Toadshall
New Member
Bureaucrats are hell-bent on reducing car emissions to the point of absurdity, and in the process forcing manufacturers to produce marginally reliable cars that are expensive to fully develop/test and for the owner to maintain/repair. Toyota and Honda are recent casualties in this process which is of marginal benefit for consumers. They are motivated and encouraged by the EU and central government, eager to reduce emissions associated with global warming
It is clear that running an older low technology car for a long time, even with its greater VED, makes economic sense, as the high cost of maintaining modern cars and their emission systems greatly exceeds the reduced VED benefit, and the financial loss each time a new car is purchased. The carbon cost of manufacturing a car and the eventual carbon cost of destroying it, greatly exceed the emissions saved during its life by way of its complex emissions control gear, assuming a car has a shelf life of seven years.
Governments have a conflict of interest by wishing to grow our national economy, eg by promoting Industrial growth, consumerism etc whilst promoting ever greener credentials. The by product of Industrial growth is raised carbon output, directly and indirectly, no matter how tightly controlled.
I wish to contribute to a lower carbon economy, but in a well considered and cost effective manner. Domestic and industrial waste needs to be reduced for example, which in effect means a reduction in our consumer economy. Let us also not forget that the principle source of CO2 in the world is by mammalian respiration, which I mention with a certain irony.
I own two cars, a 2001 Mercedes and a 1990 Astra SRI, both well maintained, but which add CO2 to the environment. I fervently believe that promoting lower levels of emissions control, and as a by-product, owners feeling more comfortable to keep simpler, more reliable technology for much longer, A huge improvement in reducing car emissions could be achieved. That of course would not be in the governments "tax take" or "economic growth" interest.
Lastly, may I remind everyone that the current Icelandic volcanic eruption has wiped out a decade of the worlds attempts to reduce harmful gas emissions by whatever means available to mankind.
Regards to All,
Toadshall
It is clear that running an older low technology car for a long time, even with its greater VED, makes economic sense, as the high cost of maintaining modern cars and their emission systems greatly exceeds the reduced VED benefit, and the financial loss each time a new car is purchased. The carbon cost of manufacturing a car and the eventual carbon cost of destroying it, greatly exceed the emissions saved during its life by way of its complex emissions control gear, assuming a car has a shelf life of seven years.
Governments have a conflict of interest by wishing to grow our national economy, eg by promoting Industrial growth, consumerism etc whilst promoting ever greener credentials. The by product of Industrial growth is raised carbon output, directly and indirectly, no matter how tightly controlled.
I wish to contribute to a lower carbon economy, but in a well considered and cost effective manner. Domestic and industrial waste needs to be reduced for example, which in effect means a reduction in our consumer economy. Let us also not forget that the principle source of CO2 in the world is by mammalian respiration, which I mention with a certain irony.
I own two cars, a 2001 Mercedes and a 1990 Astra SRI, both well maintained, but which add CO2 to the environment. I fervently believe that promoting lower levels of emissions control, and as a by-product, owners feeling more comfortable to keep simpler, more reliable technology for much longer, A huge improvement in reducing car emissions could be achieved. That of course would not be in the governments "tax take" or "economic growth" interest.
Lastly, may I remind everyone that the current Icelandic volcanic eruption has wiped out a decade of the worlds attempts to reduce harmful gas emissions by whatever means available to mankind.
Regards to All,
Toadshall
