Electric car grants ‘subsidising wealthy buyers’

Drivers’ Protest Union

ABD are spot on. For a start the premise that CO2 is a problem – we are currently at the low end in PPM, much lower and we would all die, and life was very pleasant at about 4 times the level, is really picking the battle ground on this. So ABD are correct to note that for a start.

But then what about the CO2 from electricity production?

No-one yet has mastered perpetual motion so you cannot get anything for nothing. But the cost is not considering maintenance and life span before motors and batteries need replacing either.

So Ok, like today’s car, the wealthy can replace them every couple of years, but how will they stand up when the single mum is trying to manage on an old one?

When will green people understand than no-one is driving just for kicks; it’s part of the economy. This is another idea of the anti people people, and of course the vested interested profiteers who don’t give a damn about any thing else but money.

June 14, 2011

Alex Kovnat

I have heard and read claims that buildup of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is not causing global warming. Well and good, but I am still worried that there may be other environmental show-stopper issues related to CO2, and there may still be a legitimate, redeeming environmental need for mankind to reduce CO2 emissions.

What I favor therefore is, a tax – as heavy as needed – on all fossil fuels in proportion to carbon content. The idea here is to incentivize people to use their ingenuity to reduce fossil fuel consumption. That means less driving, not just smaller cars. And, reducing all fossil fuel use, not just in motor vehicles.

I believe a tax on fossil fuels will incentivize all of us to use our ingenuity to bring about the greatest reduction in fossil fuel use (hence also, the greatest reduction in CO2 discharge into our atmosphere) in proportion to cost and inconvenience.

June 15, 2011

Alex Beaudet

What is it with all these armchair analysts who keep on asking the same question, “what about the CO2 from electricity production”? What, do you think that the hundreds of scientists, entrepreneurs and policymakers that are promoting electric vehicles have somehow “omitted” to consider this factor? Do you think we are so blinded by our faith that we would ignore one of the most obvious characteristics of electric vehicles? Well, the truth is that there are hundreds of reports, so called “well-to-wheel” studies, that show that EVs do have a significant impact on carbon emission — yes, even when electricity is considered
Furthermore, I think the government needs to remind everyone that this isn’t only about climate change. The US, no great chamption of climate change abatement, is much more aggressive at promoting EVs. Why? Because it supports a transition away from oil, and hence limits the risk of severe economic and potentially military conflicts over what is left in terms of oil.
Finally, the government also needs to emphasise that EVs produce no tailpipe emissions. That is why California has been promoting them since the 1990s. LPG vehicles are a good way of reducing CO2 emissions and saving oil, but they still have emissions.
EVs thus give us greater air quality, long-term energy security, and a significant (if sometimes exaggerated) contribution to climate change abatement.

June 17, 2011

Simon Arundel

The point of these subsidies is simply to give a kick start to the take up of EVs which in turn will lead to broader acceptance and then economies of scale in production. If that means only the wealthy can afford them to start with then so what? Should government stop trying to improve the quality of life for all out of fear of being too kind to one section of society over another? ABD should read the science and perhaps encourage take up of EVs with the recommendation that owners charge up with renewable energy to maximise the speed and effectiveness of the transition to a fossil fuel free economy. Luddites!

June 21, 2011

Dave Nunn

There is a compeling arguement for being efficient in our use of energy resources.
However we seem to be driven by poor engineering, scientific and political judgement to achieve that in the UK.
Without subsidy wind is a none starter. We all end up paying for something that is useless. Result high energy bills, little to do with the oil/gas market.
Nuclear please,the French seem to have grasped the concept with excellent political and commercial reward.
EVs cannot work even in an unnecessary low carbon dioxide budget. Battery technology prevents that. The last time I looked the chemistry/physics implied a lot of imported rare earth substances shipped in diesel consuming ships.
How do you recycle a degenerative EV battery? At high expense of course. Go measure it’s real impact.
I’m no luddite. I make a living out of developing new technology.
The luddites will be those post graduates flipping burgers.

June 23, 2011

mary

My husband converted his Ford probe to electric and so far has spent 2 lots of £200 for recycled batteries. They don’t last long and they don’t give him a very good range enough to get to work, 9 miles round trip but can’t really use it for longer distances. What he really would like is 80 to 100 mile radius which he would get with lithum batteries, however after spending 7k to convert the car we dont have another 7k to buy the batteries that it actually needs. Really hacked off that he can’t get any help with this, he is trying to do the right thing but is getting disheartened. I can understand the government not wanting to give joe public money to convert their cars as well, it’s not somthing everyone can do. My hubby managed it as he’s an engineer and a clever one at that, but I realise people could just ask for the money and then give up and use the money for somthing else. But it would be good if once you have converted your car and had it approved, like my hubby did, then they could give you a grant to cover a lot of what you have done. Buying an electric car is just adding another car to the roads. My hubby converted a car that was already on the road, is that not helping more? I’ve added my hubby’s website. My husband also tried to get a grant through our local MP, however the government wasn’t interested and that really sucks, especailly if there is a lot of grant money for electric cars sitting there doing nothing.

March 18, 2012