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

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM FREDA LEWIS-STEMPEL

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Is 'self-healing' asphalt developed by scientists and AI prediction software the answer to pothole-free roads?

10/02/25 11:41

Self-healing asphalt roads could provide a sustainable and quick fix to the UK's spiralling pothole problem, new groundbreaking research has found. Designed using AI from Google Cloud, the asphalt can mend its own cracks and 'stitch' itself back together, which does away with the need for human intervention....read

Over-the-air software updates for cars: What are they and how can they increase the value of a car?
09/02/25 07:00
Over-the-air updates are so common now we live in a world of 'software-defined-vehicles'. But how do OTAs work and why do they add value to a car?
Britain IS on track to hit EV charging targets as the number of devices rises almost 40% in a year
08/02/25 07:00
The UK saw a 37% increase in the number of EV charging points in the UK last year, the latest figures from the Department for Transport and ZapMap shows.
- 766 comments
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Is Elon Musk turning people off Tesla? Two-thirds of car buyers would rather buy an EV from China, survey claims
08/02/25 07:00
China's BYD for the first time sold more EVs in Britain than Tesla over a month. In January, the Far East relative newcomer recorded 1,614 registrations compared to Tesla's 1,458.
Is it illegal to cycle home from the pub after drinking alcohol - and could it result in losing my driving licence?
07/02/25 07:01
My friend told me I could automatically lose my driving licence for cycling drunk from the pub. Is that true? Is it illegal to cycle drunk?
- 222 comments
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Volkswagen's affordable small EV is on the way: What we know about the ID.1 and its bargain price tag
06/02/25 02:28
Volkswagen has teased it latest electric car due in 2027 - and it will genuinely be an affordable option.
The car insurers who drag their heels processing claims REVEALED: Are you covered by one of the slowest?
06/02/25 12:01
A survey of over 4,700 car insurance claimants has found that many firms are prolonging the ordeal of making a claim for motorists.
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Drivers owe almost half a BILLION pounds in unpaid ULEZ fines
04/02/25 09:14
Just one in five drivers are paying their ULEZ fines on time, new research shows, as motorists purposefully ignore Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
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Car insurance costs drop £221 in a year: We reveal which drivers are seeing the biggest falls
04/02/25 09:09
The average cost of car insurance has fallen by 23% annually new research from Compare the Market shows.
- 31 comments
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When will Hammersmith Bridge finally reopen for cars... and could drivers have to pay a fee to use it?
04/02/25 06:00
Hammersmith Bridge could reopen to motor vehicles after the taskforce aimed at fixing it met for the first time in years. But it could take a decade and see a toll introduced.
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Is Tesla set to launch a cheaper EV soon? Here's why a sub-£28k model is on the cards...
03/02/25 12:59
Elon Musk has once again said Tesla will bring an 'affordable' EV to the market. It's slated to arrive soon this year and cost less than £28k - but is it a just Tesla talk or truth?
Drivers owe almost half a BILLION pounds in unpaid ULEZ fines and one has 1,077 charges totalling £2.4m
03/02/25 06:00
Just one in five drivers are paying their ULEZ fines on time, new research shows, as motorists purposefully ignore Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
- 101 comments
- 218 shares
Europe's best-selling car of 2024 was a £7k Romanian city runaround - is yours in the top 20?
02/02/25 07:00
The Dacia Sandero was the best-selling car in Europe last year, knocking the Tesla Model Y off top spot and marking the year of the budget car buying frenzy.
Banned number plates revealed: Full list of new '25' registrations the DVLA's deemed too rude for the road
31/01/25 08:54
The DVLA has revealed its list of banned '25' number plates before March 1 new reg plates go on sale. Here's the list of plates that are deemed too rude or offensive.
- 407 comments
- 62 shares
Bespoke British carmaker puts 'all future plans on hold' due to unclear government EV targets
30/01/25 01:49
Small car manufacturers are unable to develop new models because the Government has not clarified if they are exempt from EV sales targets, Lister's CEO has warned.
- 31 comments
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What is Chancellor Rachel Reeves promising electric car drivers in her new economy boosting pledge?
29/01/25 02:27
The Government has announced a massive £65m of investment into electric car charging infrastructure as part of Rachel Reeves' economic boost plans.
- 199 comments
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Why am I paying £710 a year in car tax while my neighbour only pays £190 for the same make of car?
29/01/25 11:43
I own a 2015 BMW M5 and it now costs me £710 a year to tax but I was talking to my neighbour who owns a similar model and he only pays £190. Why is this?
- 785 comments
- 39 shares
French car giant reveals it will ditch plug-in hybrids
29/01/25 06:00
The Government is currently consulting on what types of new hybrids will be given a five-year stay of execution beyond the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
- 355 comments
- 24 shares
The car tech we HATE: Motorists driven loopy by these intrusive features
28/01/25 09:04
From lane departure assist to reversing cameras, modern motors are fitted with a suite of assistance features - often pushing up the price of new models..
All car manufacturers complied with ZEV mandate last year to escape government fines
27/01/25 03:06
We can reveal doom-laden predictions that car makers would miss EV sales targets and be fined have now been proven wrong.
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The NEW Tesla Model Y has arrived: Britain's best-selling EV gets a comprehensive makeover - here's every update and how much it costs
24/01/25 12:43
The Tesla Model Y - Britain's favourite EV - has had an exterior and interior and range overhaul. The new Launch Series cars will arrive in time for summer - but what's new?
The Range Rover that's least loved by drivers in survey of 60k UK car owners
24/01/25 12:01
The most-loved and the least-loved cars in the UK have been revealed by consumer watchdog Which?. And a green Range Rover received the lowest satisfaction score ever.
What Car? reveals the best new models you can buy: Renault 5 EV wins coveted Car of the Year
23/01/25 11:00
Want to see which other cars scored big at the WhatCar? Awards? You can find out which is the best new model in each vehicle category.
Is Citroen set to launch an electric 2CV? French car brand in 'early stages' of bringing back an icon
23/01/25 06:00
Citroen looks set to join the retro-electric train by bringing back its most famous model. Autocar has reported the French brand will bring out a cheap 2CV EV.
Are dazzling LED headlights set to be banned? Government confirms new study and 'potential countermeasures'
22/01/25 12:02
The Government has responded to MP queries about LED headlights confirming new independent research amid public safety concerns.
- 421 comments
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The 3G shutdown will drive up the cost of parking your car... here's why
21/01/25 09:18
The UK's 3G network will switch off this year, rendering pay and display machines obsolete and unworkable. How will this impact drivers and will you end up paying more?
- 61 comments
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Can AI fix our pothole problem? Government believes so... but drivers are dubious
20/01/25 12:05
Part of the Government's newly announced AI Opportunities Action Plan are ambitious plans to use of AI to 'spot potholes quicker'.
Is China poised to buy German car factories facing closure?
20/01/25 10:17
China is said to be eyeing up German automotive factories heading for closure, in a bid to grow its influence within the heart of European car manufacturing.
- 90 comments
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I bumped a parked car in the car park - what should I do?
20/01/25 08:09
A common question motorists ask is: what do I do if I bump someone's car in the car park? We've asked the experts so you know how to cover yourself.
- 120 comments
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Most popular colours for new cars revealed - with one noughties shade bouncing back...
17/01/25 02:34
For the seventh year in a row grey has topped the new car colour charts, 2024 figures from the SMMT confirm. But there's a new entrant in the top three...
Polestar 7 confirmed - and it'll be a premium compact SUV EV
17/01/25 12:27
Scandi EV brand Polestar has confirmed it will be launching a premium compact SUV EV, joining the fastest growing and most profitable market segment.
When will EV charge pricing be shown on signs at petrol stations?
17/01/25 07:00
When will EV charging stations have live pricing in the same way fuel stations do? And how do you know how much a charge will cost? Here's our guide to EV charging pricing.
- 351 comments
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The 'earliest and most important Ferrari in existence' is for public sale for the first time ever
16/01/25 01:17
The 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa will go to auction on the shores of Italy's Lake Como with an estimate of up to €7.5M, which is £6.3M, or $7.7M.
- 53 comments
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BT U-turns on its aim to deliver 60,000 on-street EV chargers in old cabinets after installing just ONE
16/01/25 10:41
BT will no longer retrofit green street cabinet into EV chargers after changing tack and turning attention to improving Wi-Fi connectivity for EV owners.
- 218 comments
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Car valuation experts warn over modifying a vehicle - here's why
16/01/25 06:00
We can exclusively reveal that car experts are warning against car modifications. Cap hpi says mods can tank the resale value and cause insurance headaches.
- 22 comments
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Pothole-related car damage repair costs surge: Here's how to claim compensation
15/01/25 12:02
On National Pothole Day the state of our roads is bleak. Callouts were up a fifth end of 2024, car repair costs increased and compensation claims rose 20 per cent.
How to get two years' free EV driving - the charger deal to know about
14/01/25 06:00
EDF's new deal offers both existing and new customers £300 credit if you sign up to a home charger/tariff bundle.
- 301 comments
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Another council looks to introduce emissions-based parking which would see high polluting cars paying DOUBLE
13/01/25 03:13
Reading is the latest council to consider charging cars that pollute more - which is often larger cars such as SUVs - more to park on the street and with permits.
- 216 comments
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Your car repair costs are set to soar even HIGHER in 2025, motoring experts warn
13/01/25 07:00
2025 is looking to be an even more expensive year for car repairs, new data warns, with experts concerned that drivers will shun repairs and maintenance to avoid bills.
- 176 comments
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New look Tesla Model Y revealed - and it's pinched a few Cybertruck features
10/01/25 04:33
Tesla's best-selling car has finally been given a facelift and emerges in 2025 with new looks and improved range. Here's a first glimpse at the Cybertruck-inspired tweaks.
SUVs officially become Britain's favourite type of car for the first time on record
10/01/25 07:00
A third of new cars entering the road last year were 'Chelsea Tractors', snatching the mantle of most popular segment from superminis, which had topped the sales charts for decades.
Do you own one of the most scrapped cars of 2024? Number one is a hugely popular Ford family hatchback
09/01/25 12:48
Scrap Car Comparison has revealed which models were most commonly crushed between January and December. Many are best sellers from the 00s.
The nation's electric car charging network saw record growth in 2024 - but is it accelerating fast enough to hit green targets?
08/01/25 02:16
The number of charge points installed in the UK over the course of 2024 was the highest annual level seen, with over 20,000 new devices added.
- 160 comments
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Will the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars happen... and will I still be able to drive my petrol car?
08/01/25 12:02
The Government has yet again reiterated that it will ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 - but has also launched a consultation into the deadline date...
Honda reveals 0 Saloon and 0 SUV to spearhead EV revolution from 2026
07/01/25 08:01
Honda has unveiled the prototype versions of the two electric cars from its new 0 Series which will arrive in 2026 and come with AI and autonomous driving.
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Dramatic Honda 0 Saloon and 0 SUV will spearhead Japanese brand's electric revolution from 2026
07/01/25 07:00
Honda has unveiled the prototype versions of the two electric cars from its new 0 Series which will arrive next year and come with AI and autonomous driving.
This Labour council DOUBLES the cost of EV parking permits but slashes price of high-emission ones...
07/01/25 11:07
Labour-run Dover District Council has made a controversial decision to hike EV parking permits by 162%, while slashing the cost of petrol car permits.
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EV sales fall short of government targets for 2024 - will manufacturers now be fined?
06/01/25 03:19
New electric car sales in 2024 were below the required amount to hit Government ZEV Mandate sales targets, new figures show.
- 560 comments
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Do I make friends and family pay who charge their EV using my electricity when they visit?
05/01/25 06:00
Should I ask my father-in-law to pay to charge his EV on my home charger? He comes at least once a month and I'm always paying for his charge. What's the etiquette? We asks the experts.
- 349 comments
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Five of the best car adverts that will be remembered forever
04/01/25 06:00
Splashy, sexy and expensive, car adverts are hard to miss. Here are our top five, from a gravity-defying 1980s classic to a noughties clip that was banned before 7:30pm.
25 new cars coming in 2025 PART 2: Second of our A-Z lists includes newcomers from Ferrari, BMW and Lamborghini
31/12/24 07:00
As 2024 draws to a close, This is Money has picked its 25 favourite new cars set to arrive in UK over the next 12 months. Part 2 of our rundown is here and it's full of luxury cars.
Five budget EVs coming soon including a £17k Renault Twingo and £22k Fiat Panda
30/12/24 07:00
With a new year fast approaching what budget-friendly new EVs are coming down the road? And how many of them will be less than £25,000?
Brand new cars coming in 2025: Our A-Z preview begins - from BMW iX3 to the VW ID.2
30/12/24 07:00
With a new year comes a fresh batch of cars hitting showrooms for the first time. And 2025's arrivals are predominately EVs. Here are 12 models to look out for.
Can you live in an electric car? FREDA LEWIS-STEMPEL took the new Tesla Model Y to a remote island on 'camp mode' to find out
29/12/24 12:00
Tesla's Model Y has a glamping feature: the £200 Air Mattress that lets you turn your EV into a home on wheels. But can you really live out of a Tesla?
- 213 comments
- 51 shares
Cars are getting too big for parking spaces - so is YOUR 'mega SUV' far larger than the typical bay?
28/12/24 12:01
As cars expand in size - with some of the biggest almost 5.4m long - the problems for drivers keep growing.
- 1202 comments
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I tried Tesla 360 living: Driving a Model Y to a solar home with a Powerwall 3 to test Musk's green energy dream
26/12/24 12:18
What's Tesla's clean energy system really like? Freda Lewis-Stempel visited Cumbria, driving the Model Y RWD and staying in a Powerwall-powered house to find out.
- 468 comments
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Win on Sunday, sell on Monday: How luxury fashion brands are tapping into motorsport
23/12/24 09:05
Motorsport, especially F1, is generating millions for sponsors, with every luxury brand wanting a slice of the very lucrative pie. What is it about adrenalined racing that proves so attractive?
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I drove the most attention-grabbing vehicle around London for a week... and it only costs £8k
22/12/24 12:00
This is Money's Freda Lewis-Stempel drove a Citroen Ami electric 'car' around London for a week and became as papped as an A-list celebrity.
Driving home for Christmas (or to family) in an electric car? How to avoid charging queues and top-up for less
22/12/24 11:22
More EVs than ever will be driving home for Christmas this year. So what do you need to know before embarking on a festive trip in your EV? Here are our top tips.
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The 10 craziest Christmas gifts from luxury car brands - including a £330k electric BOAT!
21/12/24 07:00
We've picked the most outrageous and glamorous gifts luxury car brands offer this Christmas so you can find the perfect present for a petrolhead - if you have deep, deep pockets.
How much worse are Britain's roads getting? More routes deteriorating into a poor condition as Labour increases funds to fix potholes
20/12/24 11:57
The Government has pledged to spend a record £1.6billion next year fixing potholes across England as part of its latest effort to tackle the biggest scourge on our roads. But is it enough?
Japanese car makers Honda and Nissan hold merger talks
18/12/24 10:51
The Japanese car manufacturing giants are said to be considering operating under a holding company and will sign a memorandum to that effect.
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Two major car manufacturers in talks to start merger to compete as largest electric vehicle makers
18/12/24 09:44
The Japanese car manufacturing giants are said to be considering operating under a holding company and will sign a memorandum to that effect.
- 168 comments
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Charge anxiety overtakes range as biggest barrier to EV adoption
18/12/24 12:01
The lack of public charging infrastructure is now seen as the biggest single barrier to EV adoption among private car buyers, a new survey has found.
- 525 comments
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Audi takes 'painful' decision to close Brussels EV factory as electric car demand slows
17/12/24 12:58
Audi has announced it will close its factory in Brussels by the end of February, as European EV demand continues to fall.
Is a pavement parking ban in Britain inbound? Just one in five oppose it...
17/12/24 12:10
The Government has hinted at plans to bring in a national pavement parking ban in it's devolution White Paper published yesterday.
- 1206 comments
- 91 shares
The heat pump you've never heard of: How one device can maximise EV range and make charging easier
17/12/24 06:00
Electric car heat pumps are the lesser known heat pumps of the energy saving world. What are they? How will they make an EV more efficient and maximise range? Here's our guide.
Now AI cameras being used to catch drink drivers in Britain: World-first trial is underway in these two counties - here's how they work...
16/12/24 03:39
Drivers under the influence could be caught by the same AI camera tech already used to catch motorists who fail to buckle up or put their phone down.
- 246 comments
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The SUV turns 50: One in three cars on British roads are now bulky SUVs - how did they become so popular?
16/12/24 11:10
How did SUVs go from farms to the luxury IT car of today? And is the backlash beginning as sales continue to soar? We take a look at SUV history.
Return of the Mk1 Ford Escort: 150 'new' examples are being built - but the price tag is astronomical
13/12/24 02:08
A new Ford Escort MK1 has been unveiled. 150 'Continumod' cars will be made by Boreham Motorworks that reimagine the Escort and are brand-licensed by Ford.
Marketing genius or PR disaster? After Jaguar's 'Copy Nothing' controversy we look at the BEST and WORST car rebrands of recent times
12/12/24 06:00
Jaguar is not alone in car manufacturers undergoing a rebrand in recent years - and in many cases reactions have been about as divisive as they come... Here are the hits and the flops...
Number of drivers caught using mobile phones behind the wheel up a THIRD as AI camera rollout ramps up
11/12/24 12:01
The number of drivers being fined for using a handheld mobile phone has risen for the third year in a row.
- 130 comments
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Major British cities want you to pay more to park a big car or SUV- are Paris-style charges on the way?
07/12/24 06:58
A number of councils including Cardiff and Bristol are looking into new systems for parking charges that would charge large cars such as SUVs more.
- 236 comments
- 21 shares
Huge number of motorists driving illegally due to poor eyesight - when was the last time you had an eye test?
06/12/24 07:01
We can reveal a staggering one million people are estimated to be driving illegally because their eyesight is below the UK legal minimum requirement.
- 94 comments
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Only 3% of electric vehicle owners would go back to a fossil fuel car
06/12/24 07:00
Zap-Map surveyed 3,746 EV owners for its annual survey to gauge insights into behaviours, attitudes and satisfaction of EV drivers. We reveal the results.
- 633 comments
- 24 shares
Electric vehicles made up a QUARTER of new car sales in November but still fall short of Government targets despite £4bn worth of discounting
05/12/24 11:45
EV sales rose for the eleventh consecutive month in November and accounted for 25.1% of all sales. However, industry bosses say the market is being propped up by 'unsustainable' price cuts.
- 216 comments
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We pick the five most extraordinary cars in Bernie Ecclestone's £300m collection listed for sale
05/12/24 06:00
F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone's car collection - 'the most important race car collection in the world' - is up for sale. But which cars are the crown jewels? Here are our picks.
- 44 comments
- 24 shares
Tesla announces 2024 holiday update including new features
04/12/24 03:48
Tesla has announced a host of over-the-air software updates to inject a bit of festive fun into the run up to Christmas - including a new Apple Watch app.
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Tesla reveals free 2024 holiday update to get drivers in the mood for Christmas - is it worth downloading?
04/12/24 03:12
Tesla has announced a host of over-the-air software updates to inject a bit of festive fun into the run up to Christmas - including a new Apple Watch app.
- 14 comments
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Will private e-scooter ownership soon be made legal? Here are the arguments for and against...
04/12/24 06:00
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has said the government will 'absolutely' press ahead with legislating zero-emission electric scooters.
- 379 comments
- 22 shares

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