It will then be approved by the US Department of Homeland Security, and will be valid for two years.
This applies to all travellers using the Visa Waiver Program, which allows British passport holders who intend to stay in American for less than 90 days to enter without a visa. According to a report in the Times, the US embassy in London said that 99.6 per cent of those who’ve registered so far have been approved – most within four seconds.
ESTA replaces the old green forms traditionally distributed during flights, which asks for passport details and the address of where you will be staying during your visit. Registration is also required for anyone in transit at a US airport, and for babies and children.
According to quotes from British Airways staff in the Telegraph, the new regime hasn’t caused any major problems so far, but that might be because a brief grace period has been set, so passengers who were unaware of the new requirements have still been allowed entry.
In theory, this should be a much more efficient and hassle-free way of ensuring a smooth trip, with a reduced risk of terrorism and fewer delays at customs. But without high profile warning of the new system, I predict there’ll be more than a few disappointed holidaymakers coming home sooner than expected in the next few weeks (a survey by Travelsupermarket.com has suggested that 57 per cent of Britons are still unaware of the new requirements).
So spread the word to anyone planning to visit the States this year, and don’t be too spontaneous with that last-minute weekend break – remember you need to fill in that ESTA form THREE DAYS before you go
Posted by seetaludeshi | Under Motoring and Travel News
According to the Times Online campaigners have been saying that speed control devices should be installed in cars to force drivers to keep to the speed limit. The Commission for Integrated Transport (CfiT) said that 29% of injuries on the road could be prevented by intelligent speed adaption (ISA).
The system would automatically slow the car down if the driver went over the speed limit on the road. The system would be voluntary, not compulsory for drivers. The report also looked at the impact of emissions, fuel consumption, noise and road network efficiency and concluded that adherence to the speed limit could also lead to a 6% reduction in CO2 emissions as well as reduce accidents.
However, the opponents of the report have said that installing the ISA system could lead drivers to become lazy and pay less attention on the road leading to even further accidents. Claire Armstrong from the road safety charity Safe Speed has told the BBC that the device would be “highly dangerous” as drivers reactions would fall once “You’ve taken the responsibility away from the driver.”
Do you think the Intelligent Speed Adpation device is a good idea? Will it turn us into zombie drivers and cause an increase in accidents? Send us your thoughts.
Posted by rowengower | Under Motoring and Travel News
Happy new year to you from the Auto Europe team. If the excesses of Christmas made it a little harder to fit into your jeans this morning, spare a thought for the ten Air India hostesses that have been dismissed for being too fat to fly.
According to a report in the Times, the unfortunate women were given their cards over the festive period, after failing to slim down to meet company weight restrictions. In June 2008 the cabin crew lost a landmark legal battle, when the high court deemed that employee’s physiques may be considered integral to their ‘personality’.
For most of us, failure to keep fit won’t end with the sack, but it might affect our chances of getting behind the wheel in future. A story in the Mail Online reveals that soon motorists might need to take a health test every ten years to ensure they’re in a suitable condition to drive.
The DVLA is to issue a new series of guidelines for eyesight and reaction times that could mean thousands of elderly people will be prevented from driving. We’ll all have to declare ourselves fit to drive safely every decade. Apparently the £80 fitness test will be voluntary, but you’ll risk a criminal record if you’re later found to fall short of standards.
Finally, with forecasters predicting another turbulent year for the economy, it might not just be calories that we have to cut back on in 2009. If you’re planning to tighten your budget belt, it might help to know that this week ministers have launched a crackdown on cowboy garages that con customers – particularly women – with overpriced and incomplete services. As described by thisismoney.co.uk, a Department for Business investigation uncovered substandard practices across the country that cost motorists up to £4 billion a year – now that really is a big, fat rip off!
