The Car Thread

[Wolf Hunting]

Its not a shield, its lots of small directional lights, called matrix lights, which can be individually turned on and off. It was included as standard in my VW.

Oh right, as it was a pitch dark road, you could see clearly the lights being shielded slowly from right to left.
Or as you say, all the lights turning away from the that side of the road. Brilliant!!
If every car had that it would be fantastic!

 

[broughtonwolf]

Thoughts on proposed new car tax ?

Confirmed: Pay-per-mile tax to be announced for EV drivers in this month's Budget

A new pay-per-mile tax for electric car drivers will be announced in this month’s Budget in an attempt to offset fuel duty losses

www.whatcar.com

On one hand its inevitable and i think overall reasonable ro expect all road users to contribute. An EV still wears the road, regardless of emissions.

On the other hand i am currently pondering making the switch via salary sacrifice so therefore grossly unfair!

 

[Tredman]

It's all based on some report from September which the telegraph reported about on Wednesday. Very much doubt it will happen this budget, only reason government havent shut it down is they are probably interested in the reception.

It's probably the sensible thing to do, but only if it applies to all vehicles...

 

[leedswolf]

On one hand its inevitable and i think overall reasonable ro expect all road users to contribute. An EV still wears the road, regardless of emissions.

If introduced the increase in revenue will just go to the Exchequer....

 

[leedswolf]

BTW leeds city council has sold the registration plate which was assigned to the mayor's vehicle. The reg is U1. The price £750k!!!!

 

[leedswolf]

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/yangwang/u9/first-drive?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=null&fbclid=IwT01FWAN-0IpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR68Fm2eSS2OO4irTtr8SUaJlGCZ-3BEVZjUMBKPTZ2Ihqjy4E4uosK1US77uQ_aem_yJPrbT_G1QeYHIvcu_GV6w

 

[EpsomWolf]

Trying not to get further drawn into the tired pro/anti EV debate, but the BBC InDepth COP30 article today resonated with Harry Metcalfe’s assessment and overview of the motoring industry chaos a few weeks ago.

Essentially there’s a growing acceptance China already has complete control over the green energy battlefield with the economic battles themselves already won, and attempts at turning that around would appear to be futile. Looks very much like some of the traditional western powerhouses are prepared to change direction now in order to protect their own economic interests, with negative environmental consequences and yet more dilemmas for motorists trying to work their way through the transitional mess.

Harry’s video, interesting stuff whichever side you sit:

And the Beeb’s InDepth:

Do UN climate talks have a point any more?

The US president is notably absent from these UN climate talks, as are other world leaders, all of which prompts questions about the purpose of COP today.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[AndyWolves]

I think at some point the economic reality of using diminishing resources will start to bite, and decisions being made now will have significant impacts now on economic clients in the not too distant future.

 

[EpsomWolf]

So the congestion charge exception for EV’s is to stop on 2nd January. 25% discount to be offered initially before being phased out altogether, while at the same time the daily charge is increasing from £15 to £18.

That’s what happens when they disguise the cash cow in a flip-flopping narrative between clean air and congestion and in the end money talks.

Sadiq Khan confirms EVs will lose congestion charge exemption in January

The congestion charge, introduced in 2003, covers an area of Central London at certain times

www.mylondon.news

 

[Tredman]

It's a congestion charge. Not sure why they were ever exempt

Much as the older generation hate it, EVs are becoming more and more common. People need to stop creating some pathetic culture war around something which is better to drive and better for the environment.

 

[EpsomWolf]

Oh I think they’re great, the more the merrier. Who wouldn’t prefer the silence over a queue of clattery diesels and who wants to breathe the smoke in too.

EV’s are increasing in numbers but nowhere near the targets they need to be and that’s opening the choice back up again as money begins to talk with ICE’s back on the table, and personally the choice is still pretty important to me.

The removal of EV concessions was always going to happen and unfortunately the targets are increasingly looking like a pipe dream.

 

[Tredman]

Yep, sales are really tanking. That huge growth is something all suppliers really don't like.

How many EVs are there in the UK - EV market statistics 2024 - Zapmap

Find out how many electric vehicles there are in the UK, from pure-electric cars to PHEVs and electric vans.

www.zap-map.com

 

[EpsomWolf]

Noone said they are tanking, just nowhere near the intended targets. Huge growth or missing targets, you can have both.

 

[Tredman]

What targets?

 

[broughtonwolf]

It's a congestion charge. Not sure why they were ever exempt

Because they were positioned as not polluting and therefore somehow exempt from charges. Likewise uptake has largely driven by tax breaks, grants and free chargers, not (for many) by any overriding concern for environmental sustainability.

 

[broughtonwolf]

What targets?

No new ICE by 2030?

I'm not picking a fight and am considering seriously about swapping to electric but everything about ev roll out , uptake, urban connectivity, transportation generally in this country is muddled thinking and that's not party political.

 

[PuntsWolf]

My dads about to spend £45k on a diesel X4 which has done about 7k miles as struggling to get in/out a 3 series.

I was like “why you buying a diesel, you’re retired now”. Came out with some nonsense about residuals, depreciation, worried about battery because If that goes it’s a write off etc.

Went and looked and in 30 seconds saw an iX3 in BMW Wolverhampton for half the price with only 25k on the clock. “Don’t want something more than 2 years old”. They don’t break! They all come with 100k battery warranties, it can’t really depreciate much more…

Still wasn’t convinced. Can take a horse to water…

 

[Tredman]

No new ICE by 2030?

I'm not picking a fight and am considering seriously about swapping to electric but everything about ev roll out , uptake, urban connectivity, transportation generally in this country is muddled thinking and that's not party political.

That's not a target though, it's a mandate.

If you can, hire one or borrow one for a week. It's remarkably easy now, there are a phenomenal number of rapid charging hubs around the UK and it's growing every day.

 

[PuntsWolf]

I’ll never go back. Pisses me off when I’m in the quashqai and it tells me I’ve got to go out my way to stand outside for a few mins and part with £80

 

[Wolftone]

It's a congestion charge. Not sure why they were ever exempt

Much as the older generation hate it, EVs are becoming more and more common. People need to stop creating some pathetic culture war around something which is better to drive and better for the environment.

And quicker to become obsolete. Disposable, throwaway society.
Ask any breakdown truck driver.
View any car auctions.