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Showing posts from February, 2019

Are driverless cars actually an option?

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Elon Musk, owner of American car company Tesla, has claimed that his new self-driving vehicles will not need human steering at all. This might just be the start of a bigger revolution – driverless cars. It seems that the technology is within our reach, but is it something that we’ll see on our local roads anytime soon? When we think driverless cars, we may imagine cars with no steering wheels or pedals, that are fully in control of the passengers. However, there are plenty of different ‘stages’ of autonomy and in reality there are many different types of driverless cars. Some offer to assist you with the pedals, while others will take full control until you decide you want the control back. While fully automated cars are an option, you also have the option to retain some control. Self-driving cars aim to decrease the number of collisions on the road and allow the passengers to focus on other tasks, giving them more productivity time. Technically, it will make driving more

We slept outside to raise money for the homeless. This is what happened.

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There's around 320,000 people sleeping rough in the UK, according to research published by homeless charity Shelter at the end of 2018. To raise awareness, and much-needed funds, two members of the Low Cost Vans family, along with many others from across the Swansea Bay area, gathered at Swansea City's Liberty Stadium to spend the night sleeping outdoors. The event, entitled The Cold Truth, was organised by local radio station The Wave, and raised an impressive £25,000 for their nominated charities. And while the experience in no way compares to the real hardships faced by those who have no choice but to sleep outdoors night after night, it did offer a brief insight into the challenges they face. This is Alesha and Debbi's diary of that night... Arrival  Like Bank Holidays and long weekends, you can always rely on the British weather to rain at the worst possible times - and that's exactly what happened when the pair arrived at the Liberty Stadium. Alesha

WIN tickets to see Wales v Ireland in the Six Nations 2019 in Cardiff

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Could it be another title-deciding match in Wales? Reigning champions Ireland will travel to Cardiff on the final day of the Guinness Six Nations 2019, and with the Rugby World Cup looming, both sides will be looking to impress. Rugby fans will be cheering on their team from the bars and their sofas, but nothing comes close to experiencing the big match in person. And while tickets might be like gold dust, here's some good news - we've got a pair to give away to one lucky rugby fan for free! WHEN AND WHERE IS IT: Wales will take on Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations at: The Principality Stadium, Cardiff Saturday, March 16, 2.45pm HOW TO ENTER: To be in with a chance of winning, simply fill in the form below to sign up to our free monthly DASHBOARD newsletter and hit the subscribe button. That's it - easy! And don't worry if you're already signed up to our newsletter, your entry will still be counted. To increase your odds of winni

Electric cars may not be as revolutionary as you think

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Electric cars seem like a thing of the future. While they’re becoming more and more popular on our roads, they are yet to dominate over their petrol counterparts. It seems like they’re a phenomenon that’s appeared in recent years. But what if we told you that there were electric cars on the road as early as the 1800s? Lead-acid rechargeable batteries were invented in 1859, which allowed for the beginning of the journey towards electric vehicles. In 1881, the design of these batteries were improved and allowed them to be mass produced. This meant that there was potential there for electric vehicles to be developed and even be available to the mass public. In the UK, Thomas Parker built the first practical electric car in 1884. He was responsible for electrifying the London Underground, and was conscious of fuel efficiency as well as the air quality in London. In 1888, the Electric Construction Corporation was formed and they dominated the British electric car market of

These futuristic vehicles are going to change the roads as we know them

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There are a lot of futuristic vehicles in the pipeline that we could be seeing on our roads (or in some cases, above our roads) in the near future. The way that we utilise our vehicles is changing rapidly and the possibilities are endless. Here are some vehicles that we could be using sooner than you think. Drones Drones are now starting to become a staple in normal homes, the everyday person now able to film amazing footage from the comfort of their own back garden. But what if we told you that drones could be replacing some of the services you use? Amazon have already rolled out plans to replace delivery drivers with drones, and in America you may even find a new robot called “Amazon Scout” roaming the streets. Delivery drivers could become a thing of the past as drones take care of your next purchase. This technology has the potential to replace more than just your next parcel delivery, however. Drones are already used in militaries across the globe, with the Briti

Refer a friend and be rewarded: Get £50* back and £5 off your monthly rental with Low Cost Vans

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You’ve just had a great deal on your vehicle, so why not share the savings with a friend? By referring somebody to Low Cost Vans, you can get £50* back, as well as £5 off the monthly rental when you renew your current vehicle. Your friend will also get £5 off the monthly rental on their new van, and you can refer as many people as you want — and get another £50* each time! FIND OUT MORE: Just phone 01792 818538 and quote your referrer’s registration number or business name. www.lowcostvans.co.uk *£50 voucher Terms and conditions: Low Cost Vans, First National Cars and First Electric Vehicles are trading names of Crownhawk Properties Limited. We are a credit broker not a lender. Crownhawk Properties Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN: 683914. Calls are recorded for compliance and training purposes. Crownhawk Properties Limited is registered in England and Wales. Company Reg. No. 3830322 VAT reg. no. 790718306 Registered Office: Si

What to get your car-loving partner this Valentine’s Day

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Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your car-enthusiast partner? Buying a present for a loved one can be a gruelling task sometimes, but look no further! We’ve compiled a list of things, no matter what your budget, that you can get for a loved one this year. Seat Warmer February can be a chilly month, so a heated seat cover is the perfect gift this Valentine’s Day. Plug it into your car and within minutes your seat will be toasty warm. Similarly, if you want to buy something that’ll last all year round, a massage seat cover might be another option to consider. Supercar Experience Has your partner got a need for speed? A supercar experience might just be what they need. Give them the opportunity to drive a supercar round a race track. There are loads of options, with the chance to pick from a variety of cars and track lengths. Driving Sunglasses Some sunglasses are better for driving than others – the AA has laid out a handy guide for what to look f