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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Pothole probe exposes tactics used by different councils to say they are too small to fix

22/05/24 11:01

What makes a pothole worth fixing? Councils have wildly different criteria for when they need to be repaired - and most keep it secret from members of the public, new research finds. The RAC and Channel 4's Dispatches programme has exposed how authorities in different parts of the country have their own stipulations for pothole sizes and how they go about repairs....read

EVs face road tax charges from next year - here's what's changing and how much you'll have to pay
22/05/24 10:34
Until now electric vehicles and low emission cars have been exempt from paying road tax (or VED). But from 1 April 2025 that'll change. Here's a guide to tax changes.
- 384 comments
- 53 shares
Your guide to Scotland's new Low Emission Zones - how to make sure you don't get stung
21/05/24 09:52
Four Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are coming into force in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen in the next few weeks. Here's our guide to avoid being fined.
Four inventions that changed motoring - and the battles behind some life changing laws
20/05/24 10:44
The automobile has transformed history, and so too have motoring innovations and laws. Here are four motoring inventions that changed driving for the better.
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Ineos Quartermaster review: There's a new premium pick-up truck in town - but you'll need deep pockets
18/05/24 11:01
Ineos' new 4x4 pick-up is here - but will lifestyle buyers be persuaded to part with so much cash for world-class off-roading'? We review the new Grenadier Quartermaster.
Government considers rules to prevent cash-strapped councils using new powers to overzealously fine drivers
17/05/24 09:55
Some 52 councils have successfully gained these powers, though MPs are concerned they could be using £70 fines for a 'profit motive' to bolster their threadbare budgets.
Do you live in a car theft hotspot? We reveal the UK's most active regions for motor crime
17/05/24 07:09
A new study has revealed the regions of the UK where car theft is rife. HPI compiled a list of the most stolen cars per county, but where did your region rank?
- 280 comments
- 26 shares
New drivers face six-month graduate licences as new bill is introduced into Parliament
13/05/24 11:33
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has introduced a new bill into Parliament to introduced Graduated Driving Licences.
- 365 comments
- 29 shares
The government is asking motoring enthusiasts for help shaping future classic car policy and future-proofing the industry
11/05/24 05:00
The Government has launched a call for evidence to gather views on how classic and historic cars can be preserved for future generations. It'll run until 4 July 2024.
- 76 comments
- 24 shares
Car makers slash EV sales forecast for 2024 as public demand plummets
07/05/24 11:24
Shrinking appetite for EVs means the UK automotive sector has been forced to revise its sales forecasts for 2024, downgrading electric car market share to fewer than one in five (19.8%).
- 499 comments
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Renault reveals new Symbioz mid-sized SUV - and it'll cost less than £30k
07/05/24 06:00
Renault is coming for the Nissan Qashqai with its latest unveil: The new Symbioz. The hybrid five-seater family car becomes the eighth SUV from the French brand.
- 50 comments
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Consumption of diesel is down almost a billion litres in a year as petrol demand shoots up
06/05/24 02:00
The AA attributes the drop to high costs coinciding with effective anti-diesel campaigns in towns and cities, leading to drivers switching from diesel to petrol, hybrid and electric cars.
- 210 comments
- 10 shares
EV charging rates remain flat while petrol soars - and live charging prices get added to forecourt boards
04/05/24 06:00
Electric vehicle charging prices remained stable in the last month, while petrol prices soared. And some forecourts have started adding live charging rates to pricing boards.
- 1088 comments
- 24 shares
No Time To Buy: We reveal which film characters could ACTUALLY afford their car - and Bond's got saving to do
03/05/24 02:00
AA Car Finance has revealed Bond would need to save for 244 years to afford his Aston Martin DB5. So which famous cinematic characters can and can't afford their iconic cars?
Councils aren't supporting the switch to EVs, voters say as elections arrive
02/05/24 10:17
As England and Wales =go to the polls, it's been revealed that UK motorists don't feel their local council is doing enough to help the switch to electric vehicles.
- 230 comments
- 13 shares
The Jaguar XJS is reborn as a £225k supercar - but TWR will make just 88
30/04/24 10:04
Reborn racing legend TWR has unveiled its debut 21st century road car today, and will catch the eye of enthusiasts with deep pockets and a taste for classic Jags.
- 156 comments
- 25 shares
Major carmaker to offer £10,000 worth of parking this May bank holiday - find out how you can apply
29/04/24 11:01
Car brand Dacia, and JustPark have combined to offer UK drivers £10,000 worth of parking across the early May bank holiday. Drivers can get £20 off their parking costs.
- 6 comments
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Used cars now selling almost twice as quickly as 2023
26/04/24 04:55
Used cars are now selling almost twice as quickly as in 2023, in the strongest sign yet that the market's bounced back from last year's crash. Good condition models across the board are selling fast.
- 14 comments
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Tesla cuts membership prices across its Supercharger network
25/04/24 03:43
Tesla has opened up its Supercharger Membership to all EV drivers. Membership rates have been slashed from £10.99/month to £8.99/month for all current and new members too.
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Tesla cuts membership prices across its Supercharger network and opens membership up to all EV drivers
25/04/24 03:18
Tesla has opened up its Supercharger Membership to all EV drivers. Membership rates have been slashed from £10.99/month to £8.99/month for all current and new members too.
- 63 comments
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Mini's electric ace up its sleeve: New Aceman EV has a 250-mile range - but its price tag isn't mini
24/04/24 04:23
Mini latest electric offering - the Aceman - has been unveiled at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. It will start from just over £31,000 and be delivered this autumn.
New Tesla Model 3 Performance has arrived: Here's when you can get your hands on the fastest version of Britain's best-selling electric saloon
24/04/24 02:46
The new Tesla Model Performance model will accelerate from 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds. It'll cost £59,990 and is available to order now. Deliveries are expected in the summer.
Mercedes G-Wagen - famed for its military background and popularity with celebrities - has officially gone electric
24/04/24 01:34
Mercedes has unveiled its new electric G-Class - the 'G580 with EQ Technology'. Mercedes says the electric luxury 4x4 is set to be its best off-roader yet, and comes with 293 miles of range.
Petrol surpasses 150p a litre - cost of filling up is now at a five-month high
23/04/24 12:12
Petrol has hit 150p a litre for the first time since November, the AA reports. Diesel has also reached 158.3p a litre, with drivers facing five-month highs to fill up a tank with fuel.
- 250 comments
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Pothole-related breakdowns up 10 per cent in a year as Britain's road condition crisis continues
22/04/24 11:01
The UK's pothole epidemic is intensifying with the RAC attending 10% more breakdowns resulting from motorists driving through potholes than a year ago.
Third of UK motorists say buying a new CAR is a bigger priority than a home - as property ladder feels out of reach
22/04/24 07:17
Over a third of UK drivers told Auto Trader that buying a brand-new car is now a bigger milestone than purchasing a property, mainly because it's more attainable.
- 191 comments
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Britain sees surge in EVs - but how many cars on the road are electric? New study reveals all
20/04/24 01:52
New data from Motorparc, published by the SMMT showed more than 41 million vehicles on Britain's roads last year - here's how they are powered.
- 208 comments
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Britain is better suited to a switch to EVs than any European neighbours
19/04/24 10:43
Two-thirds of UK cars and vans currently used by private owners and public sector organisations are said to be ready to go electric.
- 245 comments
- 11 shares
Almost a quarter of forecourts are already charging more than 150p a litre for petrol
18/04/24 11:01
Only 11 supermarkets were charging below 140p a litre for petrol earlier this week, according to the AA's study of pump price data from forecourts across the UK.
- 108 comments
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Ford's new electric car and adventurer Lexie Limitless set a world record by circumnavigating the globe
18/04/24 05:00
Ford Explorer EV, driven by adventurer Lexie Limitless, becomes the first EV to circumnavigate the globe, following in the steps of Aloha Wanderwell. All-new Explorer goes on sale.
Nissan Qashqai upgraded for 2024: What's changed on the UK's favourite family car?
17/04/24 08:02
Nissan's decided the Qashqai - its extremely popular SUV - needs a bit of refresh. And so today it's unveiled the facelifted 2024 version. We reveal what buyers get.
Paul McCartney's psychedelic Wings 1972 double-decker tour bus goes up for auction - here's how much it could sell for
16/04/24 11:01
The famed psychedelic Wings tour bus that housed rock legend Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, his family and the band is heading for auction 22nd April.
What are the 10 best and cheapest used cars for young drivers to buy?
16/04/24 08:46
The Citroen C1 has been crowned the best second hand car for Gen Z drivers (those aged 17-27), according to a new study. Cars were ranked on cost, insurance, safety and mpg.
- 64 comments
- 49 shares
Graduate driving licences and sorting the pothole crisis once and for all: AA reveals its latest motoring manifesto
15/04/24 08:53
The AA's launched its motoring manifesto and is calling on the Government to act on its findings. Road safety, graduate licences, and better EV information were top concerns.
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Britain's current fastest selling used car is French and hybrids dominate the top 10
15/04/24 02:00
Auto Trader's unveiled which used cars are flying off forecourts and which are sat gathering dust. Hybrid models dominated the top 10 while used EVs also performed very well.
- 213 comments
- 30 shares
Alfa Romeo Milano EV unveiled: Italian brand's debut electric car is here and will cost around £34k
13/04/24 05:00
Alfa Romeo has revealed the new Milano - a sporty, compact electric car set to attract a new generation of Alfisti fans. It's Alfa's first EV and will arrive this summer, alongside a hybrid.
Mercedes upgrades its electric EQS to give the EV a huge 511-mile range
12/04/24 01:17
Mercedes has upgraded its flagship EV - the EQS and now it has even more range than before. The 450+ version will manage 511 miles on a single charge - market leading.
- 175 comments
- 22 shares
Secret plans to relaunch Morris Minor two decades ago revealed: How iconic British car almost made a comeback in 2005
12/04/24 02:00
The Morris Minor - a true classic of British car manufacturing - very nearly made a comeback in the early 2000's. Autocar's inside source reveals the story behind this missed opportunity.
Four Aston Martin DB5s go on sale at the same time giving Bond fans with deep pockets a once in a lifetime opportunity
11/04/24 10:02
Four iconic James Bond Aston Martin DB5s have gone on sale at the same time. Buyers with deep, deep pockets will be able to get their hands 'the world's most famous car.
Video tour of Gatwick's futuristic electric vehicle charging station - what is Gridserve's Electric Forecourt really like?
11/04/24 02:00
We're in a new era of sustainable, renewable energy powered electric charging hubs. Come with us on a tour of Gatwick's futuristic charging experience at Gridserve's Electric Forecourt.
New car tech gimmicks we don't really need: Seven features added to cars in recent years drivers never asked for...
10/04/24 02:00
New car tech is rolling out at double speed, but that doesn't mean every invention is good. Here are our top seven new car tech gimmicks drivers simply don't need.
Why patchy phone signal could stop you being able to charge an electric car at two thirds of public devices
08/04/24 02:10
To initiate charging at many public devices, EV owners require access to a smartphone app. Poor phone signal at two thirds of these chargers locations means drivers might not be able to activate them.
- 167 comments
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Poor mobile phone signal at two in three public EV charging points means drivers struggle to activate them
07/04/24 11:01
Patchy phone signal could mean thousands of EV drivers can't top up their EVs at slow Type-2 public chargers, new data from the RAC Foundation has show.
- 103 comments
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Number of UK driving licence holders hits record high and surpasses major milestone for the very first time
05/04/24 09:52
The number of people holding full UK driving licenses has hit a record milestone and older drivers numbers are booming. But, the number of young drivers has taken a hit.
- 117 comments
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Driving theory test cheating TRIPLES in three years as pass rate remains 'stubbornly' low
04/04/24 01:21
Theory test cheaters are on the rise a shocking new report finds. Cases of people trying to illegally pass their driving theory tests have tripled amid low pass rates and long waits for a practical test booking.
- 136 comments
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The best EVs arriving in 2024: Ten electric cars we think will be standouts this year
02/04/24 05:00
There's an influx of new electric cars coming this year - from super cheap superminis to luxury estates. But which is best? We've rounded up our top ten EVs to keep your eye out for.
Urban Automotive and rise of bespoke modification - is it the ultimate way to drive the luxury car of your dreams?
30/03/24 07:32
In the UK, there's one custom firm the rich and famous are flocking to for head-turning wheels: Urban Automotive. We were shown around Urban headquarters by founder and CEO Simon Dearn.
- 112 comments
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Young Londoners face annual car insurance costs more than double that of those living in Northern Ireland
26/03/24 01:20
New data from Quotezone has revealed the UK regions with the highest car insurance premiums for young drivers - with London taking top spot.
- 34 comments
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Driver dash cam submissions sent to police rises 77% in just two years
25/03/24 04:56
Bad drivers beware - Big Brother Britain is turning to dash cams to report motorists on the road, with a 77 per cent increase in dash cam submissions from the public to the police in just two years.
Volkswagen Passat review: In a world of SUVs, can the £39k car re-energise the family estate market?
25/03/24 12:17
After almost fifty years of family estate fun and over 34 million sold, is this car still a relevant buy or is has the world moved on? We test drove the eight generation Passat on launch in Nice to find out.
Learner drivers face typical six week wait to take their test - how long is the delay at your local centre?
23/03/24 07:00
There's bad news if you're a learner driver eager to take their practical tests - you are going to be stuck waiting a long time for a slot, new research shows.
- 25 comments
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I'm a petrolhead but bought a bargain nearly-new EV - here's why I love it
22/03/24 06:00
For car enthusiast Michael Davidson snagging a high-spec electric car with hardly any miles on the clock- a Mazda MX30 EV - with only 900 miles on the clock for £19k was too good to miss.
Full baskets and full batteries: One-in-10 UK supermarkets now offer EV charging so you can top up while you shop
22/03/24 12:01
Last year the total number of supermarkets offering EV charge points rose 59% - with motorists now able to charge at more one-in-10 stores, analysis from Zapmap and the RAC shows.
- 231 comments
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Some of Britain's most valuable number plates are on a secret fleet of Fiat 500s in Wolverhampton...
21/03/24 01:55
Some of the most expensive superplates in the world are located in Wolverhampton. Superplates contain one number and one letter and can be worth millions.
Young drivers now face £8k of costs just to get on the road in year one
20/03/24 12:02
To get a 17 to 20-year-old on the road and driving for the first year, it's going to cost a staggering average of £7,609, according to MoneySupermarket..
- 58 comments
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Jaguar I-Pace drivers can no longer charge with cheap Octopus Energy tariff due to software change
19/03/24 07:00
Jaguar Land Rover and Octopus Energy are under fire from I-Pace owners after removing JLR electric vehicles (EVs) from the charging app with only a few hours notice.
- 400 comments
- 98 shares
Grant for EV home chargers opens up to motorists WITHOUT driveways
18/03/24 01:05
The Government has announced the EV chargepoint grant will expand to owners without a driveway. £185m is awarded to councils to fund public chargepoint rollout.
Skoda's electric Epiq will have a 248-mile range and a budget price tag
15/03/24 04:02
The Epiq crossover is due to be fully unveiled in 2025, but we already know some of its vital statistics, including its proposed price.
Yellow box junctions UNFAIRLY trigger fines - because they're bigger than they need to be
15/03/24 12:01
A new study from the RAC shows almost every one of the 100 most lucrative yellow box junctions are bigger than they need to be, leading to unjust fines handed out to motorists.
- 350 comments
- 38 shares
Britain's electric car driveway divide: 30% of owners can't access cheaper home charging
14/03/24 12:01
Seven in ten EV owners mostly charge their cars at home. In contrast, just 14 per cent use the public charging network as their main supply of electricity for their vehicles, which is twice as expensive.
- 294 comments
- 4 shares
Cazoo to take on Auto Trader as a used car marketplace as it stops car sales and sells off stock
11/03/24 11:13
Beleaguered e-commerce car brand Cazoo told its investors on Wednesday it will 'adopt a marketplace model' to take on Auto Trader, cease used car sales and sell off stock.
- 36 comments
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Volkswagen Tiguan review: The best-selling SUV is back - is it better than ever?
11/03/24 09:30
Can the best-selling VW Tiguan third generation model be even more universally liked that its predecessor? We test drove the much-loved family SUV to find out.
F1 legend Jody Scheckter's sensational car collection up for auction
08/03/24 03:42
Formula One legend Jody Scheckter's renowned car collection is up for auction - and sensationally it includes his World Championship-winning Ferrari.
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F1 World Champion Jody Scheckter's sensational car collection worth £11MILLION heads to Monaco sale
08/03/24 02:30
Formula One legend Jody Scheckter's renowned car collection is up for auction - and sensationally it includes his World Championship-winning Ferrari.
- 26 comments
- 6 shares
Dodge Charger goes ELECTRIC as it switches from gas-guzzling V8 American muscle car to muted EV
08/03/24 12:44
Dodge has unveiled its blue-blooded electric American muscle car - the Dodge Charger Daytona. It'll pacify performance petrolheads with 0 to 60mph in 3.3 seconds and a huge 670 horsepower.
The 'pink pricing prejudice': Female motorists stung with a 5% premium at car garages, undercover investigation finds
08/03/24 12:01
Women are being stung with pricing 'pink prejudice' at the garage, new research from Caura has found. Women are charged five per cent more than men for a vehicle service.
- 35 comments
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No help to boost stagnant EV sales in the Budget as Chancellor ignores calls for incentives
06/03/24 02:15
Jeremy Hunt's rejected industry calls for more incentives to private EV buyers in the form 'fair taxes' making it hard for car makers to hit the Government's ZEV Mandate targets.
- 248 comments
- 9 shares
Car sales hit 20-year February record with 85,000 registrations - but EV demand continues to plateau
05/03/24 01:00
The UK's new car market has posted its record best February for two decades. New car registrations rose 14% to 84,886 units, the latest figures from the SMMT show.
- 185 comments
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DON'T do these before selling your car: Nine mistakes to avoid losing money trading in your wheels
05/03/24 03:00
With new '24' plates now on sale since the 1st March, here are the top nine things Motorpoint's experts want you to look for to save money, and time before selling your car.
- 116 comments
- 52 shares
Barbie private number plate goes on sale for HUGE asking price
04/03/24 02:11
One Barbie fan is set to cash in by selling their 'BAR 8IE' private number plate for a huge sum of money.
- 26 comments
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Half of learners want lessons in EVs - and it's going to kill-off the manual gearbox
29/02/24 12:02
Some 48% of learners would be more likely to take driving lessons in an electric car, yet only one in seven can find a local instructor with an EV, new research finds.
- 381 comments
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Is this REALLY the best car you can buy in 2024? Electric Renault Scenic voted European Car of the Year
28/02/24 03:39
The French family EV SUV beat seven shortlisted rivals to the crown, including the BMW 5 Series and Peugeot 3008, which scooped second and third places respectively.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Fusilier 4x4 EV unveiled - will it beat Land Rover's Defender in the electric game?
27/02/24 02:48
The reveal of the new electric Fusilier model is a big moment for the hearty off-roader marque, not least because it beats rival Land Rover to the e-4X4 game.
The good garage guide: What you must know before booking car servicing and repairs
27/02/24 03:00
Having a basic understanding of the law and knowing the key dos and don'ts will help you next time you take your car to the garage. So, here's everything you need to know:
- 105 comments
- 21 shares
EV buyers should book in a charging installation now to beat the new registration plate crunch
26/02/24 06:00
With new reg plate day comes an influx of drivers needing EV home chargers installed. Charging company Cord is advising EV owners to book now to beat the rush.
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Banned number plates revealed: Full list of new '24' registrations the DVLA has ruled are too rude or offensive
22/02/24 11:53
March 1 marks the arrival of the new '24' age identifier for vehicle registrations plates - and with it a fresh list of combinations the DVLA deems too derogatory to go on sale.
- 464 comments
- 109 shares
Britain's most popular new electric cars revealed: The EV models drivers bought in biggest numbers last year
22/02/24 03:00
Official industry figures from the SMMT reveal a Tesla takes the top spot… but it might not be the model you might think...
Volkswagen's ID.7 Tourer EV estate is revealed - here's what to expect
19/02/24 05:55
The new Volkswagen ID.7 estate offers long range, loads of space and ultra-rapid charging, as VW looks to be one put down a marker in the premium all-electric estate car ring.
- 192 comments
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Charge with a view: Five of the UK's most picturesque EV charging spots
19/02/24 11:12
Whether by fortune or through planning, you may find yourself at an EV charger that's surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty. Here are our top five most scenic charging spots in the UK.
- 134 comments
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King Charles' Jaguar I-Pace up for auction - the first EV in the Royal Family
16/02/24 12:58
In a blaze of British, a Jaguar I-Pace personally purchased by King Charles III will go up for auction at Ascot Racecourse next month.

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