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Ford has announced a new all-electric Explorer crossover which will be available to order in Europe from later this year, writes Brian Byrne. The car is the first in a planned selection of new EVs from the brand, and will be available in both 2WD and AWD versions. The Explorer EV will be built in Cologne, Germany, which has been redeveloped as the company’s electric vehicle HQ in Europe. Virtual ‘test drives’ can be experienced online at this link .  Details on range and specifications will be available closer to launch. 

Image: Ferliana Febritasari via Pexels. The Government is planning to cut car use in cities and towns by 20pc over the next seven years by what it calls ‘demand management’ strategies, writes Brian Byrne. In a Memorandum of Information to Government today, Transport minister Eamon Ryan says the strategy will also feature ‘unprecedented’ levels of investment in public transport and active travel facilities. The strategy will take a year to complete. It was outlined as a key action in the Climate Action Plan 2023. The demand management measures will include road space reallocation, car-free zones, and user charging. Minister Ryan says the transport system today is overly-reliant on the car, bringing ‘daily traffic chaos and lower quality of life’. The strategy being developed will provide a ‘road-map’ of guiding principles for measures that could be used at local level. There will be widespread public consultation, the Memorandum brought to Government today says.