Alastair Shephard

Content Writer

Alastair Shephard | Author

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Joseph Law | Author

The AA has recently commented on common speed camera myths, urging drivers to slow down and pay attention to the limits. 

It’s believed by some road users that changing lanes can help drivers avoid detection by speed cameras. Whilst this was true at one time, modern speed cameras have multiple setups allowing all lanes to be covered. 

More often than not, there will be white markings across all lanes near speed cameras, allowing for a secondary check that shows how far the vehicle has travelled between two points. 

Cameras must be visible for drivers to be prosecuted 

Despite the Department for Transportation declaring that all cameras are required to be painted yellow, it is not true that they must be perfectly visible for motorists to receive a fine. 

So trying to contest your fine due to the camera being covered by an overgrown tree, isn’t going to work. 

First introduced in 1991, the first type of speed camera, the Gatso, was named after Dutch rally-driving inventor, Maurice Gatsonides. Still in use today, these cameras record how fast a vehicle travels between two points by capturing two images. 

Another type is the average speed camera, which works by capturing the speed of a vehicle at various points along a road, meaning drivers cannot just slow down on their approach. 

There's no limit for how many cameras can be involved in the average speed camera check and some have a network of up to 1,000 cameras. 

The final type is the Speed and Traffic Camera, which uses radar to see how fast a vehicle is going. A digital image is produced, showing the colour, type, make, model and registration number of the vehicle. 

The registered owner is sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within two weeks of being caught. Fines issued are a minimum of £100, with 3 points on your licence. However, these can be escalated depending on how far over the limit you were driving. 

Yes, speed cameras absolutely work. The London School of Economics estimated that between 1992-2016, speed cameras reduced deaths around 60 – 70%. The advice from the AA remains drivers shouldn’t look to avoid detection from cameras and should follow all speed limits and laws of the roads. 

Help to keep our roads safer by slowing down. Plus, you might save yourself some money! 

Debunked: Common speed camera myths 

When it comes to cars, consumers have (almost) always been more enthusiastic about the unusual and exciting than simple, 

Today, all the buzz is around electric cars. Spearheaded by Tesla, they’ve become the hottest item in automotive. But as novel as EVs are, there’s more to them than how to charge the battery and how good they are for the environment. 

Ready to up your EV knowledge? Here are 21 of the best facts about electric cars to impress fellow enthusiasts. 

1. It's illegal for electric cars to be silent 

Until recently, one of the most unique things about driving an 

 was the peace and lack of noise. They hummed quietly, barely emitting a peep. 

However, In 2019, the EU mandated that all new electric and hybrid cars emit artificial noise so pedestrians and cyclists can hear them. The EV noise becomes audible at speeds of 13 mph and above. In most cases, though, the interior of an electric car remains quiet and peaceful. 

2. There are more EV charging points than petrol stations 

In April 2020, the number of public charging points for EVs exceeded the number of petrol stations in the UK. According to EDF Energy, there are more than 42,000 EV charging sites across the UK versus roughly 8,300 petrol stations, a figure that has grown smaller since. 

Electric cars use ‘regenerative’ braking, which allows them to recover energy when the vehicle slows down and sends it back into the battery. That instantly boosts EVs' energy efficiency, dramatically reducing wear and tear on mechanical braking systems and 

educing the need for new brakes, pads, and callipers over time. 

4. More and more petrol stations are setting up EV chargers 

With the explosion of interest in EVs, traditional fuel retailers have got in on the act. Brands like BP, Shell, MFG and Euro Garages all offer electric car charging stations for EV drivers, many of them located as prominently on the forecourt as the petrol and diesel pumps. No back-alley charging here! 

5. Nissan’s LEAF is Britain's most popular EV 

Since its launch in 2010, more than 400,000 

 have been sold. That makes it the most popular electric car on the planet, not just in Blighty. 

Now in its second iteration, the all-electric EV continues to be popular, and Nissan says the car has racked up over 10 billion kilometres of road time. 

 The LEAF is made in Britain for the UK and European markets. 

Always the innovator, Tesla has implemented a ‘Dog Mode’ so drivers can leave their pets in the car and be sure the interior stays cool for any pets inside. The vehicle even displays a prominent message on the centre touchscreen panel to let passers-by know that the pet is cool and safe, no matter the outside temperature. 

Have you seen green number plates recently? EVs now have their own funky trademark. If the vehicle is a pure electric model with zero CO2 tailpipe emissions, it’s eligible for a green licence plate. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids aren’t allowed these special plates, though. The vehicle must be 100% electric.

You can turn your EV into an enormous generator on wheels with the right equipment. It’s possible now to take the unused electricity in an EV battery to supply power to your home and minimise the draw on the power grid. Nissan’s LEAF comes with a LEAF-to-Home appliance that lets you use its 

 to power things like an outdoor dinner party or even a Christmas tree. 

Prince Charles recently acquired an electric Jaguar SUV, preferring the storied British nameplate over the comparable Tesla model. HRH has also reportedly installed a fast charger at his Clarence House home. 

He’s not the only member of the (extended) royal family interested in EVs. When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, the couple arrived at the ceremony in a Jaguar E-Zero. 

10. A new electric car is registered every nine minutes in the UK 

Sales of electric vehicles in the UK have grown for eight years in a row. ONS data shows there are now 1.3 million EVs registered in the UK, with a new one being sold every nine minutes. Talk about being popular! 

11. The first EVs were created in the 1800s

That’s right! The electric vehicle isn’t as you might expect. The first electric motor is credited to Anyos Jedlik, a Hungarian engineer, in 1928. However, Scottish engineer Robert Anderson also fitted a full-size carriage with an electric motor in 1932. So, there are a few disputes about who created the electric car and when. 

12. General Motors’ EV1 cost over a billion dollars 

Produced from 1996 to 1999, EV1 by General Motors cost over one billion dollars (approx £792,230,000.00). Though it was the first purpose-designed electric car, General Motors considered it a dud. Consequently, the brand crushed all but 1,000 of the created models. 

13. 1 in every 4 UK households will switch to electric in the next five years

 that 1 in every 4 UK households intend to switch to an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid in the next five years. Their actual statistics show that 6.5 million homes are considering the switch, equating to 24% of energy households. 

14. Only 1 in every 10 electric vehicle drivers buys the car outright

 90% of EV drivers opt for car financing rather than buying the vehicle outright. A 

of 2,000 UK-based drivers showed that 47% thought electric cars were too expensive. 

15. The five best EVs can drive from Leeds to London on one charge 

The top five EVs can travel anywhere from 100 to 200 miles on one charge (enough to take you from

 to London). However, the Tesla Model 3 has smashed this distance and can drive up to 300 miles before needing a charge. Road trip, anyone? 

16. Electric cars can accelerate faster than ICE vehicles

Thanks to instant torque (strong acceleration from a stationary position), electric vehicles can accelerate much faster than internal combustion engines (ICE). Some of the fastest electric cars can even reach 0-60 mph in less than three seconds — as fast as some major roller coasters! 

17. EVs could have wireless charging in the future

Like wireless mobile phone charging pads, electric cars have the potential to be charged by a similar mechanism. This gives engineers lots of space for innovation. From built-in road charging panels to chargers in parking spots and drive-through takeaways, this technology might revolutionise how we travel. 

As part of a drive green initiative in 2016, the 

. These lanes prioritised electric and plug-in vehicles at traffic lights, allowing a smoother driving experience. Think bus lanes, but for electric cars! 

There’s no plan to completely roll this plan out nationwide yet. But keep your eyes peeled! 

19. Electric vehicle battery costs are falling

The battery is the most expensive part of an electric car, which is why EV vehicles cost more than their non-renewable counterparts. 

However, as more people switch, battery costs are expected to drop as economies of scale kick in. The more batteries are produced, the price per battery goes down, as does the cost per EV. Nice! 

20. Breathable batteries could give up to 500 miles on a single charge

Many drivers are unsure about EVs due to their limited distance per charge. However, up-and-coming 

 could change the game. These batteries have the potential to allow up to 500 miles per charge but are in the early stages of development. Hopefully, we’ll see these on the market sometime soon! 

Electric vehicles are all about effective transportation. For example, an electric car uses approximately 80% of its battery engine’s energy to transmit electricity to the car. Petrol-powered cars only use 14 to 26% of energy, making EVS a much more efficient option. 

Fun facts about electric cars - Looking to the future

Electric vehicles are an exciting innovation that’s going nowhere anytime soon. Hopefully, these 21 good facts about electric cars have helped you impress your friends and show them the possibilities of green technology. 

 is here to help you find a trusted garage with affordable costs. 

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has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

 21 Facts About Electric Cars You Probably Didn’t Know

It’s been an interesting two-year stretch for the UK car industry. Shifting trends in automotive buying means this year’s list of the top 10 cars could surprise some industry observers. 

With COVID-19 upending supply chains, ongoing semiconductor shortages, and the Ukraine invasion set to disrupt production further, 2022 is hard to predict. But there are some signs of what’s to come. 

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says that more than 174,000 cars were sold in the UK as of 1

 March 2022. That’s a 23 per cent increase over the same period last year. 

 are also on the rise, jumping 150 per cent and accounting for nearly 15 per cent of all new car sales. 

Diesel, on the other hand, looks to be on the way out. Sales sank by a whopping 45 per cent from the same period last year, accounting for just over five per cent of total sales. 

Some things have stayed the same though. The Vauxhall Corsa leads the pack again this year in terms of individual model sales, while the Kia Sportage sits in second place and the Mini Hatchback holds the third spot on the podium. 

While there’s still lots of time for things to change, here’s our list of the top 10 cars for 2022 based on the most recent figures. 

Perennial favourite Ford Focus fell out of many top 10 lists last year, disappearing from the top ten off the back of a poor reception to its Vignale version. That said, the Focus is enjoying a bit of a renaissance in early 2022 ahead of an expected design facelift in June. 

The Focus has always been a critic’s darling and the 2021 model is typically rated on par with cars like the Volkswagen Golf. 

This one’s been a regular feature on dealer forecourts since early 2018 and holds firm as a favourite with both reviewers and car buyers alike. 

It's worth noting that both the petrol and plug-in hybrid models have had a better critical reception than the XC40 ‘pure’ electric model. They're seen to offer better value for money than their EV cousin. 

Oddly enough the Toyota Corolla is only the second car on this list to be built here in Blightly. While it dropped out of the SMMT’s top ten in February, strong sales figures in January have kept it aloft for the year-to-date. 

The Corolla comes as a hybrid-only and it's been gradually finding a firm niche in the UK new car marketplace. Many reviewers have noted how much of an improvement it represents over the former Auris, which it replaced on Toyota’s 2021 roster. 

Hyundai’s new Tucson has been a top sales performer and frequent fixture in many ‘best of lists’ since it launched in 2021. The good news and sales keep coming as SMMT figures indicate a strong start to 2022. 

The Vauxhall Mokka is the first car to feature Vauxhall’s ‘Vizor’ styling. Based on strong sales for the Mokka you can expect the firm’s new look to roll out across its range over the next few years. 

The Mokka comes in standard petrol and diesel models. There’s also the all-electric Mokka-e, which numerous awards last year in the Small SUV category. 

This one's been around a long time, but Kia’s legacy brand Niro shows no signs of losing steam. Strong sales in January and February suggest that the Korean car maker is doing just fine in sustaining a reliable supply of semiconductor chips for the car’s onboard systems. 

While we expect the current Niro to come to the end of its production life soon, Niro enthusiasts can look forward to an all-new model reaching British shores in the second half of this year. 

The Puma is another top performer, but its popularity began to wane at the end of 2021 after a sales surge in the first quarter. It's a similar picture so far for 2022, with strong sales in January followed by a slight dip in February. 

Car reviewers continue to heap praise on the Puma and give it top ratings in the ‘supermini’ SUV class. 

A strong showing in the first two months of 2022 suggests the Mini hatch could keep burning up the sales charts. It finished last year ranked third overall and has started this year strongly as well. It’s also the best-selling new car that’s made in the United Kingdom. 

The Sportage fell back to second place after a slow start to the year, all but vanishing from the UK sales charts in January. Will the next round of industry figures push it back to the top, or will supply chains problems prove too much for growing consumer demand? 

Holding on to the top spot again this year is the Vauxhall Corsa, after just making it over the finishing line in 2021 due to factory supply issues. For all its sales success, motoring journalists have found the car hard to love. Reviews are typically ho-hum for both the petrol and electric versions. 

Will its mid-quarter 2022 sales figures signal more good news for the year ahead, or will the current global upheaval bring new supply chain struggles?

Entertainment

Debunked: Common speed camera myths

21 Facts About Electric Cars You Probably Didn’t Know

What Are The Top 10 Cars For 2022