The proposed ban on the sale of new petrol/diesel cars in 2030.

[Normb666]

It's an interesting one, that's for sure. But it's so far off, and so un-thought-out, that no-one will have any details of how it'll work for a good while yet.
Petrol and diesel cars will still be available till 2030, and given how long cars last these days, fuel for them will be around for at least 10-15 years after that to supply those cars. Fuel for classics after that? Yeah, that'll still be available, but who knows at what price. ICE powered kit cars? Well, the UK is very good at exemptions if the argument is put correctly. So also given what the classic industry is worth to the UK, we'll be fine, I reckon.

The proper way to get the population to adopt something new is to make it the better, cheaper, obvious choice. That is, people move over to it because they'd be daft not to. That's why no-one goes to work on a horse any more. Same argument applies for BEVs and that ilk. Right now they're too expensive and limited, and impractical for most people, not least in terms of range and charging. Saying "we'll ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from the year XXXX" isn't the way to do it... So, if it looks like the UK can't hit that 2030 target, it'll just be extended. Simples. And also, we're hosting the big climate summits next year, aren't we....gotta do something that makes us look like leaders. And then quietly water it down shortly thereafter.

Me? Cynical?? Where'd you get that idea??

[Paul Eustace]

Air pollution will become the biggest reason to move to Battery Electric Vehicles. I have foster children with asthma and car exhaust fumes outside their schools are an awful thing.
I have owned a Tesla Model 3 for just over a year. It's the 3rd fastest accelerating 4 door saloon on the road, only other Tesla's are faster. I always leave home with a full tank - 300 miles of range. Tesla super chargers are everywhere. I drove with my family to Geneva and charged during food and toilet breaks. At no point did we wait for charging to complete. Oh, and it self drives.
It is an expensive car but if I was still working it qualifies for zero BIC taxation. Essentially anyone who continues to buy a mid range company car should really be thinking about a Tesla.
Running costs are 1.2p per mile for electricity, zero road tax, dirt cheap insurance. I intend to keep it forever as it keeps getting better due to over the air updates. Signs are that the batteries will do a million miles!
I have a deposit on a Cybertruck and am trying to convince my wife as to the merits of a Model S Plaid, 200mph, 500+ mile range and less than 2s 0-60 are a must have..... Running the Model 3 as a RoboTaxi might just pay for the Model S.
The world is changing faster than people's imagination.

[LPH_UK]

Paul - genuine question. Does the speed of electric cars, with no noise, or gear changing etc. not feel a bit soulless?

To me driving is about a whole mix of things, sound, changing gear, dealing with torque curves of engines etc. It's not just about outright speed.

[Iowstratos]

Very interesting article.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CUA...&feature=share

[Normb666]

Saw that yesterday. He says pretty much all the things I was already thinking...I reckon at some point in the next few years you'll see exemptions for low-volume manufacturers, at the very least, and if the synthetic fuel thing comes off there'll be nothing to worry about. In fact there'll be nothing to worry about anyway, once the nostalgia thing kicks in - look at how people go crackers over steam trains now. Was on a trip round the Cumbrian coast in September and my arm nearly fell off waving to the hordes lining the track pretty much all the way round!(What IS it with people waving at trains???)

I just hope all these conversions popping up, of converting classics to electric running, can be reversed, because an electric MGB or E-Type is totally missing the point....they're not MGBs or E-Types any more and their values will be on the floor!

[LPH_UK]

Harry makes some good points in this video.

The 'green tariff' elec is all done an 'accounting' type system, not the actual electricity that comes into your property. In the East Mids we are currently the highest g CO2e per kWh in the UK at just under 400. Even if you are paying for a 100% renewable tariff here you'll certainly not be using that elec. you'll be suing the dirty stuff!

It's like the current rush to achieve 'net zero' emissions. No one can achieve real zero so you 'offset' any emissions you do have by planting trees, buying 'carbon credits' etc. It has all the makings of an enormous con, ponzi type scheme. Which I fear is what it will actually become.

He also speaks a lot of sense about the driving experience of ICE cars. Elec cars are quiet and have mad performance but driving isn't just about that, the experience is a whole mix of things and lots of them are unmeasurable and emotional.

Some of his claims about the ICEs being zero CO2e for maintenance (compared to changing batteries etc) are spurious though.