So playmates, what do you think of Boris's announcement of juice-powered cars production ending in 2030 with hybrids ceasing five years later? Not only has the global motor industry had its biggest kick in the nuts thanks to Covid - not to mention every other business - but the automotive futures goalposts have been moved once again thanks to political meddling. Don't get me wrong, I agree that environmental matters are serious enough to warrant major changes, but nine years to effectively have an infrastructure fully in place to operate electric vehicles? Why are we obsessed with electric cars? They lack soul, make noises like an old Ferguson VHS on fast-forward, still lack a credible range and apples for apples - cost a sodding fortune. I have some good friends and contacts who work for the worlds biggest diesel engine manufacturer that tell me the potential is there, albeit with a little more development, to drive down the tailpipe toxins even further than the best of the current crop todays makers produce. Of course, the advent of zero emissions doesn't mean the total end of the four-stroke combustion engine nor the sale of petrol or diesel cars. Only the production of them will cease, petrol and diesel fuel will continue for years to come. To find a dependable replacement however, there's some work to do and just nine years to do it in.
展开▼
