In my last post I discussed how environmentally-friendly stop-start systems were likely to become the norm on most vehicles over the next decade or so.

It seems I was right! Carmagazine.co.uk has a review of the new Stop-Start equipped Mini Cooper S – and confirms that BMW are rolling it out across their range. With modern engines, better lubricants and beefed-up starter motors and alternators, more frequent stopping and starting is no longer a problem for today’s vehicles – and idling is simply a waste.

All the vehicle electrics contiune working when the engine cuts out – including air-con and stereo – so you won’t notice the difference.

Vans, with their larger-capacity, fuel-hungry engines are an obvious target for this technology. How long before it’s standard on all new vans?