Government gives electric cars a £37m boost

ELECTRIC cars might become a bit more appealing if a multi-million pound Government scheme to make them easier to charge proves a success.

It's fair to say that electric cars haven't exactly set the British sales charts alight but the Department for Transport said it will invest £37 million scheme to invest in a network of charging points for plug-in electric vehicles, which should make owning one an easier prospect for eco-conscious drivers.

Patrick McLoughlin, the Transport Secretary, said: "This investment underlines the Government’s commitment to making sure that the UK is a world leader in the electric car industry.

"Plug-in vehicles can help the consumer by offering a good driving experience and low running costs. They can help the environment by cutting pollution. And most importantly of all, they can help the British economy by creating skilled manufacturing jobs in a market that is bound to get bigger."

The investment will include grants for private residents who wish to install their own charging points, funding for local authorities to set up charging points, and additional money available for government agencies and railway stations to set up charging areas.

An £11m slice of that funding is available for local authorities to invest in their own electric car charging points, and while Lancashire County Council is yet to respond to Life On Cars' enquiries Sefton Council has said it is looking into the scheme.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: "As this has only just been announced we will obviously have to look at the finer details of the scheme and the money available.

"We already have a fleet of four electric trucks which are used to supplement cleansing activities right across the borough. These are charged at three locations in Sefton and a further three vehicles are currently on order."

Among the supporters of the investment is Nissan, who won the European Car of the Year award in 2011 with their LEAF electric car.

John Martin, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Manufacturing in Europe, said: ”We are at a crossroads in personal mobility. Nissan is proudly pioneering zero emission technology through our UK operations and we are delighted that the UK Government is showing it shares our commitment to the transport of the future.

“Electric vehicles become a way of life if the charging infrastructure is in place and Governments are committed to helping drivers to make the switch. We know this from the experiences of Nissan LEAF drivers in countries like Norway where a network of charge points is already in place.”

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Ever wanted to go rallying in a classic car?

THAT'S what one of the big names of historic motorsport - the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation, better known to most enthusiasts as HERO - are offering visitors to this weekend's Race Retro.

The event, which takes place at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry, gives petrolheads the chance to get up close to all sorts of mouthwatering motorsport machines but HERO are actually offering you the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a host of rallying star cars from the Sixties - a Mini Cooper S, an Alfa Romeo GTV, a Ford Cortina, a BMW 1602 and a Triumph TR6.

In a statement about the experience, called Arrive & Drive, HERO says on its website: "You can experience the thrill of driving classic rally cars - cars that have done the Scottish Malts, Summer Trial and LE JOG, yourself as you navigate through our specially designed test. This is not an event but a demonstration drive allowing you the opportunity to experience an actual classic car rally test.

"You get two attempts at the test, each attempt in a different car. Every challenger will receive a certificate confirming that they have completed the test."

The event, for which you must bring a valid driving licence plus a copy that HERO can keep for their records, costs £30 to take part in.

If you're already planning to go to Race Retro this weekend, the chance to actually get behind the wheel of a classic rally car has got to have a certain appeal...

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Top Modern Office Chairs by Eurotech Seating

When it comes to modern style, Eurotech Seating products by the Raynor Group are amongst the industries best. This modern office chair manufacturer prides themselves on being at the forefront of ergonomic efficiency in the workplace. Eurotech chairs offer excellent value, style, and long lasting quality that's sure to keep you comfortable for years. This article highlights several of this industry leading brands top office chairs and the benefits of each. Enjoy!

Chair: Maze
Model: MT3000
Price: 111.99

The Eurotech Seating MT3000 Maze chair features a stylish mesh back and contemporary loop arms. This modern mesh back task chair is an excellent fit for home and business seating applications including the conference room!

Chair: Europa
Model: VE111
Price: 193.99

The VE111 Europa series office chair by Eurotech Seating offers the perfect combination of style and value. This modern black vinyl executive style chair is perfect for nearly any office application including the boardroom! The VE111 chair can be found on sale with an everyday low price guarantee as well as free shipping at OfficeFurnitureDeals.com.

Chair: Ergohuman
Model: ME7ERG
Price: 637.00

Designed and made with the total comfort of humankind in mind. Esthetics, form and function allow this series to utilize a synchro tilt mechanism with infinite lock, sliding seat, pneumatic height adjustment, and headrest option all in one very unique chair. The Ergohuman chair is truly a work of art. This modern mesh executive chair has revolutionized the seating industry. This particular model is currently under a MAP pricing policy. As a shopping tip, it's always smart to call with MAP priced Office Chairs for additional savings!

Chair: WAU!
Model: WAU-MID
Price: 364.99

The Wau chair by Eurotech Seating is definitely an industry favorite. This modern ergonomic office chair offers high end seating attributes simply unattainable by chairs at the same price point. Rest assured, this chair is an absolute winner! The everyday low price and host of high end ergonomic features are nearly impossible to beat by chairs even 3 times the price.

Chair: Apollo
Model: MFHB9SL
Price: 222.99

This versatile chair is the perfect combination of comfort meeting value! Breathable mesh synchro-tilt backrest and a molded foam waterfall seat are combined with adjustability for out-of-this-world comfort and state-of-the-art control. The Apollo office chair is a huge success in any workspace and offers excellent value for any office seating application.

Chair: Verona
Model: LE4200
Price: 154.99

  
One of the hottest values on the market! The tufted leather Verona executive chair is an exceptional buy featuring roll armrests with padded leather arm caps, tilt tension control, center tilt and tilt lock. This leather office chair wit is the perfect combination of traditional style and modern ergonomics.

Chair: Indy
Model: ME8260BLK
Price: 178.99

The Indy Computer Chair is perfect for any home or business office seating application. The sleek design with a polished aluminum base, black treads and tone-on-tone mesh fabric detail combined with swivel tilt, tension control, tilt lock and adjustable arms makes Indy a real winner.

No matter the ergonomic needs of your home or business, Eurotech Seating has a chair for you. In addition to these top selling ergonomic office chairs are a host of additional models with fantastic style. The Raynor Group has also released an entire line of professional office furniture solutions for executive areas and wood conference room furniture needs. Needless to say, this fantastic company will be setting trends for years to come!

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What is the best petrolhead album ever recorded?

IN REALITY it was a cold, drizzly night somewhere in Southport but in my head it was a sunny afternoon in southern California.

That's what music does for your motoring - ever since someone Hillman fitted a radio, quaintly titled the Melody Minx, to one of their cars back in the Thirties stereos have been lifting the moods of drivers ever since. So what, pop pickers, is the single best bit of petrolhead music ever recorded?

Music, of course, is even more divisive than cars themselves are, so from the starting grid this is going to be an entirely subjective thing - I, for example, struggle to understand the appeal of N-Dubz, but I appreciate a lot of other people do. It's also true that, in the same way white wine goes with fish, some music and some cars just belong together, for all sorts of boring cultural reasons that belong in supplements in The Sunday Telegraph. What I'm after is music of the particularly petrolhead variety - tunes which just go with chewing up a winding bit of road in a great car.

In a post last week I pointed out I'm a Fleetwood Mac fan, and I think there's an argument to say a certain Anglo-American rock band's biggest seller is the best bit of petrolhead pop ever recorded. For starters it's got The Chain on it - the de facto Formula One theme music since the dawn of time - but it's also packed with catchy melodies and lyrics which ostensibly cover the traumas of dumping someone but in fact seem like mantras for thrill-seeking motorists. Don't stop, you can go your own way!

 

Even Rumours, I reckon, isn't the most petrolhead album ever recorded, because that honour goes to some chaps in Texas with big beards. You don't even have to listen to ZZ Top's Eliminator to know it was created by chaps who've got Castrol R coursing through their veins, because its cover star is ‘34 Ford given the full hot rod treatment. Then you stick into your CD player and you're treated to what must be one of the most full-throttle rock riffs of all time; the opening notes of Gimme All Your Lovin'. Then you're treating to another tyre-smoking tune, and then another, and then another. Subtle it ain't but I can't think of any album which goes better with the rewards you get from doing a challenging bit of driving and doing it just right.

Disagreements from N-Dubz fans to the usual address, please.

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The tantalising tech of the McLaren P1

LIFE ON CARS doesn't really do press releases normally but one with the McLaren Automotive logo on it can't help but brighten up your Wednesday morning.

Yes, it's some technical details of the company's new P1 supercar - spiritual successor to the legendary F1, don'tcha know - for you to gawp at. Thanks to its starring turn at the Paris Motor Show last October we all know what it looks like but it's only now Euromillions winners, city bankers and Chris Evans have got a chance to find out what sort of hardware it's got to back up that striking shape.

Hardware that includes a "substantially revised" version of the MP4-12C's twin-turbo, 3.8 litre V8, meaning it now kicks out no less than 727bhp, which is almost exactly 100bhp more than the McLaren F1 had at its disposal. Not that it stops there, however, because like the rival Porsche 918 Spyder it also uses batteries to make it even more of a belter, with the electric equivalent of 176bhp on offer through a Formula One-style boost system for when a P1's pilot really wants to press on. All of which means you have a combined total of 903bhp. Count 'em.

Admittedly, that's not as much as the world's fastest production car, the Bugatti Veyron Supersport, but then the McLaren's much lighter and is aiming to be the ultimate driving experience rather than simply the one which can notch up the biggest numbers. Oh, and as you can see from the pic of the prototype above its exhaust spits blue flames at you when you open the throttle, which is very cool.

All I can do is keep my fingers crossed for my numbers coming up this Friday night!

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3 Top Modern Office Furniture Lines for the Home and Business

Every year a host of new modern office furniture and seating is made available for consumers and business owners alike. Several of these versatile furniture collections make an excellent solution for both home and professional applications. This article highlights the top modern furniture collections that fit this specific criteria, and won't break your budget!

Verde

Perhaps no furniture line has been more popular over the past year than the Verde casegoods furniture collection by Cherryman Industries. This reputable manufacturer offers a wide selection of furnishings for every room of the office. From tables to desk configurations, Cherryman Industries does it all! However, for modern furniture lovers, the Verde line stands alone. Verde products like the VL-743 modern table desk configuration boast a glamorous look that doesn't like in terms of efficiency. With ample storage and work surface this setup provides excellent value and unbeatable good looks.

Zira 

This popular modular office furniture line has received no shortage of accolades since it's release in 2012. The Zira desking collection boasts a seemingly limitless collection of customizable components sure to work in any size space. Pre-configured desking typicals are available in a choice of 14 laminate finishes as well as 9 pull options. In addition to Zira Typical configuration solutions, a host of matching office storage products are available perfect for the home or business.

Napoli

When it comes to modern office furnishings, no brand offers a wider range of professional solutions than Mayline. This leading furniture manufacturer offers 10 top casegoods furniture lines that all work perfectly in both home and business environments. Discount Mayline furniture solutions like the Napoli series feature a distinct modern look that's hard to miss. This top seller includes a variety of matching veneer conference tables as well as super stylish discount reception desks to meet the needs of any workspace. For home owners, Napoli Desk solutions are available in a variety of sizes and 3 finish options. Additional glass wall cabinets and modern wood bookcases are also available for added storage.

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The new MINI Paceman makes sense. I think

HERE’S a thought. The new MINI Paceman is the car the Countryman should have been.

For what it’s worth, I think the latest addition to the already expansive MINI range has a name that makes it sound a bit like a personal stereo for people with cardiac problems but most of Britain's motoring writers have found other things to be cruel about – it’s a worthy enough car, they reckon, but one that’s completely pointless. Why would anyone want a MINI Countryman with less room and fewer doors?

Well, I would, and here’s why.

Before I go any further I’ve got two things I ought to declare – that I owned not one, but two of the classic Minis, and that I’ve yet to actually drive the Paceman. I have, however, got behind the wheel of its closest cousin, the five door Countryman, the open-top, two-seater MINI Roadster, and a couple of different versions of the vanilla MINI hatchback estates agents up and down the land have loved more than a decade.

There’s nothing that really touches an original Mini for immediate, smile-on-your-face small car fun but I’ve always liked the new MINI because it’s frisky, good looking and packed with character (even though I’d still take a Suzuki Swift Sport over a Cooper). The Countryman though, was the exception the rule – not only is this Nissan Qashqai rival a bit weird and bloated looking, but it didn’t feel like a MINI when I drove it. To badly misquote Get Carter, it’s a big car but it’s out of shape.

The Paceman, though, is like a Countryman that’s been down to the gym to get back into shape – yes, it’s bigger than the normal MINI but it still looks the part, which if you’re in the market for a MINI is what matters. I know you only get four seats to the Countryman’s five and two fewer doors but it’s still measurably more practical than the MINI without looking like its overdone it on the Melton Mowbrays. Better to drive too, if the musings of the motoring magazines who’ve already tested it are anything to go by.

Let me put it to you this way – the MINI Clubvan is hopelessly impractical next to the similarly priced Berlingo and Kangoo vans but not one small business will care, because the Clubvan grabs eyeballs and the Gallic load-luggers don’t. Looks count for an awful lot in MINI land. The Paceman has what it takes, and the Countryman doesn’t.

So I get the point of the Paceman entirely. Just a shame about the name, really.

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