Motoring

MOTORING 

Daytime running lights mandatory on new vehicles since 7 February 

From February 7 all new passenger cars and delivery vans have to be equipped with “day light riding lamps” a la Volvo for the last 20 or more years 

Rental cars, meanwhile, will soon be equipped with daytime running - (the average life of a rental car in Europe is reported to be 7 months) 

The advantages of the new daytime running lamps means accident risks are reduced, especially . 

In many Northern countries motorist been required to turn on their lights during the day. 

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Ferry passengers in EU set to get new rights 
By Craig McGinty 
THE European Parliament has voted in favour of regulations that would provide ferry passengers with compensation should their crossing be delayed or cancelled. 
Similar in style to the scheme currently in place for air passengers flying from European airports, the proposed plans would cover travel on a waterway in the EU. 
Under the new rules, when a regular passenger boat or ferry service is cancelled or over 90 minutes late in departing, the passengers will have the right to be rerouted (in order to reach the destination earlier) or to receive back the ticket cost and not to travel (or else to return to the initial port of departure at the company's cost). 
This will not apply in the case of weather delays or other conditions outside the operator's control. Passengers must also be given snacks or meals, wherever possible. 

In addition, regardless of whether they choose to travel or not, the passengers will be entitled to compensation of 25 per cent of the ticket price for: 

• Journeys scheduled to last up to 4 hours which are delayed at arrival for at least an hour 

• Journeys scheduled to last 4 to 8 hours which are delayed at arrival for at least two hours 

• Journeys scheduled to last 8 to 24 hours which are delayed at arrival for at least three hours 

• Journeys scheduled to last over 24 hours which are delayed at arrival for at least six hours 

If the delay is over double these minimum times, passengers will be entitled to compensation of half the ticket price.
The compensation will have to be paid in money if the passenger demands it. 
Additionally, if because of the delay passengers have to stay overnight before completing their journey, the operator will have to pay for their hotel expenses up to €80 per night (for not more than three nights). 
Rights for people with disabilities have also been announced, including the right to travel, and the EU will also look at regulation covering bus and coach passenger rights. 



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easyJet Tests Nano Technology for Fuel Efficiency 

easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, today announced that it is the first commercial airline to trial a revolutionary nano-technology coating on its aircraft aimed at reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency. 

The ultra thin coating, already used on US military aircraft, is a polymer that cross links and bonds to the paint surface and only adds an estimated 4oz to the weight of the aircraft. 
The coating reduces the build up of debris on the aircraft’s structure, leading edge and other surfaces; thus reducing drag on the surface of the aircraft. The manufacturers of the coating estimate that it could reduce easyJet’s fuel consumption by 1-2%. The airline has coated eight aircraft and will compare their fuel consumption with the rest of the fleet during a 12 month trial period. 

An easyJet passenger is responsible for 22% fewer emissions than a passenger on a traditional airline, when they fly the same route and use the same type of plane. 
Since its launch in 1995, easyJet has always strived to improve its efficiency to keep its costs down. Passengers benefit through low fares and a reduced carbon footprint. 
This is achieved through a range of investments and innovations. easyJet’s fleet of 194 aircraft, many with Tech Insertion engines, is one of the youngest in Europe averaging less than four years old. It fills more of its seats than more than any scheduled European airline with a load factor of over 87%. easyJet planes taxi using one engine, use less ground equipment than legacy carriers and fly passengers to airports close to city centres, often with good public transport links. Weight onboard is reduced with light-weight carpets and the airline is currently looking at lighter seats in the cabin. 

Carolyn McCall easyJet’s CEO said: “easyJet is really pleased about the trial with the special coating on our aircraft. Efficiency is in easyJet’s DNA. If we can find new ways of reducing the amount of fuel used by our aircraft we can pass the benefits onto our passengers by offering them low fares and a lower carbon footprint. All airlines should be incentivised to reduce the environmental impact of their operations which is why we welcome the government's commitment to move from APD to a fairer, greener per plane tax. We look forward to seeing the details of their proposal.”