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Back to my point about not giving a shit about the environmental mess left where the lithium is mined, the batteries manufactured and the disposed of.Electric cars may be good for *our* environment but globally? Not so much.
Don't let our well regulated UK O&G industry fool you into thinking it's the same globally - quite the opposite, before even considering the devastation from CO2 emissions, war (so often down to oil grab/pipeline control) , oil spills, burning oil wells, tar sand habitat loss etc.
I'm happy to see Volvo go electric. I'll buy one.
That will be quite a few years though as first I have to wear out the present one.
I saw an ad for the Vauxhall Ampera. That looks like a good idea - basically an electric car with a back up on board generator (if I understand it correctly). It certainly solves the problem of a shortage of charging points.
Another part of reducing car usage is about multi mode transport. People always talk about bike and Train but car and train or bus needs to be easier. At the moment most park and rides are so inefficient and expensive unless you are going into town for a entire day they are slow and expensive.
Its not a transport problem, the transport part is relatively easy to fix but cars do more than that.
They empower people.
They project status.
They are fun.
You are going to need to replace those as well as provide transport options.
The battery lease on that Zoe is more than we spend putting fuel in the Toyota IQ (25 quid per fill up mostly once a month).
Maybe that's why they are so cheap?
£4000, cheap enough, for Molgrips and posssibly even Peter.
Yeah great. Can it tow a trailer full of logs or pick up 3-4 people plus luggage form the airport? Err no.
I think there quite good at towing and can fit as many people as the same size car with a petrol engine.
I think there quite good at towing and can fit as many people as the same size car with a petrol engine.
Max. braked / unbraked towing weight Not allowed / Not allowed
What you think and reality seems to be somewhat different.
Edukator - you are deliberately dodging the point I am trying to make - replacing one car with another isn't enough, there has to be an entire mode change in many cases order for it to be [b]sustainable[/b]. This isn't about localised emissions, it's about the big picture. The current trend of private car ownership is not sustainable either in road space or material costs. Electric cars as a sole option aren't sustainable either.
I'm not missing your point, Squirrelking, I'm agreeing with it. Transport infrastructure needs to be built around efficient public mass transport and people travelling less.
Many professionals will still need independant transport though, and electric vehicles are ideal for that role.
The key word here is "transition". A transition to more efficient and sustainable transport systems among other things: a transition to renewable energy sources, a transition to more sustainable manufacturing, more efficent housing and business premises... .
Right now I can walk, cycle, use the train and bus where feasible, and if I do use car, use a small electric rather than a big diesel.
Yeah great. Can it tow a trailer full of logs or pick up 3-4 people plus luggage form the airport? Err no.
You've pointed out that it's no good for you, but that doesn't mean it's no good for everyone. Why do people do this?
The current trend of private car ownership is not sustainable either in road space or material costs.
Pretty much most of our modern lifestyle is unsustainable. We'll hvae to do a lot more than adjust transport infrastructure. But it'll be a big first step forward.
Look how the idea of personal transport pods is received on here. Pretty positive. Seems like people want to own a nice car if they are going to own one, but are willing to separate all the car related bollocks and the fundamentals of transportation.
Perhaps car pods will be the norm and nice sporty cars will be a hobby related purchase like a bike or set of golf clubs.
Apologies, it didn't seem clear.
🙂
You can't fit a roof rack either. We checked two 27" MTBs would go inside and will rent/borrow if we need to move big stuff. Renault do a 30% reduction on anything you rent if you own a Renault electric. They've got so many cars in stock they'll always find you something suitbale even in peak holiday periods.
I didn't realise we were talking about one specific car more electric as power.
PeterPoddy was replying to the Zoe link.
AFAIK a most present electric cars don't tow. No idea why, it's not like it isn't possible:
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(as a bonus they're autonomous as well)
Nice most recent episode of fully charged.