Freda Lewis-Stempel, Motoring Reporter

Freda Lewis-Stempel joined Daily Mail and ThisisMoney as Motoring Reporter with a wealth of experience across the automotive industry. Freda has written and presented both in-house and freelance across the sector - for luxury EV companies, e-commerce car dealers including cinch and Cazoo, OEMs and household magazines such as Country Life Magazine. She specialises in electric cars and sustainability.

Coverage: Cars Electric Cars

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Iran conflict triggers surge in EV demand - here's what to know before swapping to electric

27/03/26 07:01

Petrol and diesel prices are through the roof due to the Iran War, with many people now considering switching to an EV. But what should you know before you do? We've looked into the war's impact on electricity prices, waiting times for home charger installations, and the average cost of used EVs, all so that you can make an informed decision on whether it's time to make the switch to save money....read

Daniel Craig helps launch BYD's new premium Chinese EV brand Denza in Europe
26/03/26 03:20
Denza, BYD's new energy vehicle sub-brand, has revelaed Daniel Craig as its new brand ambassador ahead of its European launch.
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The 10 most reliable used cars aged between three and 15 years old revealed - is yours on the list?
26/03/26 07:00
The most reliable used cars have been revealed by Warrantywise. These are the top 10 models - and there's a lot of small, affordable cars on the list.
- 549 comments
- 198 shares
Undercover investigation exposes shocking overcharging at car garages
25/03/26 07:14
An investigation of nationwide garages by automotive diagnostic specialist Carly has found that drivers are being overcharged up to five times to genuine cost for simple repairs.
- 158 comments
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Drivers now more willing to buy an EV despite pay-per-mile and mixed government policy
24/03/26 12:01
The AA's latest EV readiness Index shows that British drivers are more open to getting an EV especially due to low used prices,
- 374 comments
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Chinese car imports into Europe overtake exports heading in the opposite direction for the first time
23/03/26 10:39
Exports of cars and parts from the EU to China fell 34% last year to €16bn (£13.85bn). At the same time, imports from China into the bloc rose 8% to €22bn (£19bn).
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Best used electric cars for less than £10k to beat spiralling petrol and diesel prices
22/03/26 07:00
Petrol prices are soaring and buying a used EV has never looked more tempting to keep costs down. So here are 10 second-hand EV buyers for less than £10k.
- 908 comments
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US electric SUV giant Rivian is coming to the UK... but not for a while
21/03/26 08:11
Californian EV maker Rivian is finally coming to the UK with its R2 model. But Britons will have to wait two years to get their hands on the Tesla Model Y rival.
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Jaecoo takes another leaf out of JLR's book with Black Edition of its 'Temu Range Rover' - and it's considerably cheaper
18/03/26 11:21
The Jaecoo 7 viral sensation Chinese SUV, dubbed the 'Temu Range Rover', is launching in a stealth mode Black Edition. You'll be able to snap up the dramatic SUV from May.
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Watch out Volkswagen! China's latest electric hatchback will arrive this year and cost £5k less than a VW ID.3
17/03/26 11:13
With the Chinese car maker already having a strong footprint of undercutting European competition, its new A05 looks set to follow in these tyre tracks.
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Changan Deepal S05: Can this Europe-centric £38k electric SUV entice buyers?
17/03/26 07:00
Changan is the Chinese car maker with a strong base already in Europe. But you've probably never heard of it. Can its Deepal S05 crack the increasingly competitive UK market?
Major shopping centre to become Britain's largest electric car charging hub
16/03/26 03:11
Raw charging will deliver a total of 1,000 new charging bays across 28 Landsec locations, including the Kent retail hotspot.
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China's first five-minute charge EV is coming to the UK: Meet the Denza Z9GT
13/03/26 12:45
The Z9GT is the first model from Denza - a sub-brand of BYD - and the only EV currently compatible with the Chinese giant's Flash Charging devices.
- 395 comments
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Chinese car makers target larger families: Is MG's new seven-seater a better option than Jaecoo's biggest 'Temu Range Rover'?
13/03/26 08:44
Two Chinese car brands have released seven-seat hybrids models within days of each other as the pair go head-to-head in the battle for deposits from larger families.
- 151 comments
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Car makers call for urgent review of EV sales targets as demand wanes - but ministers say industry is complying
12/03/26 03:38
The SMMT said the Government's Zero Emission Vehicle mandate designed to guide the transition to electric cars is a 'straitjacket' that is putting 'huge pressure' on the automotive sector.
- 274 comments
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Renault goes all-in on EVs as it targets becoming 'benchmark European car maker'
10/03/26 09:12
The Renault Group owns Renault, Alpine and Dacia - and it has big expansion plans. Here's what you need to know about the 'futuREady' strategy and the EVs it will deliver.
- 100 comments
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The viral Chinese 'Temu Range Rover' is being recalled: Is your Jaecoo 7 affected?
09/03/26 11:43
Some 7,500 Jaecoo 7 SUVs are being called back due to an issue that could make the engine stall.
The electric cars that lose the most range when it's very cold: Hundreds of miles disappear in extreme conditions
09/03/26 07:00
More than 20 new electric cars have seen their winter range performance put to the world's largest independent real-world test. So, which EVs hold their range and which lose it?
A hybrid SUV that can really go the distance: Chery Tiggo 7 is a Chinese car that will tick the boxes for families in Britain
05/03/26 07:00
Chery has launched in the UK and its 7 CSH 'Super Hybrid' SUV is the cheapest way into the brand. Freda Lewis-Stempel reviews the long range hybrid SUV to see it it offers bang for buck.
- 178 comments
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How WHIPPED CREAM is protecting you in car crashes: Ford invents new airbag system inspired by dessert cannister
04/03/26 03:16
Ford has introduced a new kind of airbag into its Explorer and Capri EVs. The side airbag technology is inspired by whipped cream canisters. It works to reduce side-impact injuries.
Is the cost of running an EV about to fall? Court rules in favour of tax cut on public charging
02/03/26 03:09
A landmark ruling by the First-Tier Tribunal Tax Chamber has been handed down that would apply just 5% VAT to EV public charging instead of 20% currently.
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Labour boosts electric car home charger grants by £150 - but many are locked out from the discount
27/02/26 01:00
The scheme is only open to people who live in rented properties, own flats, run businesses or occupy houses without driveways.
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Lamborghini scraps plan for an electric supercar due to a lack of EV demand from its core buyers
26/02/26 02:55
Lamborghini has moved away from electric vehicles, culling its forthcoming Lanzador EV opting instead for a plug-in hybrid model due to 'very limited demand.'
Chinese car giant famous for its viral 'Temu Range Rover' launches new £29,000 SUV with Kate Moss lookalike as the face
23/02/26 10:22
Chinese car giant Chery has gone down the copycat campaign route to launch its new Omoda 7 SUV.
MG puts two cheap EV hatchbacks on sale at the same time - but which one should you buy?
22/02/26 07:00
MG has refreshed its top-selling MG4 EV for 2026, and brought out an MG4 Urban model to go alongside it. But which cheap EV is a better family buy? We tests both to find out.
Honda recalls tens of thousands of cars over concerns that the wheels could fall off
20/02/26 04:03
Honda has issued a recall notice for over 46,000 Civic family hatchbacks due to a tightening torque defect which can cause the wheel nut to loosen and the wheel to potentially fall off.
- 106 comments
- 24 shares
Brussels considers 'Made in Europe' rule for electric cars to temper Chinese competition
20/02/26 08:05
The EU is drafting legislation that would require car makers to ensure at least 70% of EV components come from EU countries in a bid to stop Chinese brands taking over.
- 262 comments
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Are plug-in hybrid cars pulling the eco wool over our eyes? Study claims they guzzle THREE TIMES more fuel than advertised
19/02/26 04:06
The German Fraunhofer Institute says plug-in hybrid vehicles - which as seen as a steppingstone to EVs -.are far less economical than motorists are being led to believe.
- 243 comments
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One in 10 drivers now won't head out at night due to dazzling car headlights and claim the problem is getting worse
19/02/26 02:05
Headlight glare is getting worse according to drivers, with less people wanting to drive in the dark this year than last.
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How much battery capacity have used electric cars in Britain lost over the years? A new report exposes the truth
18/02/26 10:26
The UK's largest used-EV battery study claims they are performing materially better than many assume, with most vehicles comfortably exceeding car maker warranty thresholds.
- 454 comments
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Two thirds of drivers say they will use the new Fuel Finder Scheme - what is it and could it save you money?
15/02/26 07:00
67 per cent of drivers will use the Government's new Fuel Finder Scheme to find the cheapest fuel prices nearby, a new survey shows. Live pricing will be available online, via smartphone or sat-nav.
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Tesla tries to claw customers back with a long range version of its best-selling Model Y SUV - but is it worth paying extra for?
14/02/26 07:00
Tesla is on a cheaper car crusade and its latest model to be introduced at a lower price is the new Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive Model Y which comes with 383 miles of range.
MG runs low on cars! How the Chinese-owned manufacturer became a victim of its own success
13/02/26 07:01
MG has seen unprecedented growth in the UK and Europe, in the past few years. Now it has run out of cars - and its UK commercial director tell us why.
Best-selling used cars of 2025: Ford Fiesta takes top spot despite being axed
12/02/26 06:00
Used car sales rose 2.2 per cent in 2025, as EV sales surged 45.7 per cent. What were the best-selling second hand models? Two Ford cars took over the top 10...
- 112 comments
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Lepas launches in Britain: Chinese car giant Chery brings yet another brand to UK roads later this year
10/02/26 10:00
Chery, China's largest car exporter, is bringing its fourth brand to the UK. Lepas, a new energy vehicle SUV brand will arrive in Q3 of this year.
- 237 comments
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Secret to cheaper EV charging in the future? Energy trial by Ohme saw 20,000 owners leave their car plugged in...
07/02/26 07:00
Ohne home charging provider asked customers to take part in a Crowdflex energy trial to earn rewards and help grid demand. In 13 months EV 20,000 customers saved a combined £750k.
- 340 comments
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Smart motorways dubbed 'catastrophic waste of time, money and effort'
06/02/26 03:31
Controversial 'smart' motorways are barely providing any economic benefit, damning new analysis has found.
Electric car momentum stalls: EV sales rose just 0.1% in January
05/02/26 11:11
Just 29,654 EVs were sold last month, which is only 20 more battery cars than were registered in January 2025.
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After China bans Tesla-style hidden door handles, here are eight modern car features safety experts and drivers want axed next
05/02/26 07:00
While designed to make vehicles greener, safer and increasingly convenient, they can be flawed or totally redundant, thus making them incredibly irritating and dangerous for motorists.
The 'Temu Range Rover' that's become a sales sensation: Britons bought more Jaecoo 7s than any other car in the last year
05/02/26 12:01
The Jaecoo 7 - also known as the viral 'Temu Range Rover' - has been crowned the most popular new car among private buyers in the first year on sale in Britain.
King Charles' old Audi heading for auction - and it could be yours for a very reasonable price
04/02/26 02:08
The then-Prince of Wales was photographed driving the car between 2015 and 2016. It will go under the hammer later this month.
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Councils need more funding to install public EV charge points
03/02/26 09:00
A lack of council and central government funding for EV charge points is stalling EV charging network rollout, research shows.
- 227 comments
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Nearly half of drivers now scared of driving on smart motorways
03/02/26 12:01
An increasing number of drivers admit they feel nervous or anxious driving on 'smart' motorways - high speed roads with no hard shoulder.
Chinese car giant to open new European HQ in Liverpool as rumours of deal with Jaguar Land Rover to make vehicles in UK factories surface
02/02/26 08:35
Focused specifically on research and development, the site isn't expected to build any vehicles with production retained in its home nation.
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BYD Sealion 5 DM-i: Is the latest Chinese plug-in hybrid to arrive in Britain worth the £30,000 price tag?
31/01/26 07:01
BYD is the largest EV maker in the world and taking the UK by storm. It's new plug-in hybrid Sealion 5 DM-i model is here. But can it impress as well as deliver an affordable £29,995 starting price?
Volvo tells customers to not charge their electric SUVs above 70% due to battery 'fire risks'
30/01/26 12:04
The Swedish car maker - now owned by Chinese giant Geely - has informed owners of its £33k EX30 EV to not charge above this threshold as faulty batteries could lead to fire in rare cases.
- 510 comments
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Is Tesla turning its back on electric cars? Musk's firm stops producing pioneering Model S and X
30/01/26 09:28
Tesla will cease making its Model X SUV and Model S saloon in the next few months as it pivots towards robots, self-driving taxis and AI.
Chinese car giant Chery could use JLR plant to build its cars in the UK as Keir Starmer travels to Beijing
29/01/26 11:16
Chery - which is China's largest car exporter - is in talks to utilise a JLR site which is operating at 'undercapacity' to build its own brand cars, according to reports.
- 132 comments
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I've driven King Charles' new £140k Chinese electric hyper-SUV - here's what it's really like
29/01/26 07:00
King Charles was at the weekend seen in his new Lotus Eletre. We've driven the Chinese-made all-electric hyper-SUV. Here's what we thought - especially about its 603hp.
Ineos Grenadier gets an upgrade for 2026: Has a steering overhaul finally made this go-anywhere off-roader better to drive on the road?
28/01/26 09:24
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's car brand has updated its Grenadier and Quartermaster models for 2026 based on customer feedback. So, does it drive better than before?
Richard Hammond is selling four of his favourite cars... here's what you could buy
28/01/26 09:00
The former Top Gear presenter and motoring enthusiast is selling four of his prized motors next month - including a Fast Ford and a pre-war touring car.
We drive the cheapest Tesla Model Y - can the new £42k 'Standard' fix the brand's reputation and reverse its sales slump?
24/01/26 07:00
Tesla is kicking off 2026 with a new approach and a new cut-price version of its best-selling Model Y SUV by £7,000. We test drove the new Model Y Standard to see if its a bargain or bag full of false promises.
BMW's 500-mile iX3 electric SUV voted 'Car of the Year': What Car? reveals best models you can buy in 2026
22/01/26 11:00
BMW's electric iX3 SUV has claimed the coveted honour of being the 2026 Car of the Year at the annual 'Motoring Oscars'. The second-generation EV has a range of 500 miles and 400kW charging.
I've driven the Chinese EVs taking Britain by storm... here are the best five - and one to avoid
20/01/26 10:00
When it comes to choosing a new car, buyers will want different things. But high up the list for almost all prospective buyers is value for money.
Germany launches huge discounts to boost electric and hybrid car sales - and it dwarfs UK grants
20/01/26 09:46
The German Government will discount the price of new electric and plug-in hybrid cars to boost sales - and the savings are significantly larger than those Britons are being offered.
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Faded road markings are causing a 'frightening' number of near crashes, RAC warns
20/01/26 12:01
One in six drivers say they've almost been involved in crashes due to faded road markings, according to a new survey of motorists.
- 270 comments
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Does fast charging an electric car shorten the battery's lifespan?
19/01/26 10:25
On average, EV batteries lose just over 2% of their capacity a year, a new study has found. But there is a detrimental impact to battery lifespan for those who regularly use rapid and ultra-rapid chargers.
Most popular colours for new cars revealed - and a bold tone stages a comback
16/01/26 12:01
For the eighth year in a row grey has topped the new car colour charts, 2025 figures from the SMMT confirm. But there is some colour in the top three...
- 115 comments
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Best used electric cars for less than £10,000 with a decent range: Our EV expert reveals her five top choices
15/01/26 10:20
I want to buy a used, compact EV under £10,000 with a range of 200 miles or more. It needs to be spacious and NOT a Tesla. What are my options?
- 484 comments
- 45 shares
Dacia will be the first brand to sell two electric city cars at the same time - and both cost around £15k
14/01/26 12:43
The Romanian budget brand's new £15,000 EV will be revealed soon and will share a platform with the Renault Twingo.
EU set to relax tariffs on Chinese EVs as demand for cheap Far East models rocket
13/01/26 11:15
The European Commission has published guidance that would see Chinese EV makers set minimum prices for their electric vehicles.
- 146 comments
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Rachel Reeves set to cut VAT on public electric car charging to offset fears over pay-per-mile tax
13/01/26 09:54
The Government is could make EV charging on the public network cheaper by clashing VAT by 15%. The aim is to stop EV demand being killed from pay-per-mile tax in 2028.
- 236 comments
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Most affordable Tesla yet: Struggling US EV maker launches cut-price Model 3 Standard
10/01/26 07:00
Tesla has brought out another cut-price version of one of its best-selling models to tempt buyers back to the brand. The Model 3 Standard will cost £37,990 and is on sale now.
Kia launches its smallest electric SUV yet - and it will cost less than £25k
09/01/26 03:21
The Korean brand is the latest to launch a new compact-size electric car with a low start price. Here's what we know about it so far.
- 155 comments
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Volvo's 500-mile range electric EX60 SUV is almost here
08/01/26 05:56
The full reveal will happen on 21 January but here's what we know.
- 304 comments
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What Labour's road safety strategy means for YOU - from mandatory over 70s eye tests to stricter drink drive limits
07/01/26 12:01
The Government has announced the first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade. It will tackle everything from drink-drive limits to mandatory eye tests.
- 313 comments
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Tesla killer BYD sees record breaking sales results in the UK
06/01/26 09:50
Chinese car giant BYD has cemented itself in the UK as the biggest seller of 'electrified' vehicles It sold more EVs and plug-in hybrids than any other brand. Globally BYD outsold Tesla in EVs.
Have you been defrosting your car all wrong? Here's how to do it without damaging your vehicle - or getting a fine
05/01/26 02:58
With the cold snap set in motorists are needing to defrost their cars on the daily. So, here are our tips for safely, legally and effectively defrosting your car windows to avoid being fined.
- 508 comments
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Peugeot e-3008 Dual Motor: Is it worth paying over £50k for a Peugeot EV?
03/01/26 08:20
Peugeot is trying to catch the premium electric SUV buyer with its Dual Motor e-3008 model. But with a £50k-plus price tag for a car with only over 300 miles of range, is it really a family buy?
- 225 comments
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The most and least reliable electric cars named and shamed
02/01/26 07:01
You'd expect EVs to breakdown less because they have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel models. But is that true? We reveal the EVs that are reliable and those that aren't...
Has Labour killed off the pick-up truck with tax hikes? We put three popular models to the test to see if they're worth the premium
01/01/26 12:20
In April, Labour stopped double cabs from being treated as commericial vehicles, and instead they are being treated as cars.
- 98 comments
- 21 shares
Brand new cars coming in 2026: Our A-Z preview Part 2 - from Bentley to new Chinese brand Denza
31/12/25 07:00
With a new year comes a fresh batch of cars hitting showrooms for the first time. And 2026's arrivals are predominately EVs. Here are the second lot of 13 models to look out for.
Brand new cars coming in 2026: Our A-Z preview begins - from BMW to Volkswagen
30/12/25 07:00
With a new year comes a fresh batch of cars hitting showrooms for the first time. And 2026's arrivals are predominately EVs. Here are 13 models to look out for.
The ten most reliable SUVs revealed - rated by the drivers who own them
28/12/25 07:00
SUVs are the most popular car type in the UK, outselling the supermini. But are they reliable to own or will they suffer faults and be expensive to repair? Here are the models you can count on...
Ten of the most loved cars that are going electric in 2026
27/12/25 07:41
Every year more EVs arrive on the new car market, and 2026 is no different. Many famous nameplates are going electric - from Porsche Cayenne to Renault Twingo. Here are 10.
Best and worst breakdown providers revealed: When the worst happens, which patrols can you really count on?
23/12/25 07:00
To make sure your car is fixed quickly, here are the best and worst breakdown providers ranked by car owners.
- 189 comments
- 59 shares
How electric car drivers can avoid charging queues when driving home for Christmas
21/12/25 12:16
Every year millions of drivers take to the roads before Christmas to reunite with friends and family. But what should you know if you're driving an electric car? Here's our savings guide.
Car production falls amid concerns it could get worse after EU turned its back on 2035 petrol and diesel ban
19/12/25 10:23
Britain's vehicle production fell 14.3% last month, as both car and commercial vehicle output declined, new industry figures.
- 63 comments
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Politicians making drivers lose confidence in electric vehicles
19/12/25 12:01
The EU watering down its 2035 ban on petrol, and new pay-per-mile taxes in the UK are weaking confidence, says a new report.
- 129 comments
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Britain's driving test backlog crisis won't be cleared until November 2027 as DVSA parachutes in new chief exec to clear logjam of learners
17/12/25 03:41
The backlog situation has become so bad that a third of learners are paying third parties up to £500 to book a test because of the wait times, a watchdog has found.
- 52 comments
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