Cars
The motor car, or automobile, followed soon after the invention of the internal combustion engine. The Ford Model T was the first car to be mass produced in 1908, and a century later the number of motor vehicles in the world exceeded one billion. Formula E should ensure that electric car technology continues to make progress and several multinational companies are currently competing to produce the first driverless cars. Another good reason to look out when you are crossing the road!

How bacteria and self-healing roads could soon fix the UK’s 750,000 potholes

Climate change is playing havoc with the UK’s road network. Now is the time to invest in innovative solutions.
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everything you need to elevate your driving experience in 2023

We've rounded up some of the best gadgets that will make your driving experience a breeze, whether you're relaxing in the back seat or behind the wheel.
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20mph speed limits do save lives, and most road users respond to them well, study suggests

While debates continue over the introduction of 20mph speed limits on UK city roads, research suggests lower traffic speeds improve safety and make our neighbourhoods nicer places to live in.
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Formula 1: 5 exciting new technologies for the 2022 racing season

It's not just the racing teams that will benefit from the newest technologies in motorsport – they can end up anywhere from regular cars to supermarket fridges.
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Are electric cars definitely greener than petrol?

The UK is set to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
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Future cars: 9 designs that could revolutionise the vehicle industry

The vehicle industry rapidly improves every year, bringing about incredible new and exciting technology for cars.
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Dangerous and dirty: 7 myths about hydrogen power debunked

Hydrogen power is a large part of net-zero energy plans – but is it really cleaner than fossil fuels? And will it ever be economically viable?
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Fast and Furious 9: The insane real-life science behind that magnet scene

With the help of magnet expert Prof Dominic Ryan, here's a crash course into the physics behind the Vin Diesel blockbuster.
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Electric vehicles: What can we do with the growing number of dead batteries?

What will happen to the batteries when the first generation of electric vehicles reach the end of their lifespans in around a decade? Are they bound for the scrapheap, or can they be salvaged?
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New fast-charging battery promises a full ‘tank’ in five minutes

Re-engineered lithium-ion battery lets you fill up electric cars almost as fast as those that run on fossil fuels.
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Are plug-in hybrid cars really the eco-friendly choice?

A study has found that plug-in hybrids actually emit more than 2.5 times as much carbon dioxide as tests claimed. So, are they worth having?
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This new app from Skoda can hear exactly what's wrong with your car

Skoda says the app's artificial intelligence can listen to and interpret common problems such as issues with the air conditioning compressor, steering, and clutches in the automatic gearbox.
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Phase out sales of new cars and vans by the end of the decade, say big businesses

Tesco, E.ON and Heathrow are among 27 large companies asking government ministers to target a 2030 date for all new cars and vans being zero emissions.
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Does it lives up to the hype?

The Honda-e is the most anticipated car of the year, and it’s all-electric.
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Driverless cars could warn each other of dangers using new network

Researchers said a vehicle-generated early warning system that alerts drivers is feasible within the next few years using 5G.
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2020 vision: what we thought the future would look like in 2010

Dive into an average day in 2020, as predicted in 2010.
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Why do so many Americans drive automatic cars?

Asked by: Joseph Wood, Oxford
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Why do people become aggressive when driving?

Asked by: Paul Mellor, via email
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