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Freda Lewis-Stempel

Freda Lewis-Stempel, Motoring Reporter

Freda Lewis-Stempel joined Daily Mail and ThisisMoney as Motoring Reporter with a wealth of experience across the automotive industry. Freda has written and presented both in-house and freelance across the sector - for luxury EV companies, e-commerce car dealers including cinch and Cazoo, OEMs and household magazines such as Country Life Magazine. She specialises in electric cars and sustainability.

Coverage: Cars Electric Cars

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM FREDA LEWIS-STEMPEL

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Councils need more funding to install public EV charge points

03/02/26 09:00

A lack of council and central government funding for EV charge points is stalling EV charging network rollout, new research from Charge Point Operator Believ has found. Last year the total number of EV charge points installed fell by 30% compared to 2024....read

Nearly half of drivers now scared of driving on smart motorways
03/02/26 12:01
An increasing number of drivers admit they feel nervous or anxious driving on 'smart' motorways - high speed roads with no hard shoulder.
Chinese car giant to open new European HQ in Liverpool as rumours of deal with Jaguar Land Rover to make vehicles in UK factories surface
02/02/26 08:35
Focused specifically on research and development, the site isn't expected to build any vehicles with production retained in its home nation.
- 135 comments
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BYD Sealion 5 DM-i: Is the latest Chinese plug-in hybrid to arrive in Britain worth the £30,000 price tag?
31/01/26 07:01
BYD is the largest EV maker in the world and taking the UK by storm. It's new plug-in hybrid Sealion 5 DM-i model is here. But can it impress as well as deliver an affordable £29,995 starting price?
Volvo tells customers to not charge their electric SUVs above 70% due to battery 'fire risks'
30/01/26 12:04
The Swedish car maker - now owned by Chinese giant Geely - has informed owners of its £33k EX30 EV to not charge above this threshold as faulty batteries could lead to fire in rare cases.
- 496 comments
- 29 shares
Is Tesla turning its back on electric cars? Musk's firm stops producing pioneering Model S and X
30/01/26 09:28
Tesla will cease making its Model X SUV and Model S saloon in the next few months as it pivots towards robots, self-driving taxis and AI.
Chinese car giant Chery could use JLR plant to build its cars in the UK as Keir Starmer travels to Beijing
29/01/26 11:16
Chery - which is China's largest car exporter - is in talks to utilise a JLR site which is operating at 'undercapacity' to build its own brand cars, according to reports.
- 132 comments
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I've driven King Charles' new £140k Chinese electric hyper-SUV - here's what it's really like
29/01/26 07:00
King Charles was at the weekend seen in his new Lotus Eletre. We've driven the Chinese-made all-electric hyper-SUV. Here's what we thought - especially about its 603hp.
Ineos Grenadier gets an upgrade for 2026: Has a steering overhaul finally made this go-anywhere off-roader better to drive on the road?
28/01/26 09:24
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's car brand has updated its Grenadier and Quartermaster models for 2026 based on customer feedback. So, does it drive better than before?
Richard Hammond is selling four of his favourite cars... here's what you could buy
28/01/26 09:00
The former Top Gear presenter and motoring enthusiast is selling four of his prized motors next month - including a Fast Ford and a pre-war touring car.
We drive the cheapest Tesla Model Y - can the new £42k 'Standard' fix the brand's reputation and reverse its sales slump?
24/01/26 07:00
Tesla is kicking off 2026 with a new approach and a new cut-price version of its best-selling Model Y SUV by £7,000. We test drove the new Model Y Standard to see if its a bargain or bag full of false promises.
BMW's 500-mile iX3 electric SUV voted 'Car of the Year': What Car? reveals best models you can buy in 2026
22/01/26 11:00
BMW's electric iX3 SUV has claimed the coveted honour of being the 2026 Car of the Year at the annual 'Motoring Oscars'. The second-generation EV has a range of 500 miles and 400kW charging.
I've driven the Chinese EVs taking Britain by storm... here are the best five - and one to avoid
20/01/26 10:00
When it comes to choosing a new car, buyers will want different things. But high up the list for almost all prospective buyers is value for money.
Germany launches huge discounts to boost electric and hybrid car sales - and it dwarfs UK grants
20/01/26 09:46
The German Government will discount the price of new electric and plug-in hybrid cars to boost sales - and the savings are significantly larger than those Britons are being offered.
- 175 comments
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Faded road markings are causing a 'frightening' number of near crashes, RAC warns
20/01/26 12:01
One in six drivers say they've almost been involved in crashes due to faded road markings, according to a new survey of motorists.
- 270 comments
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Does fast charging an electric car shorten the battery's lifespan?
19/01/26 10:25
On average, EV batteries lose just over 2% of their capacity a year, a new study has found. But there is a detrimental impact to battery lifespan for those who regularly use rapid and ultra-rapid chargers.
Most popular colours for new cars revealed - and a bold tone stages a comback
16/01/26 12:01
For the eighth year in a row grey has topped the new car colour charts, 2025 figures from the SMMT confirm. But there is some colour in the top three...
- 115 comments
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Best used electric cars for less than £10,000 with a decent range: Our EV expert reveals her five top choices
15/01/26 10:20
I want to buy a used, compact EV under £10,000 with a range of 200 miles or more. It needs to be spacious and NOT a Tesla. What are my options?
- 482 comments
- 45 shares
Dacia will be the first brand to sell two electric city cars at the same time - and both cost around £15k
14/01/26 12:43
The Romanian budget brand's new £15,000 EV will be revealed soon and will share a platform with the Renault Twingo.
EU set to relax tariffs on Chinese EVs as demand for cheap Far East models rocket
13/01/26 11:15
The European Commission has published guidance that would see Chinese EV makers set minimum prices for their electric vehicles.
- 144 comments
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Rachel Reeves set to cut VAT on public electric car charging to offset fears over pay-per-mile tax
13/01/26 09:54
The Government is could make EV charging on the public network cheaper by clashing VAT by 15%. The aim is to stop EV demand being killed from pay-per-mile tax in 2028.
- 236 comments
- 8 shares
Most affordable Tesla yet: Struggling US EV maker launches cut-price Model 3 Standard
10/01/26 07:00
Tesla has brought out another cut-price version of one of its best-selling models to tempt buyers back to the brand. The Model 3 Standard will cost £37,990 and is on sale now.
Kia launches its smallest electric SUV yet - and it will cost less than £25k
09/01/26 03:21
The Korean brand is the latest to launch a new compact-size electric car with a low start price. Here's what we know about it so far.
- 155 comments
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Volvo's 500-mile range electric EX60 SUV is almost here
08/01/26 05:56
The full reveal will happen on 21 January but here's what we know.
- 304 comments
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What Labour's road safety strategy means for YOU - from mandatory over 70s eye tests to stricter drink drive limits
07/01/26 12:01
The Government has announced the first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade. It will tackle everything from drink-drive limits to mandatory eye tests.
- 313 comments
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Tesla killer BYD sees record breaking sales results in the UK
06/01/26 09:50
Chinese car giant BYD has cemented itself in the UK as the biggest seller of 'electrified' vehicles It sold more EVs and plug-in hybrids than any other brand. Globally BYD outsold Tesla in EVs.
Have you been defrosting your car all wrong? Here's how to do it without damaging your vehicle - or getting a fine
05/01/26 02:58
With the cold snap set in motorists are needing to defrost their cars on the daily. So, here are our tips for safely, legally and effectively defrosting your car windows to avoid being fined.
- 508 comments
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Peugeot e-3008 Dual Motor: Is it worth paying over £50k for a Peugeot EV?
03/01/26 08:20
Peugeot is trying to catch the premium electric SUV buyer with its Dual Motor e-3008 model. But with a £50k-plus price tag for a car with only over 300 miles of range, is it really a family buy?
- 225 comments
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The most and least reliable electric cars named and shamed
02/01/26 07:01
You'd expect EVs to breakdown less because they have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel models. But is that true? We reveal the EVs that are reliable and those that aren't...
Has Labour killed off the pick-up truck with tax hikes? We put three popular models to the test to see if they're worth the premium
01/01/26 12:20
In April, Labour stopped double cabs from being treated as commericial vehicles, and instead they are being treated as cars.
- 98 comments
- 21 shares
Brand new cars coming in 2026: Our A-Z preview Part 2 - from Bentley to new Chinese brand Denza
31/12/25 07:00
With a new year comes a fresh batch of cars hitting showrooms for the first time. And 2026's arrivals are predominately EVs. Here are the second lot of 13 models to look out for.
Brand new cars coming in 2026: Our A-Z preview begins - from BMW to Volkswagen
30/12/25 07:00
With a new year comes a fresh batch of cars hitting showrooms for the first time. And 2026's arrivals are predominately EVs. Here are 13 models to look out for.
The ten most reliable SUVs revealed - rated by the drivers who own them
28/12/25 07:00
SUVs are the most popular car type in the UK, outselling the supermini. But are they reliable to own or will they suffer faults and be expensive to repair? Here are the models you can count on...
Ten of the most loved cars that are going electric in 2026
27/12/25 07:41
Every year more EVs arrive on the new car market, and 2026 is no different. Many famous nameplates are going electric - from Porsche Cayenne to Renault Twingo. Here are 10.
Best and worst breakdown providers revealed: When the worst happens, which patrols can you really count on?
23/12/25 07:00
To make sure your car is fixed quickly, here are the best and worst breakdown providers ranked by car owners.
- 189 comments
- 59 shares
How electric car drivers can avoid charging queues when driving home for Christmas
21/12/25 12:16
Every year millions of drivers take to the roads before Christmas to reunite with friends and family. But what should you know if you're driving an electric car? Here's our savings guide.
Car production falls amid concerns it could get worse after EU turned its back on 2035 petrol and diesel ban
19/12/25 10:23
Britain's vehicle production fell 14.3% last month, as both car and commercial vehicle output declined, new industry figures.
- 63 comments
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Politicians making drivers lose confidence in electric vehicles
19/12/25 12:01
The EU watering down its 2035 ban on petrol, and new pay-per-mile taxes in the UK are weaking confidence, says a new report.
- 129 comments
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Britain's driving test backlog crisis won't be cleared until November 2027 as DVSA parachutes in new chief exec to clear logjam of learners
17/12/25 03:41
The backlog situation has become so bad that a third of learners are paying third parties up to £500 to book a test because of the wait times, a watchdog has found.
- 52 comments
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Electric Nissan Leaf production starts TODAY: Survival of Britain's biggest car factory now relies on it being a sales hit
16/12/25 02:15
With the car giant posting a record net loss of £3.8bn last year and the plant receiving a £450m overhaul, its future - and that of its 6,000 workforce - rely on it being a success.
The cheapest car just got cheaper! Dacia Sandero updated with new looks, better tech and a lower price tag
16/12/25 10:04
Dacia, the budget Romanian car maker, has announced refreshed Sandero and Spring models for 2026. With comprehensive upgrades how much will the new models cost?
Cheaper than a Tesla: Chinese brand's first EV sold in the UK undercuts Model Y - and can recharge in 12 minutes
15/12/25 11:49
The Tesla Model Y rival is not just cheaper to buy but can charge from 10-80% in less than a quarter of an hour.
- 313 comments
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Banned 26 number plates: Full list of 403 registrations DVLA rejected because they're too rude or offensive
12/12/25 07:00
The DVLA has released its bi-annual list of number plates it deems too rude or offensive for the road - and the '26' list is 403 strong. Here's the full list...
- 307 comments
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Another blow to EV drivers as major energy supplier quietly reduces number of cheap charging hours on most popular tariff
11/12/25 09:53
From the end of January Octopus's Intelligent Go tariff that offers cheap off-peak rates will be automatically time-limited to six hours.
- 159 comments
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MG S6 EV is the latest electric family SUV - does it feel premium or forgettable in a mass of Chinese rivals?
10/12/25 09:26
MG has launched a more premium, slightly more expensive large family SUV. The S6 EV has a range of 329 miles and costs from just under £38k. Is it a step up for MG buyers?
One in 15 cars have 'ghost plates' designed to help criminals evade ANPR cameras in 'national security threat'
09/12/25 04:57
As many as one in 15 vehicles may have plates designed to evade detection by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, a parliamentary transport report has found.
Could the Fiesta come back as a small electric car? Ford joins up with Renault to bring out two affordable EVs in 2028
09/12/25 01:58
Today Ford and Renault have announced a 'strategic partnership' which will see Ford use Renault's Ampere EV platform to build two affordable EVs.
Should friends and family who charge their EVs at your house pay for the electricity they use?
09/12/25 07:00
With over 1.4million electric vehicles already on our roads and around 450,000 new battery cars being snapped up in 2025, a major question remains over etiquette when visiting friends and family...
- 144 comments
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Cut-price Model Y Standard soon arrives in Britain - will a cheaper version of Tesla's best-selling EV be a hit?
08/12/25 11:20
Tesla has brought its Model Y Standard - a more 'affordable' entry-level version of the SUV - to the UK. It's on sale now, with deliveries expected from February.
Most electric car drivers are happy with their motor... and only 3% would go back to petrol
06/12/25 07:00
An overwhelming majority of electric car drivers are happy with their vehicle and Britain's charging network, data shows.
- 609 comments
- 1 share
Electric car sales record smallest growth in two years as Rachel Reeves' pay-per-mile tax hits demand
04/12/25 01:35
The deceleration in appetite for new battery cars was triggered by reports emerging ahead of the Budget last month.
- 315 comments
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Drivers told to brace for an expensive Christmas at the pumps as petrol prices accelerate at fastest rate for 18 months
04/12/25 12:01
Petrol prices at the end of November reached 137.17p a litre - the highest since March, leaving drivers facing expensive Christmas getaways.
Jaguar reveals 'London Red' Type 00 EV available to buy in the summer... just a day after design chief exits
03/12/25 03:34
Jaguar revealed a 'London Red' Type 00 yesterday in the capital but the event was overshadowed by the news that design boss Gerry McGovern has abruptly left the company.
What is the best EV home charger? Study finds a clear winner for electric drivers
03/12/25 07:00
A new survey by car buying platform What Car? has found out which EV home chargers are rated the best and worst by EV owners. We reveal the rankings.
- 87 comments
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Design boss behind Jaguar's 'woke' rebrand departs abruptly after 21 years with the company
02/12/25 10:01
Sources said chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, who helped design the new Jaguar Type 00 concept electric vehicle, left the company on Monday.
- 129 comments
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JLR design chief Gerry McGovern exits - man behind Jaguar rebrand leaves before cars arrive
02/12/25 05:00
JLR design boss Gerry McGovern has left the manufacturer - the man responsible for Jaguar's polarising rebrand.
Council crackdown on drivers abusing EV charging bays: Over 160,000 fines dished out in the last five years
02/12/25 09:23
EV ownership is rising, but so too are the number of fines drivers are receiving for wrongly parking in an EV bay or overstaying their welcome. Here are six tips to avoid a £70 PCN.
- 145 comments
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Four-in-five motorists want cars to be fitted with breathalysers to crackdown on drink-drivers
01/12/25 12:58
Some 82% of licence holders surveyed by the RAC said they want alcohol interlocks fitted to cars to tackle drink-driving reoffenders.
Is pay-per-mile tax on EVs a good move and will it be rolled out to petrol cars too? Road pricing expert Edmund King casts his verdict
29/11/25 07:00
Edmund King, OBE, isn't just the president of the AA; he's the co-creator of the 'Road Miles' scheme - a fairer take on pay-per-mile. He gives his verdict on the Government's eVED plans.
- 1014 comments
- 24 shares
'Only a matter of time before dazzling car LED headlights cause fatal crashes', top eye surgeon warns
28/11/25 10:49
The stark warning from ophthalmic surgeon Dr Romesh Angunawela is in response to Government-funded research that found that 96% per cent of drivers feel headlights are too bright.
- 166 comments
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Chinese car maker sticks the boot into Rachel Reeves' EV pay-per-mile sting with 'Tax Rebate' deal
28/11/25 06:12
The 'EV Tax Rebate' offer is available for two of its electric cars in an effort to counter the new eVED pay-per-mile EV tax raid announced by the Chancellor in the Budget.
- 281 comments
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'I wish I'd never bought an EV': Drivers' fury at new pay-per-mile tax that forces them to report to MOT stations every year
27/11/25 04:58
Rachel Reeves used her Budget to confirm the Treasury's controversial road pricing plans in order to claw back lost fuel duty revenue as a result of drivers moving to EVs.
Chancellor announces £1.5bn of EV measures to incentivise uptake - but will they offset threat of pay-per-mile tax?
26/11/25 04:43
At the same time the Chancellor announced a controversial pay-per-mile tax on EVs, she's sought to keep demand ticking over by announcing new incentives for zero emission cars.
Pay-per-mile tax for electric cars from 2028 CONFIRMED in the Budget: EV owners tell us how it will hit them
26/11/25 01:17
Electric vehicles will be subject to a mileage-based charge from April 2028 in a move that's been slammed by the motoring industry as 'confusing'.
Rachel Reeves to add extra £1.3bn to electric car buying incentives but still plans to tax EVs by the mile
24/11/25 11:45
The Chancellor is still expected to announce a controversial pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles in the Budget on Wednesday.
Six Chinese car that are cheaper 'Temu' alternatives to luxury favourites from the likes of Porsche and Rolls-Royce
22/11/25 07:00
Chinese vehicles often bear a resemblance to aspirational luxury cars that are typically out of reach of the majority of motorists with more modest budgets.
Will Tesla EV soon have Apple CarPlay after years of refusing?
22/11/25 07:00
Tesla is reportedly working on introducing Standard Apple CarPlay into its electric vehicles in a boost to bit sales, according to insiders who spoke to Bloomberg.
Sunderland-built Nissan Leaf just got a lot more affordable: New EV receives full £3,750 Electric Car Grant discount
21/11/25 04:26
The Leaf is only the fourth electric car to receive the tier 1 amount, which awards manufacturers of sustainably produced EVs with the biggest taxpayer-backed savings.
The Chinese 'Temu Range Rover' taking over the school run: Owners tell us why they love theirs so much as sales in Britain soar
20/11/25 02:00
The Jaecoo 7 is being dubbed the 'Temu Range Rover' online. And the cheap Chinese luxury SUV has become a UK best seller.
Half of Britons are having a difficult chat with elderly relatives about this topic
18/11/25 12:01
Currently, people in the UK must renew their driving licence from the age of 70 every three years. However, to prove if they're fit to be behind the wheel is based on self-declarations.
- 275 comments
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This much loved Japanese car brand is returning to the UK next year
17/11/25 01:45
A popular car maker that disappeared from the UK market in 2020 has confirmed it is coming back in summer 2026.
Here's what driving in China is really like - from anti-drowsiness lasers on motorways to temple toll booths
15/11/25 07:00
As Chinese cars take over UK roads, Motoring Reporter Freda Lewis-Stempel went to China and drove thousands of kilometers to experience the reality of China's roads and its huge surprises...
The electric car charging operators that drivers rate most - and the ones they say you should never plug into
14/11/25 07:00
Ask any seasoned electric car owner and they will tell you that the public charging network is a reliability lottery. These are the best and worst rated by EV drivers.
China's latest £30k family car: Omoda 7 is an affordable SUV that arrives in Britain in a matter of weeks
13/11/25 01:40
Omoda, sub-brand of Chinese car giant Chery, is bringing its 7 mid-size SUV to the UK early next year. For under £30k it offers five-seater practicality and premium tech.
Ford extends hands-free driving system to four new models allowing thousands of cars on Britain's roads to steer themselves on motorways
13/11/25 12:17
More Ford car owners from next year will get to experience - legally - driving along a motorway without having to place their hands on the steering wheel.
Peugeot Polygon is a radical small concept car with many sides and a SQUARE steering wheel
12/11/25 01:16
Peugeot has revealed its new Polygon Concept car and the tiny EV has a Hypersquare steering wheel and is built for personalisation. Here's everything we know so far....
Citroen e-C5 Aircross is only the third EV to qualify for the Government's full £3,750 Electric Car Grant
06/11/25 04:22
Citroen's e-C5 Aircross Long Range has been awarded the Government's higher band discount. The EV has a range of 422 miles on a single charge.
Faithful to Defender: How Celebrity Traitors has sent Land Rover interest through the roof
06/11/25 07:00
Is the Land Rover Defender the Celebrity Traitors' biggest star? With almost 12million people tuning in, search results have surged 35% for JLR's best selling 110.
Bentley backs combustion: Luxury car maker will offer hybrid models until at least 2035 as EV concerns mount
05/11/25 05:30
Bentley says it will stick by the internal combustion engine for at least another decade as the luxury car maker doubles down on its plans to delay switching to battery power.
One in four new cars sold in October were electric
05/11/25 12:11
New car sales rose by 0.5% as surging EV sales continued to keep the market buoyant, accounting for 24.5% of all registrations.

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