Topic ID 4332
Having been following the news this week regarding the Government Green Car Incentive and its got me thinking. Whilst I'd be happy to convert to an electric car when they start looking desirable and match the performance of petrol/diesel cars but does anyone know if, when and where Hertford will be installing recharge points as I don't have the privilege of a driveway or be able to park outside my front door to use an extension lead. What do others think or know?
Reply ID 62735
I shouldn't worry about it too much. Like all motoring "Green" incentives so far, the object of the excercise is to encourage us to buy new cars, whereas the simplest environmental contribution anyone can make is to buy less new stuff. You won't see any government encouraging that. It's likely the technology will be obsolete by the time the infrastructure is even half installed. Run your old car into the ground, or repair with recycled parts from eBay or scrap yards. It's a greener policy than anything else currently on offer.
Reply ID 62736
quote:Exactly! The cars that are considered greener in real terms are the ones that last the longest........
Originally posted by shunt
I shouldn't worry about it too much. Like all motoring "Green" incentives so far, the object of the excercise is to encourage us to buy new cars, whereas the simplest environmental contribution anyone can make is to buy less new stuff. You won't see any government encouraging that. It's likely the technology will be obsolete by the time the infrastructure is even half installed. Run your old car into the ground, or repair with recycled parts from eBay or scrap yards. It's a greener policy than anything else currently on offer.
Reply ID 62737
Surely to use an electric car you need to create electricity which is likely to come from a rather large polluter in the form of the fossil fuel burning, carbon producing power station.
Reply ID 62738
quote:Indeed you do. What's more, they are so heavy that you use plenty of it. Even hybrids suffer from that problem. The Toyota is beaten on economy by several ordinary diesels and only does as well as it does because of such things as "special" tyres, which have the effect of causing it to handle like a 1938 Austin. Toyota still refuse to publish the manufacturing footprint. What's certain is that it probably is pretty expensive (environmentally) to make.
Originally posted by Muppet
Surely to use an electric car you need to create electricity which is likely to come from a rather large polluter in the form of the fossil fuel burning, carbon producing power station.
Reply ID 62740
The electric cars currently available don't qualify. Funny that. The subsidy is due to be phased in in the next few years....oh, after an election the current mob have no chance of winning. The cars it WILL apply to are still years away. As usual, headline grabbing nonsense to divert attention from their troubles elsewhere.
Reply ID 62741
quote:Thats good to know so my R reg is quite green really!
Originally posted by Mr fixitquote:Exactly! The cars that are considered greener in real terms are the ones that last the longest........
Originally posted by shunt
I shouldn't worry about it too much. Like all motoring "Green" incentives so far, the object of the excercise is to encourage us to buy new cars, whereas the simplest environmental contribution anyone can make is to buy less new stuff. You won't see any government encouraging that. It's likely the technology will be obsolete by the time the infrastructure is even half installed. Run your old car into the ground, or repair with recycled parts from eBay or scrap yards. It's a greener policy than anything else currently on offer.
Reply ID 62745
It will be interesting to see how people who live in flats charge up their cars. It's not like a petrol pump where you fuel up in a couple of minutes - you will need to leave your car on charge for a few hours. Anyone fancy leaving their car unattended whilst "re-fuelling" for this length of time? The process of generating electricity and storing it in batteries is also very inefficient. Electric cars will move the carbon from the streets to the power stations - just as much of the stuff but in a different place. The streets will be rid of noxious fumes but then we have to decide what to do with all of the lead, acid and lithium from the old batteries. We are also heading back to the 1970s with existing electricity generating plants clsoing down before new ones will be finished. Remember those power cuts? There are talks of two massive ship-board generators being anchored on the Thames to ensure that there is enough of the stuff of for the 2012 Olympics. What comes first - heating & lighting your home or filling up your car - you decide? If I buy a leccy car I'm going to make sure I never run out of electricity by buying my own petrol generator and keeping it in the boot of the car!
Reply ID 62752
quote:[:D][:D] Or become a hamster breeder and fix a giant exercise cage on the roof of your car, though they have the drawback of offering night journeys only.
Originally posted by JohnSmith
If I buy a leccy car I'm going to make sure I never run out of electricity by buying my own petrol generator and keeping it in the boot of the car!
Reply ID 62753
quote:Easy to tune such a vehicle for daytime use by fitting a second larger wheel containing cats and for those interested in drag racing, a third wheel with a group of terriers.
Originally posted by Woodyquote:[:D][:D] Or become a hamster breeder and fix a giant exercise cage on the roof of your car, though they have the drawback of offering night journeys only.
Originally posted by JohnSmith
If I buy a leccy car I'm going to make sure I never run out of electricity by buying my own petrol generator and keeping it in the boot of the car!
Reply ID 62754
I need to swap my car for a newer one - company car policy. Or should I just start commuting in a paraglider?
Reply ID 62755
We have a green car but thats due to the moss growing on the window seals. We also have a newly evolved eco system growing inside. So Mr Brown, can I claim my £5000 now please?
Reply ID 62756
How about making roads safer for cyclists and then giving people an incentive to buy a bike? Now that WOULD make sense.
Reply ID 62757
dennis - isnt that just what they've announced? New offence of driving too close to a cyclist, more enforced 20mph limits in town and 50mph on country roads... Thats all good for cyclists!
Reply ID 62758
quote:That can't and won't be enforced. There aren't any police on the roads anymore, replaced by speed cameras. How many people do you still see on the phone while driving?
Originally posted by codek2
dennis - isnt that just what they've announced? New offence of driving too close to a cyclist, more enforced 20mph limits in town and 50mph on country roads... Thats all good for cyclists!
Reply ID 62760
only reporting what was only on the news today! It struck me as surprising policy - i'd have thought they had their hands full with other things at the moment. They are also looking at using specs average speed cameras between all towns - they wont need police on the street to enforce it then.
Reply ID 62761
Yet just as many accidents will occur. Speed cameras disgust me, they don't catch people that drive poorly, or are drunk out of their minds. Only those that venture over the limit. I do about 3000 miles a year so I don't spend that much time in the car, yet every time I do I'm made angry by the amount of cretins that simply cannot drive at all.
Reply ID 62762
quote:When things need to be slipped by the electorate, all governments turn to pandering to fringe pressure groups, in the hope of distracting attention from their own agenda. Some of our most wasteful and least researched laws have been made this way.[V]
Originally posted by codek2
only reporting what was only on the news today! It struck me as surprising policy - i'd have thought they had their hands full with other things at the moment. They are also looking at using specs average speed cameras between all towns - they wont need police on the street to enforce it then.
Reply ID 62766
Where's the local angle here?
Reply ID 62770
quote:The first post I asked if/where and when in Hertford recharge points will be installed
Originally posted by Admin
Where's the local angle here?
Reply ID 62775
quote:It's unlikely to get to Hertford in the near future, if at all. There is still no coherent plan for anywhere.
Originally posted by Firedupinsidequote:The first post I asked if/where and when in Hertford recharge points will be installed
Originally posted by Admin
Where's the local angle here?
Reply ID 62777
EHDC might put some recharge points in their car parks.....for a fee of course.
Reply ID 62778
quote:Absolutely. You are the only person who actually focussed on the local aspect [:)]
Originally posted by Firedupinsidequote:The first post I asked if/where and when in Hertford recharge points will be installed
Originally posted by Admin
Where's the local angle here?
Reply ID 62779
quote:Where and when in Hertford is entirely dependant on the state of play nationally and internationally. I've no doubt that, if given a budget, local government will spend it, but we are a way off that yet.
Originally posted by Adminquote:Absolutely. You are the only person who actually focussed on the local aspect [:)]
Originally posted by Firedupinsidequote:The first post I asked if/where and when in Hertford recharge points will be installed
Originally posted by Admin
Where's the local angle here?
Reply ID 62782
Maybe each car should be sold with a wind turbine................then they would not just be threatened in Bennington but everywhere. Now theres a thought................. can't say I have ever noticed charging points, is there one at the Esso garage?
Reply ID 62784
quote:Not at Esso but there is one in the BP at Rush Green. Luckily they have the McDonalds up there so you can buy yourself a nice eco-friendly meal to help pass the two hours or so that it will take to charge up your car [;)]
Originally posted by Marilyn
can't say I have ever noticed charging points, is there one at the Esso garage?
Reply ID 62788
quote:Careful that you don't overstay your 2hrs free parking there though otherwise you'll get a nice brown envelope through the post with a parking penalty [:D]
Originally posted by JohnSmithquote:Not at Esso but there is one in the BP at Rush Green. Luckily they have the McDonalds up there so you can buy yourself a nice eco-friendly meal to help pass the two hours or so that it will take to charge up your car [;)]
Originally posted by Marilyn
can't say I have ever noticed charging points, is there one at the Esso garage?