please log in to view this image Gentleman · Electric car - the biggest scam the world has ever seen? Has anyone ever thought about this? 'If all cars were electric... And if we were stuck in a three hour traffic jam in the cold of a snowstorm, our batteries would be completely dead. Because electric cars basically don't have heating. And the fact that I was stuck all night on the street without battery, heating, wipes, radio, GPS, battery died a long time ago. You can try to call emergency services and protect women and children, but they cannot come to help because every road is closed and probably every police car will be electric. And when the roads are blocked by thousands of cars, no one will be able to move forward. How do you charge batteries on the spot? Traffic jams are the same problem even during holidays. It would not be possible to turn on the air conditioning in an electric car for a short time. Your batteries would be dead in no time! Of course no politician or journalist is talking about this, but it will happen.
Knowing as I do about the affect on batteries in cold weather by living on the Canadian prairies for over 30 years I have often thought that electric cars are akin to water and electricity. The moment the temperature falls below 0C the battery output falls off the edge of the world although in fairness that is the battery's ability to turn over a standard engine due to oil viscosity at those temperatures. Even so a battery is designed to work better in more moderate climates like out here on the west coast and England but sitting in a snowdrift for hours would not be a good thing and I'm sure as the mess is cleared away the regular cars will have a better chance of going home sooner than the Muskmobiles. Climate change is a clear but fuzzy danger, so mixed opinions will rule the day.
I certainly believe the climate is changing, we can all see that it is and the extremes of heat and cold are being felt all over the world The issue I have is the insane rush to net zero when there is no concrete evidence that it’s man’s activity that’s to blame. As I’ve said before there has been no cost analysis of what the man on the street will be asked to pay towards being Carbon neutral when there is little evidence to suggest it will make any difference even if we achieve it. So if wr get to net zero and the weather doesn’t change and the temperatures don’t drop….,,Then what ? Come up with another fairy tale ? We are one of the least polluting countries on the developed world People who are all in favour of it will soon change their minds if their utility bills need go up another 50% or if Income tax needs to rise by thousands of pounds a year per person Because the Government won’t pay for this insanity We will
Obviously as a much smaller nation our impact is much less, but the doesn’t mean we can just wash our hands of it and not do our bit.
In the last few years, I believe I’ve noticed an increase in the interest in classic cars. I certainly see a lot more on the road than I used to. Most can be bought for a few grand; it may cost a few grand more to properly put on the road. But after that, you’ve probably got something than will (gradually) increase in value. It should be quite easy to maintain and, depending upon engine size, cheap to run. it won’t be the modern technological nightmare that only a dealer can sort and you’ll have a car that people are genuinely interested in!! I would much rather buy a classic car at a fraction of the price of an electric one!
I’ve thought about it, and that’s why I won’t buy an electric car. The government will have to extend their deadline for all cars to be electric as the plan isn’t tenable.
My point still stands, we can only influence what we do as a country. Personally I pay very little income tax as a percentage of the full amount paid, less than 1%, I still have to do my bit and pay it. It’s not purely about the amount it’s about the principle and the bigger picture.
And you can fix them when they go wrong Perfect example was on my 20,000 mile Focus where the DSR box went west which is the brain of the car and controls virtually everything £1,300 to have a new one fitted but the older classics are all fixable with a few simple tools, and they aren’t not relying on a computer to diagnose the problem !
When Will politicians ever tell the truth about anything? Yes change can influence climate change but the big problem is just too many people on the planet full stop! No answer to that problem!!
If we don’t adapt our behaviour quickly enough the planet will get rid of most, or all of us, problem solved. As a species we are arrogant, think we know best, it will eventually be our downfall.
Apologies for resurrecting this older thread of yours, but here's another nail in the coffin of the "Electric revolution". that's appeared today. I notice the government's target for rapid charging points by the end of '23 has failed miserably. What's more, even the ultra rapid charging points will only provide about 100 miles range for a 35 minute wait. I can fill my tank from empty from the forecourt pumps in 3 minutes and that gives me nearly 600 miles worth of motoring without a further visit. Are they bloody dreaming about this vital rollout of the future to allegedly save the planet? Or are they all living in fear of being seen not to be?
We have a hybrid. Decent enough. Charge at home post journeys (around Bristol), now barely using petrol, and saving money.
The electric 'revolution' has been poorly thought through just like Heat Pumps. Some people have switched to electric and have no regrets. Others that I know have returned their electric cars after massive delays getting them, but also as they are a pain to live with in terms of not giving them the cost savings or range they were anticipating and that the manufacturers promised. Companies like BMW and Mercedes have successfully balloted the German government to extend the sale of Petrol and Diesel vehicles due to the relatively poor uptake of electric vehicles, whilst those who live in flats or who have no off street parking can't easily charge an electric car. I shan't be changing to an electric car anytime soon given I only drive about 3,000 miles a year and my 2017 petrol fuelled car has only done 22k from new.