WTF is happening in the UK?

[Boac]

I think it stinks, PN.

[Pontius Navigator]

BM, H2S or HS2, that the latter is also a stink.

[Boac]

Opinion is that Boris has lost his ?marballs' a bit by declaring the UK will ban the sale of all cars with any sort of internal combustion engines by 2035. 15 years to re-jig the industry, install sufficient charging points and work out how to still gather 'fuel tax'?

On yer bike, Boris.

[Pontius Navigator]

BOAC, oh ye of little faith. Boris will be long gone by then. Even the Labour messiah (Blair) didn't last 15 years.

[G-CPTN]

My son has expressed his desire to move from a diesel-powered car to a 'hybrid' - but I doubt he would move to an all-electric vehicle (though there is fifteen years of development still to come before 2035).

My problem (like many others) would be 'on-street' charging.

As an aside, the 'gas board' are installing a new gas main solely to serve a new-build estate.
Has nobody informed the developer that gas is being phased out?

[k3k3]

We haven't even got the railways to the south west electrified, how are they going to do the roads?

[Pontius Navigator]

G CPTN, we are doing that too. We are down sizing from a large Mercedes diesel to a smaller Toyota Hybrid. We considered pure electric but the hybrid is less expensive than a Nissan Leaf. The affordable Leaf has a range iro 168 miles. We frequently do trips around 100 miles and do not want the range anxiety. When we are down to 60 miles in our diesels (10%range) we start looking for fuel. We would not want that every trip.

We also do trips to one daughter 200 miles away. We don't want to schedule a couple of 30 minute breaks.

Come 2035 ranges for non-carbon should be much better but I probably won't be here then.

[barkingmad]

Apparently the UK retook it’s dusty unused seat at the WTO yesterday, but no MSM news outlet saw fit to report this?

I appreciate the WTO is in a bit of a bind but the very fact we’re back there talking to non-EUSSR countries about trade surely must put the wind up the Brussels bureaucracy and the dreaded Commission?

I wonder why this was not a top news story, unless the telling would upset the Rejoiners as their nirvana of cuddling up to Ursula & co disappears further into fictionland.

It really is a crying shame that I have to find out from social meeja what’s happening on such issues because MSM decides what it’s best that I don’t know!

[Capetonian]

There has been a slew of articles in the Telegraph this week (and presumably in other media too) about the many downsides of hybrids as they currently are.

My wife bought one 3 years ago. I told her at the time that they are neither here nor there, and as such, the worst of both worlds. Naturally, she knew better. I carry on with my old diesel and will soon replace it with another diesel 2.5 TdI.

[Pontius Navigator]

A new Toyota hybrid is more affordable than keeping my diesel Merc on the road. We did not want to get a Battery Electric Vehicle as mileage against cost didn't add up. We considered a plug in hybrid but where we live and our use makes them inefficient. Now we learn many people don't bother plugging them in. This left us with the recharging hybrid.

We considered the Kia Niro but were treated with indifference. Having test driven the Toyota we could see how much battery use it had. In our three hour test drive we managed to improve its displayed mpg range over its previous 11,000 miles.

Our choice was driven by cost and I think we shall make some significant saving though will take a hit on insurance.

[llondel]

When it comes to hybrids, look at the running cost per mile, compare that to what it costs on an ICE-only car and how many miles you'd expect to do in the chosen vehicle and then you'll see whether it's worth it. Don't forget to factor in the increase in fuel costs.

[Rwy in Sight]

PN, how long does the battery warranty last? Either in distance or time? And do yo know if they get cheaper over the years?

[AtomKraft]

My Sunbeam Tiger is 55 years old. I expect it'll do another 15.
It likes a drink, 5 litre V8, but it's already outlasted most cars so must have some green brownie points?
Is it eco-friendly, or not?

[Pontius Navigator]

Not sure where extra fuel costs arise. Apart from increased insurance coming from a more expensive car, I expect savings. Road tax £12/month less, fuel costs 13p/g less (Diesel to Petrol), 25% lower consumption, no MOT, less expensive maintenance (present car was £1,000/year for repairs and £400 service).

My mileage is about 14k/yr or 350g so hopefully 260g (90*£5.62 + 260*0.13), roughly £500

So £140 + £1000 + £500 + £40 = £1,680. I am also due a new set of tyres.

[Pontius Navigator]

PN, how long does the battery warranty last? Either in distance or time? And do yo know if they get cheaper over the years?

The guarantee is 5 years. I aim to replace the car before that. I don't think the battery is too expensive, I think I read about £1000.

[Pontius Navigator]

My Sunbeam Tiger is 55 years old. I expect it'll do another 15.
It likes a drink, 5 litre V8, but it's already outlasted most cars so must have some green brownie points?
Is it eco-friendly, or not?

I don't know the Tiger but remember the Alpine. I suspect your Bolsheviks a lot less than mine. The present diesel we have done 68,000 in under 5 years. We had hoped to reduce our mileage grandparent and mother in law duties don't allow that.

[llondel]

My comment about fuel costs was more thinking long-term. If you were justifying a car over a 5-year period and fuel costs doubled during that period then the argument for the more efficient car gets more persuasive even if it had a higher initial outlay.

[ian16th]

My Sunbeam Tiger is 55 years old. I expect it'll do another 15.
It likes a drink, 5 litre V8, but it's already outlasted most cars so must have some green brownie points?
Is it eco-friendly, or not?

You have a Tiger! I'm dead jealous.

Untimely victim of the Chrysler take over of Rootes, and the death of what was probably the best car that Rootes built. Just because it had a Ford motor and Chrysler didn't build one that would fit in the car.

Let's have the story of it. By PM if you like.

[ian16th]

My Sunbeam Tiger is 55 years old. I expect it'll do another 15.
It likes a drink, 5 litre V8, but it's already outlasted most cars so must have some green brownie points?
Is it eco-friendly, or not?

I don't know the Tiger but remember the Alpine. I suspect your Bolsheviks a lot less than mine. The present diesel we have done 68,000 in under 5 years. We had hoped to reduce our mileage grandparent and mother in law duties don't allow that.

It was an Alpine with a Ford 5l V8.

The regular Alpine had the Hillman Hunter GT motor.

[Boac]

If I am still around in 2035 and still driving, and I rock up at a mate's house for a recharge (he doesn't have a charging point) - can I recharge via an extension lead and charger? What is the current draw?