EU ban on petrol and diesel cars from city centres by 2050

Say goodbye to the Black Cab & London bus under EU plans In yet another case of ‘Why do we elect idiots to govern us?’, the EU is calling for a complete ban on all petrol and diesel powered cars from city centres by 2050. Why not by next year? The ‘Brussels Ban’ lays out a timescale for other ‘worthy’ objectives along the way.

Google reveals its first self-driving car prototype (video)

Google’s first self-driving car prototype (pictured) Google might not be the first company that springs to mind as a car maker, but Tesla has already proved that Silicon Valley can produce a car that buyers want and Google are intent on following a similar route. But where Tesla’s USP is its long-range electric capabilities – and a desire to build cars for the market – Google’s goal is more technology orientated and is all about developing self-driving car technology that works in the real world. For the last few years, Google has been experimenting with existing cars kitted out with self-driving gubbins, but now they’ve taken the next step and built their own self-driving prototype.

35,000 Toyotas recalled over safety concerns

A total of 35,124 Toyotas in the UK are being recalled following safety concerns over the airbag modules, seat rails and steering columns. Toyota Airbag could fail to go off Some 24,785 UK-registered Toyota RAV4 and Hilux models are being recalled following a possible issue with the spiral cable assembly in the airbag module. Due to the position of a retainer in the system, Toyota admits “there may be a risk when the steering wheel is turned of damage to certain circuits that provide connectivity to the airbag.” This would prevent the airbag from working in a crash, and would illuminate a warning light on the dashboard.