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Rob Hull, Motoring Editor

Rob has been Motoring Editor across Daily Mail and ThisisMoney since 2021 having joined as Motoring Reporter in September 2015. He's been writing about the automotive sector for 20 years and specialises in all things that impact motorists in Britain. He previously worked at consumer watchdog Which? as a Senior Researcher overseeing vehicle testing and the UK's largest survey of car drivers. Before that, Rob was a reporter, road tester and serial crasher at Motorcycle News (MCN).

Coverage: Cars Electric Cars

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM ROB HULL

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EV batteries should last 20 years or more - and that's better than petrol engines, new report claims

17/09/24 01:37

The study suggests EV batteries show slower signs of degradation than components used in internal combustion engine cars....read

Hybrid cars to remain on sale for five more years after 2030 petrol and diesel ban
17/09/24 01:30
The decision is likely to upset green campaign groups, who describe hybrids as the car industry's 'wolf in sheep's clothing.'
- 165 comments
- 12 shares
Fiat suspends production of electric 500 city car for ONE MONTH due to slump in demand for EVs
13/09/24 01:49
Suspension of production will start today (Friday 13 September) and run for four weeks, Stellantis said, adding it was 'working hard to manage at its best this hard phase of transition'.
A 'cushty' deal: Only Fools and Horses Reliant Regal three-wheeler set to sell at auction for HALF what it did three years ago
13/09/24 10:10
When it goes under the hammer at a Warwickshire auction later this month, it will be its third appearance this car has made at the block since 2021.
Home Secretary told we need 1,000 more road cops with traffic officer numbers down a fifth on eight years ago
12/09/24 11:01
Traffic cop numbers have fallen by a fifth in eight years. The AA has called on Yvette Cooper to embark on a recruitment drive for specialist road police officers to tackle motoring offences.
- 238 comments
- 1 share
Two thirds of EV drivers would REJECT a petrol courtesy car as it 'wouldn't be fair' to be forced to go back to an engine
12/09/24 08:36
Almost 9 in 10 EV owners said they want to see an industry-wide guarantee that they will be provided an electric courtesy car if theirs is off the road being repaired - and they don't want an ICE car.
- 153 comments
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BMW's 1.5 million car recalls will slash its sales and earnings
11/09/24 07:02
BMW bosses have said this week that the hefty expense of addressing the recall could cost a 'high three-digit million (euro) amount'.
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BMW recall of more than 1.5m vehicles will hit the German auto giant's sales and earnings this year - could your car be affected?
11/09/24 12:25
BMW bosses have said this week that the hefty expense of addressing the recall could cost a 'high three-digit million (euro) amount'.
First of its kind 1970 Ford Escort Mexico with historic ties to Essex car factory is heading to auction with a guide price of £70k
11/09/24 07:24
It will go under the hammer alongside a couple of celebrity motors, including an Aston Martin used to promote a 2000s James Bond film and a classic car owned by Madonna.
Buyers of new 74-plate cars face incessant warning beeps from speed limiters - but you CAN turn it off
10/09/24 11:42
September is a bumper month for car sales, but buyers of 74 plate models need to know that their new motor is likely to bombard them with incessant beeping.
Toyota slashes EV production forecast by a third
09/09/24 08:33
The world's biggest car maker has shortened its EV output for 2026 to 1 million rather than the 1.5 million it had previously forecast.
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Government WILL conduct independent probe into root cause of rise in drivers being dazzled by headlights
09/09/24 03:36
An RAC campaign highlighting the issue also triggered a petition - signed by more than 14,000 people - which forced ministers to agree to look into the root cause.
- 300 comments
- 34 shares
Toyota slashes EV output forecast by a THIRD in latest instance of brands delaying electric car plans amid slowing demand
09/09/24 09:38
The world's biggest car maker has shortened its EV output for 2026 to 1 million rather than the 1.5 million it had previously forecast.
Drivers of petrol and diesel cars have 'really poor' knowledge about EVs and it's stopping many from going green, think tank claims
07/09/24 05:00
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit blamed a 'constant stream of EV misinformation' for limiting drivers' knowledge about battery-powered cars.
- 1143 comments
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Nissan car factory workers at the Sunderland plant learn sign language to support deaf colleagues
06/09/24 02:17
Following a review carried out by site operators, the department backed a proposal to learn sign language to improve working efficiency, safety and inclusivity.
Car crashes peak at this particular time of day, according to insurance claims data - and it's NOT rush hour
06/09/24 01:15
Allianz says last year it received the highest volume of claims for motor collisions during the weekday at this specific time...
- 35 comments
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Fuel duty hike would have 'devastating impact on the economy and society's most vulnerable', AA warns Chancellor
06/09/24 09:32
The motoring body says there is overwhelming evidence that any increase would not just impact drivers, but be a hammer blow to low-income households and the voluntary care sector.
Pay-per-mile scheme needs to be introduced as it's 'only fair that EV drivers pay their share' of road tax
06/09/24 05:00
Campaign for Better Transport issued the plea ahead of next month's Autumn Budget , claiming it would receive the full support of the public.
- 808 comments
- 22 shares
BMW will sell its first hydrogen car from 2028 - and it could have a range of almost 500 MILES and refuel in a matter of minutes
05/09/24 01:24
The new Beemer will able to travel around 20% further than existing hydrogen fuel cell cars on the market today and take just a matter of minutes to fill up, similar to a petrol model.
EV sales EXCEED government targets for the first time - but it comes amidst claims manufacturers are rationing petrol car availability to avoid fines
05/09/24 08:47
The achievement has been tainted by reports that car makers are limiting availability and delivery of new petrol cars to artificially inflate EV sales and meet ZEV mandate targets.
- 451 comments
- 21 shares
The risks you take when buying cheap Chinese tyres for your car: Test reveals extent of longer braking distances with budget rubber
04/09/24 11:01
Opting for cheaper Chinese tyres can mean additional stopping distances equivalent to the length of a double-decker bus.
- 498 comments
- 30 shares
Volvo abandons plans to sell only electric vehicles by 2030
04/09/24 07:52
The Swedish company announced on Wednesday it is now aiming for 90 to 100% of its global sales to be either pure electric or plug-in hybrid by the end of the decade.
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Volvo becomes latest car maker to abandon plans to sell only electric vehicles by 2030
04/09/24 02:55
The Swedish company announced on Wednesday it is now aiming for 90 to 100% of its global sales to be either pure electric or plug-in hybrid by the end of the decade.
Porsche reveals Bangkok tower where residents and their cars will be pampered - you need deep pockets if you want one of the 22 apartments
03/09/24 03:12
Construction of the 311-foot (95 metre) tall complex spanning 21 floors is scheduled to begin next year and completed by 2028.
Rowan Atkinson's 1989 Peugeot 205 GTi is heading to auction - here's how much the desirable hot hatch could sell for
03/09/24 05:00
Like a number of hot hatches from the same generation, the price of these increasingly rare cars has been soaring in the last few years.
Mini halts deliveries of new Cooper and Countryman due to safety recall
02/09/24 09:50
Orders have been delayed as a result of an impending brake system recall that's already impacted parent company BMW.
- 53 comments
- 65 shares
Drivers pay more tax on petrol in Britain than motorists across Europe - here's how much a Labour fuel duty hike would cost YOU
02/09/24 09:15
Drivers are being warned to brace themselves for a first increase in fuel duty since 2011 as part of a 'painful' Autumn Budget.
- 649 comments
- 215 shares
Jamie Oliver is selling three classic cars from his private collection - here's how much each could make at auction
30/08/24 11:14
The motors are a mix of the seventies Essex-boy favourite Ford Capri (pictured), a rare 1955 Fiat pick-up truck and a sixties VW Beetle with a bespoke matching trailer.
- 110 comments
- 30 shares
RAC patrol rushes to the de-fence of six-year-old boy with head stuck in a railing - here's the tool the breakdown technician used to free him
29/08/24 11:47
RAC patrol John Walshe has been dubbed a 'hero' after helping to free the boy who had got his head stuck between metal railings while playing with friends in a park near Dublin last week.
- 100 comments
- 59 shares
New MG ZS is cheaper than the UK's best-selling Ford Puma by £4k
29/08/24 09:22
The all-new MG ZS has been unveiled this week and has received a sporty overhaul with a new look, hybrid powertrain and more equipment than before.
- 185 comments
- 4 shares
Car manufacturing slumps for fifth month in a row as UK factories switch to EVs
28/08/24 09:04
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said the decline was mainly due to 'model change-overs and temporary supply challenges'.
- 96 comments
- 3 shares
The first new electric car to cost the SAME as the petrol version: Vauxhall confirms price parity for Frontera EV
28/08/24 02:44
The new battery and hybrid versions of the forthcoming Frontera SUV will both cost the same amount when order books open in autumn, the company said.
'Slash petrol prices NOW': RAC issues warning to retailers to play fair with motorists
28/08/24 01:05
The motoring group says retailers have scope to reduce their pump prices to 'regain the trust of drivers'.
- 88 comments
- 1 share
Nearly a third of young drivers admit filming themselves behind the wheel
27/08/24 01:40
Some 31% of 18-26-year-old drivers have recorded themselves and more than half of these have subsequently uploaded the content to social media for likes.
- 42 comments
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ULEZ and other UK low emission zones cost drivers £1BILLION in charges and penalties
27/08/24 12:05
See how much money your nearest low emission zone has generated since launching in the full list of 13 locations currently live in the UK.
Drivers urged to dodge motorway services to save up to £19 filling up this Bank Holiday weekend
25/08/24 09:00
With almost 20 million car journeys estimated over the three-day weekend, motorists will be flocking to fuel stations to fill up before or during their trips.
- 99 comments
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The shocking number of crashes involving learners DURING their driving tests revealed
24/08/24 06:00
The figures add fuel to the fire for those calling for the introduction of Graduated Driving Licences for newly-qualified motorists to improve road safety standards.
- 145 comments
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Fastest-selling cars of 2024 revealed: Quickest takes less than a fortnight while the longest takes nearly HALF A YEAR to move on
23/08/24 05:00
The quickest-selling model in the first half of the year was a French hybrid crossover that - on average - is advertised for less than a fortnight.
Motorists warned cheap Faraday pouches designed to block keyless car thefts might not work
22/08/24 03:03
The market is becoming flooded with inadequate products which fail to create a barrier to the keys locked inside your home,
My four-year-old Hyundai's engine blew up but it won't replace it under warranty because it was serviced late
22/08/24 05:00
Hyundai won't process a warranty claim for a blown-up engine because the car was serviced thousands of miles later than recommended. What are the rules?
- 131 comments
- 38 shares
There's one section of the theory test learner drivers get wrong most - would you know the answers?
20/08/24 11:01
Some 136,000 learners answered this area of the multiple choice theory test incorrectly in the first 3 months of the year. Do you know the right answer?
- 165 comments
- 60 shares
Seven in ten motorists fail to follow this Highway Code guideline when driving on the motorway...
20/08/24 02:31
By failing to go by the Highways Code recommendation when conducting this particular manoeuvre, drivers cause longer delays for themselves and others.
- 70 comments
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Chinese EV makers could flood the UK market to avoid punishing EU tariffs, analyst warns
20/08/24 11:28
Analyst Matthias Schmidt says he expects Chinese firms to shift focus away from EU markets and instead prioritise the UK as a 'safe haven' away from hiked import tariffs.
I'm a physiotherapist and these are the five health issues caused by poor driving posture
20/08/24 05:00
Motorists are being warned that failing to find an ideal driving position and poor posture at the wheel as a result can trigger a variety of health issues further down the road.
- 11 comments
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ULEZ scrappage scheme offering £2,000 to replace older cars will end within weeks
19/08/24 12:00
The ULEZ scrappage scheme, launched in January 2023 and extended in June, will close next month due to a decline in requests.
Lamborghini Temerario unveiled: New £300k hybrid supercar replaces Huracan
19/08/24 09:56
Just because it's green that doesn't mean it's not blisteringly fast, with an eye-popping 0-62mph time as well as a bank-busting price tag.
Car parts shortages fuelling motor theft epidemic as police uncover 37 chop shops THIS YEAR where stolen vehicles were being dismantled
17/08/24 07:07
With organised gangs taking advantage of higher parts prices - especially components for SUVs - illegal 'chop shops' are becoming more commonplace.
- 103 comments
- 5 shares
Drivers urged not to use QR codes when paying at car parks as 'quishing' becomes increasing threat
15/08/24 11:23
'Quishing' is the growing criminal activity of placing fake QR codes on payment machines in car parks to defraud unsuspecting drivers.
- 75 comments
- 28 shares
VW Touareg review: It's a match for premium rivals but at a lower price - so why is it not more popular?
15/08/24 05:00
We've driven the latest version of VW's premium SUV to see where - if at all - it falls down against flashier rivals...
- 106 comments
- 1 share
Vehicle fires down 14% since the pandemic but fatalities RISE - and experts can't explain why
14/08/24 03:27
Incidents where vehicles have set alight declined between 2019-2021 and have remained low ever since. Yet, the number of fatalities has consistently been stubbornly high.
- 201 comments
- 45 shares
BMW petrol and diesel drivers to be told when they should switch to an EV by a smartphone app
13/08/24 05:00
Drivers of petrol and diesel BMW models can use the application to measure 200 journeys then determine how many could have been completed in an EV without stopping to charge.
- 532 comments
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BMW boss says 'categorical ban on petrol and diesel cars is wrong'
12/08/24 10:26
Oliver Zipse said not enough is being done to accelerate development of low-CO2 fuels that could allow combustion-engined cars to remain on sale beyond 2035.
A hole lot worse! Drivers say their local roads are deteriorating as more than one in four complain their car was damaged by potholes this year
12/08/24 05:20
According to the latest research by the RAC, concern about the state of these roads has reached an all-time high.
- 118 comments
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How much do you love your car? Poll reveals the most satisfying brands to own with 90k drivers having their say
10/08/24 06:00
Here's a countdown of the top 10 most satisfying brands to own - and we'll reveal the full order from 1 to 32 of mainstream brands to see how yours ranks.
One-of-a-kind yellow Ford Escort RS Cosworth could sell for a new auction record well over £100k
09/08/24 10:40
The one-of-a-kind 1995 Escort RS Cosworth stands apart from the 7,144 others produced by Ford due to its distinctive Zinc Yellow paint.
I'm a used car appraiser and these warning lights can cost you £500 when you trade-in a vehicle - so is it cheaper to fix it first?
09/08/24 06:00
A professional vehicle appraiser explains how much a dealer will reduce their trade-in price offer based on a car having any of these three warning lights on.
- 117 comments
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Two years after landmark Highway Code rule was introduced to protect pedestrians and cyclists, two in five drivers are ignoring it
08/08/24 11:01
A poll of almost 10,000 UK motorists revealed that 42% either don't know the rule exists or had heard about it but thought it was untrue.
Britain will have a shortfall of 3,000 qualified electric car mechanics by 2031
07/08/24 02:14
A major skills gap is being predicted for a workforce of mechanics trained to service and maintain the nation's EVs - with some parts of the country already undersupplied.
- 224 comments
- 5 shares
More Britons report fellow motorists for driving illegally by sending dash cam videos to police
06/08/24 03:30
Some 135,000 video clips have been sent to the police portal in five years - and in seven in ten have resulted in punishment for perpetrators.
Petrol should have been 5p-a-litre cheaper in July and diesel 8p less expensive, says RAC - here's why
06/08/24 09:05
Fuel prices remained 'stubbornly static' in July as retailers charged inflated figures for both petrol and diesel despite wholesale prices justifying cuts at forecourts.
- 63 comments
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New car sales continue to rise but likelihood of achieving electric vehicle targets looks bleak
05/08/24 01:48
In July, electric cars made up 18.5% of all sales. To meet EV sales targets set out in the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, this share needs to rise to 22% by the close of 2024.
- 341 comments
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Ageing cars to blame for recent rise in vehicle breakdowns, Green Flag says
03/08/24 05:00
Analysis of Government data shows that the average age of registered cars in Britain has increased by 42% in the last 20 years.
- 213 comments
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This is how you should adapt your driving when a thunderstorm hits
01/08/24 08:54
The AA warned 'extreme caution is advised' as roads could become 'hazardous' due to flooding as storms are predicted across large parts on the country this week.
- 44 comments
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I want an EV charging point installed at my home, but which is best? Highest rated devices revealed
31/07/24 11:01
If you're considering switching to an EV, the most lucrative decision you can make is to install a homecharger to benefit from substantial cost savings.
- 511 comments
- 55 shares
Supercar bunker for the mega rich: Step inside new high-security vehicle storage facility near Gatwick
30/07/24 11:01
The site, which can hold almost 600 cars at a time, is fully kitted out with the most advanced storage tech and a team of heavies to keep it locked down at all times.
The tactic used by criminals to steal financed cars from Britain - with many ending up in Romania and Bulgaria
30/07/24 09:29
The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service says it has prevented the theft of - or returned - 320 stolen financed motors since 2021.
- 55 comments
- 33 shares
Meeting of mundane motors: 1982 Toyota Hilux crowned best car at Festival of the Unexceptional
30/07/24 05:00
The Festival of the Unexceptional is a unique motoring event designed to celebrate long-forgotten everyday family cars many of us would have owned during the 1970s to 1990s.
- 60 comments
- 39 shares
Rare Ford Escort RS Cosworth once loaned to Jeremy Clarkson for six months is heading to auction - it could break the bank
29/07/24 05:24
The car is notable for being the one Ford loaned to Jeremy Clarkson in 1993. But that's not the main reason for why it's going to cause a bidding frenzy on Saturday 24 August...
Third of drivers say they're better than their car's sat-nav and cruise control
29/07/24 11:38
In a poll of 2,000 drivers, the statistics revealed a surprising number of motorists are reluctant to use their car's modern tech because they think they can do a better job.
Hundreds of MG4 owners say their £27k EVs have flawed safety tech putting them at risk - what is the Chinese brand doing about it?
28/07/24 08:53
Owners of MG4 electric cars have been contacting This is Money in droves detailing the dangerous scenarios they've been put in by their Chinese EVs due to a flawed safety feature.
Ten cars turning 40 this year - but does reaching the milestone make them bona fide classics?
27/07/24 02:00
Does reaching 40 years of age guarantee that a car earns 'classic' status? Here's 10 examples of motors that arrived in 1984 - you can decide if they're deserving or not.
Drivers ripped off £1.6bn a year by fuel retailers pocketing 'significantly' higher margins
26/07/24 08:18
Increases in fuel margins cost drivers more than £1.6billion in 2023 alone, with supermarkets' fuel margins now roughly double what they were in 2019, the CMA added.
- 493 comments
- 6 shares
Car production down 7.6% as UK manufacturers update lines to build EVs
25/07/24 03:32
The decline is 'in-line with expectations' due to car makers updating their assembly lines to produce electrified vehicles, says industry body the SMMT.
- 88 comments
- shares
Drink-drive deaths reach highest level since 2009, Government figures show
25/07/24 12:21
An estimated 300 people were killed in crashes involving at least one driver over the legal alcohol limit in 2022. The last time deaths were so high was the 380 recorded 13 years earlier.
- 59 comments
- shares
Twenty-year-old gold Lamborghini Diablo with 500 miles on the clock is set to fetch a huge price at auction
25/07/24 12:14
Just 42 examples of this ultra-rare Diablo variant were produced, with the auction house in charge of finding its new owner saying it 'takes desirability to the next level'.
Seven in ten electric vehicles will be stung with the additional £410-a-year 'luxury car' premium tax when VED exemption ends next year
25/07/24 11:00
Tax exemptions ending on 1 April 2025 will 'create further cost barriers for drivers looking to transition to EVs,' says Auto Express.
- 656 comments
- 440 shares
Renault offers DIVORCE money back pledge on new electric Scenic family car - but there's a catch
24/07/24 11:01
The French car maker is introducing 'Relationship Breakdown Cover' for its new family EV to guarantee a refund to couples who divorce or dissolve a civil partnership after taking delivery.
- 25 comments
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More than 350 vehicles are stolen every day as Britain's car crimewave shows no sign of slowing, official figures reveal
24/07/24 02:53
Some 129,159 vehicles were pinched between April 2023 and March 2024, compared to 130,119 for same period in 2022-23, ONS data shows.
Government unaware of the 'truly dire state' of potholed local roads, spending watchdog says
23/07/24 02:37
Road safety groups have said the report is 'damning indictment of the state of UK local roads and their upkeep'.
Renault boss says 'we're not on the right trajectory to achieve 100% electric cars by 2035' as Porsche waters down its EV ambitions
23/07/24 09:35
Luca De Meo, boss of Renault, has warned customers aren't ready to switch to EVs and called for 'more flexibility' in the 2035 deadline. Porsche has also watered down its own EV ambitions.

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