A quick round-up of the year’s biggest motoring stories

As we reach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the motoring stories that have shaped the UK’s roads in 2024. From potholes wreaking havoc on our vehicles to the government’s strong push for cleaner cars, a lot has happened over the last 12 months! Our team at Van Discount have compiled the four stories we think everyone should know about – so let’s take a look back on 2024 in the form of the year’s biggest motoring stories.

1. UK’s pothole problem – March

It’s no secret that potholes are a persistent issue on UK roads, but this March, it became even more apparent. The UK currently has over a million potholes on the roads at any one time, and the impact on drivers is undeniable. Potholes can cause severe damage to your van’s undercarriage, exhaust, suspension, and wheels, which is inconvenient at the best of times, but in some of the more extreme cases, it can lead to write-offs.

This year, the government announced a significant £5 billion investment to fix potholes by the time we actually enter 2025, along with an additional £8.3 billion for road resurfacing. According to Edmund King of the AA, this move will bring not only safety improvements but also financial relief, with drivers potentially saving up to £440 in repair costs thanks to these initiatives. While this funding will undoubtedly improve the situation, local councils were urged to prioritise high-need areas, ensuring the most vulnerable roads are dealt with first.

2. Greater Manchester scrapped the Clean Air Zone plans – April

For years, Greater Manchester had been planning to implement a Clean Air Zone, or CAZ, to reduce illegal pollution levels in accordance with a Supreme Court order. However, after several delays, including setbacks caused by COVID-19 and pushback from local businesses, the original plans were officially scrapped in April this year.
In its place, Greater Manchester instead chose to focus on investment-led strategies such as improving public transport with cleaner buses and taxis and introducing localised traffic measures. £22.5 million has been allocated to cleaner taxis, and £8 million will support the city’s hackney carriage fleet. Although this is a welcome change for many residents and businesses, the city’s leadership is still finalising plans for government approval. The most recent update of the Clean Air plan predicts compliance with the agreed legal parameters by 2026.

3. New charge points announced for Electric Vehicles – May

In 2024, the UK took some big steps to make charging electric vehicles (EVs) more convenient, especially for electric vehicles. The government has put £381 million towards helping 44 local councils set up more charging points across England. This means it should be easier, or at least getting easier, for everyone to find a place to charge their electric cars – and ultimately vans.

That said, there are still some challenges. Many of the charging stations available are slow, which can be frustrating for drivers who sometimes have to go out of their way to find a working fast charger. With more and more people driving electric cars, it’s clear that these upgrades are undoubtedly pressing and important. If everything proceeds as intended, the plans will help the UK reach its goal of stopping the sale of fossil fuel cars by 2035.

4. Government recommits to 2030 petrol and diesel ban – October

This October, the UK government confirmed plans to stop selling new petrol and diesel cars by 2030… again. After some delays and political changes, this commitment is finally in place, and it was a big topic of debate during the 2024 general election, as we’re sure everyone is well aware of. With Labour now in charge, they’re actively encouraging people to switch to electric vehicles. That said, if you already have a petrol or diesel car or even a hybrid vehicle, you don’t have to worry because those won’t be affected until 2035.

You’ve probably noticed that a few car manufacturers have really been jumping on the electric vehicles bandwagon (pun intended) and working to make charging stations more widely available. However, reactions to the ban have been a bit mixed. Environmental groups are cheering for it, while some car manufacturers are concerned about supply chains and building the necessary infrastructure. Yet, even with these challenges, the goal for 2030 is an important step toward a cleaner and greener UK.

At Van Discount, we like to keep our customers updated about all the things happening in the vehicle world. If you’re on the lookout for a new van this New Year, our team is here to help with our cheap van deals. With over 20 years of experience, we’ll make sure you find the perfect van that fits your needs no matter what the job is. What’s more, you can save up to 30% off the regular price on selected models! If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call today at 01282 872 530, and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can!