Daily Record

Keep car and carry on

Workers keen to use own wheels as they go back to daily commuting

- By Giles Blair g.blair@roadrecord.co.uk

WITH the post-Covid return to the office in full swing, commuters are shunning packed rush-hour trains and buses in favour of their own cars, despite the recent fuel crisis.

Research by online motors marketplac­e heycar has revealed 52 per cent of the public intend to avoid public transport, with 47 per cent of the 1000 surveyed saying they intend to commute by car.

The choice of vehicles purchased is also being influenced by the fact many people have moved out of cities in favour of larger properties in rural locations, smaller towns and coastal communitie­s.

But now that office life is back on the agenda for many, people need to be ready for longer drives on the two or three days they’re in the workplace each week.

So it’s little surprise that, in the long term, fuel-efficient diesels are most in-demand. In fact, heycar is reporting that seven in 10 of the most popular cars on its site between May 1 and September 1 are diesel models.

Drivers surveyed indicated that their preference for oil burners was due to fuel economy (41 per cent), being the best option for long journeys (29 per cent) and reliabilit­y (26 per cent).

Dan Powell, of heycar, said: “After so many months of lockdowns and social distancing, it’s understand­able that one in two are uncomforta­ble with the prospect of being jammed into a train carriage or standing on a packed bus with dozens of strangers.

“As a result, our cars have taken on even more importance as a comfortabl­e and reliable way to travel to work in a post-pandemic world.

“At heycar, we’ve seen strong demand for diesel vehicles during the past four months, which tells us that motorists are looking for the most fuel-efficient cars for longer journeys such as motorway commutes.”

Set against that, the recent fuel shortage crisis at the filling stations has seen a significan­t shift to people seeking electric cars.

Analysis of Google data reveals that online searches for electric cars in the UK exploded 1600 per cent on September 24 – the day when the petrol station fuel shortages became widespread across the country.

The finding by car informatio­n website Carguide.co.uk reveals that online interest for electric cars skyrockete­d to 16 times the average volume in one day – an unpreceden­ted spike in interest for electric cars, according to Google search stats.

A Carguide.co.uk spokespers­on said: “It’s interestin­g to see how a shortage in fuel for petrol and diesel cars at the forecourts can cause such a massive spike in online searches for electric cars across the country.

“This trend will likely continue, as more people become conscious of their viability and almost every major manufactur­er is committed to electrifyi­ng their vehicle portfolio – with EV ranges and capabiliti­es increasing almost exponentia­lly as new models come to market.”

And heycar confirmed it had also seen a surge in interest in electric vehicles – with EV leads more than doubling in a week.

Chief commercial officer Karen Hilton said: “From September 20 to 27, demand for electric cars was up 159 per cent year on year, suggesting people are seriously starting to consider the most sustainabl­e and safe way to get back out there.”

That public enthusiasm to seek out an EV was backed up by multi-channel media platform Electrifyi­ng.com.

It saw searches on its website increase by 75 per cent compared with the same period before the crisis.

Site founder and TV presenter Ginny Buckley said: “The fuel shortages we are seeing feels like a throwback to a previous era – there is no doubt the future is electric.”

attempted today without CGI – computer generated imagery.

And, 1969, British crime caper The Italian Job has to feature in the hall of fame for its gold bullion Turin chase, where three Mini Coopers make good their escape via sewers and city streets.

During the getaway, the Minis are pursued by police atop Fiat’s factory roof test track, climaxing in the Minis being dispatched from the back of a bus in the Alps.

Other notable mentions include 1971’s Vanishing Point, 1977’s Smokey And The Bandit with Burt Reynolds, 1978’s The Driver, starring Ryan O’Neal, and 1980’s The Blues Brothers.

Car chases from the 60s and 70s seem more memorable and authentic than today’s – mainly, because many of them were filmed for real, on real streets. Nowadays, CGI plays its part.

But as the decades have rolled on and Bond remains ever young, the car chase remains integral to a gripping movie experience… whatever trickery is involved.

And you can bet that generation­s of moviegoers will still be thrilled and entertaine­d by the fast-paced action for years to come.

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 ?? ?? DIE ANOTHER DAY
DIE ANOTHER DAY
 ?? ?? FAST & FURIOUS 6
FAST & FURIOUS 6

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