New diesel and petrol car sales continue to slump

The UK car sales figures for the first two months of 2021 show a large fall of 87,000 vehicles. The industry is ascribing this to CV 19 and the closure of car showrooms. Doubtless there was a CV 19 effect. There was also an on line market people could use, and we did see a rise in the sales of all types of hybrid and electric vehicles over these two months despite closed showrooms and no demonstration drives. You would think it would be the new types of vehicles which would most need display in physical showrooms and demos to persuade people to buy them. The fall in sales of diesel and petrol cars was 96,000, offset a little by the 9,000 extra sales of hybrids and electric cars. The fact that it was cars we knew well that suffered the sales fall implies there is more to this than the anti pandemic measures.

The industry should worry that more of the fall is about the big structural change required by government to move people away from diesel and petrol vehicles. The combination of high new car taxes and the strong pressures not to buy new petrol and diesel cars is damaging volumes considerably. The UK invested billions to be a great centre for diesel engines and diesel cars and now faces a very sharp and severe contraction in this market. Why doesn’t the industry acknowledge this problem and talk about it more? Should this transition be slowed or eased in some way? Do new car taxes have to stay so high?

One of the issues being debated is the question of how much extra carbon dioxide is generated by a society going for a shorter working life for cars and more frequent replacement by new vehicles, even where the operating performance of the new vehicle is more fuel efficient. High new car taxes allied to anti diesel and anti petrol car policies may perversely persuade more people to prolong the lives of their traditional vehicles and hold back from buying new. If battery electric vehicles are bought more by the rich and urban dwellers who use them for short journeys or as second cars they will not deliver the environmental benefits their advocates seek.

Why is it that so many people claiming to be friends of the car industry spent several years telling us to worry about the impact on sales of a possible 10% EU tariff which did not materialise, but they are now silent about a far bigger collapse in sales than they forecast as a result of various governments’ policies to end the sales of new diesel and petrol cars in a few years time?

249 Comments

  1. Ian Wragg
    April 7, 2021

    The law of unintended consequences.
    Vilifying drivers of petrol and diesel cars, ruinous taxes on new vehicles and bans from city centres, say no more.
    Shutting down perfectly good coal fired power stations and watching the equipment be shipped over to Germany.
    Relying on imported power from hostile states , just when are you going to waken up.
    Slow destruction of the country so you can build back better isn’t going to happen.
    God save us from lefty politicians.

    1. Lifelogic
      April 7, 2021

      Well electric cars are very expensive and impractical (especially if you have no where to park them) & usually inferior to a second hand jalopy that you can buy for under ÂŁ1000 or have one already. Plus why buy a new diesel, petrol or hybrid if it will soon be banned (or road taxed) out of use by Khan. Best stick with your much cheaper and perfectly functional jalopy for now (with its long range, towing ability and refill in 2 mins). Anyway a new electric car might need to do 100,000 miles plus before it even saves any CO2 after manufacturing and then only if charges using low carbon electricity (and this will not happen).

      The whole thing is driven by government insanity. It is also political suicide, the poll tax on steroids.

      1. Iain Moore
        April 7, 2021

        I gather the carbon footprint of an electric car only betters that of an modern diesel after 7 to 9 years of use.

        1. Lifelogic
          April 9, 2021

          Indeed and only then if they are charged using low carbon electricity (almost all will not be). They will also probably need a new battery before that time has passed.

      2. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        The whole thing is driven by government insanity. It is also political suicide, the poll tax on steroids.

        It will be interesting to see what happens in, say, 2040 when all the diesel and petrol cars are gone, second-hand electric cars are useless because of the cost of batteries and half the country can no longer have a car. Who will they blame? The Tories?

        1. NickC
          April 7, 2021

          And no extra electricity to fuel the battery electric cars, Mike.

        2. Ed M
          April 8, 2021

          Science is INCREDIBLE. With the right spirit of scientific endeavour we can have vehicles that don’t damage the environment, are fast and efficient and powerful, beautiful to look at, and that add lots of great jobs and money to the economy.
          The Almighty wants us to ENJOY and be MASTERS / STEWARDS of this world but in the right way. No wonder so many of the greatest scientists were devout Christians (Sir Isaac Newton, Faraday and others), the greatest musicians (Bach, Mozart and others), the greatest people in business (the Quakers, the medieval Catholic guilds, and so on including Protestant work ethic), and Shakespeare revealed more, to a degree, of this Judaeo-Christian / (and best) of Greco-Roman vision of science mixed with beauty in The Tempest and what happens when we get it right: we return more to the world of The Garden of Eden before original sin / a foretaste of the glorified Earth (please God for us all) to come at the end of time.
          We need to return to the fundamentals of the Judaeo-Christian / (and best of) the Greco-Roman vision / world instead of spiralling more and more out of control into the postmodernist, chaotic world here in the West.

    2. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      Unintended consequences my arse, this green government knew exactly what the consequences would be !

      1. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        Unintended consequences my arse, this green government knew exactly what the consequences would be !

        I have to admit to voting Green because I cannot stand the Tories, Labour or LibDems. And, of course, my vote is wasted as there is as much chance of a Green MP where I live as there is of a donkey with a blue rosette on getting elected. Oh no, that’s not right – a donkey with a blue rosette would get elected.

        Anyway, talk about the law of unintended consequences – or something like that. I vote Green in the sure and certain knowledge of not getting a Green government when, abracadabra, I get a Green government. A cunning stunt, I’d say.

        1. glen cullen
          April 7, 2021

          Cunning indeed, I’ll try that neat trick myself

    3. Hope
      April 7, 2021

      8,000 tourists entering the country each day, but travel abroad banned!! Science my arse. There is No climate emergency or crisis just stupidity.

      All the blogs use the word government. No Tory party.

      3,000 council bosses on more than ÂŁ100,000. Some on 200,000 and one I read was nearly on 400,000! What on earth is going on!! Vote with your feet in May.

      1. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        Vote with your feet in May.

        For whom?

        1. turboterrier
          April 7, 2021

          Mike Wilson

          Reform party just to register your disgust at what we have at the moment.
          It’s the only weapon we have against them.

        2. Hope
          April 7, 2021

          Anyone but a Tory. Vote independent. When May was PM she got the message from local elections then EU elections that should not have been!

          1. Mark B
            April 8, 2021

            And not to forget the GE that should never have been.

      2. GaryK
        April 7, 2021

        With the tens of thousands of ex-pats being deported from Spain because the have not got residency and have overstayed I think these council bosses might have their work cut out yet

    4. agricola
      April 7, 2021

      Ian, it does not matter if they are left right or centre, they are just excruciatingly and wontanly incompetent.

    5. The Prangwizard
      April 7, 2021

      It’s the Tories doing all this. This needs to be recognised. I am not a Labour member or supporter but the Tories are now fake. Many will accept anything, any abuse, yet stick with them.

      1. Mark B
        April 8, 2021

        +1

    6. MiC
      April 7, 2021

      Who, amongst Labour MPs, has “vilified” such drivers? Come on?

      What a silly accusation to make.

      The Ultra Low Emissions Zone in London was the idea of one Alexander Johnson when mayor.

      1. NickC
        April 7, 2021

        Martin, The entire greenliblabcon party is opposed to affordable car ownership.

      2. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        Let’s give him his full name – Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson. And let us remember he was born in the USA. But not in a Bruce Springsteen way.

        1. MiC
          April 8, 2021

          Hmm – and when was he Labour?

  2. No Longer Anonymous
    April 7, 2021

    The reasons for the fall in ICE cars and the (slight) rise in electric sales are very simple.

    Show rooms ARE affected by social distancing and masks (as are all physical sales.)

    Working From Home has led to a minority of smugs with cash to spare who don’t need serious performance from their cars and can afford to splash out on something which is still experimental.

    Why are we even discussing this ?

    SAGE are into Boris again. Despite the vaccine success (and its huge expense) we are to be kept in demi-lockdown.

    Virtually everyone I know is saying that after the second jab they are going to ignore the Government and the police.

    Why are you still in this party ?

    1. jerry
      April 7, 2021

      @NLA; “Working From Home has led to a minority of smugs with cash to spare who don’t need serious performance from their cars and can afford to splash out on something which is still experimental. “

      Tell me, who actually needs “serious performance” from their road cars, outside of the emergency & security services plus some very select VIPs (for security reasons), I truly wonder just who are being “Smug” here, but then I’m just a petrol-head who got my thrills working within high performance motor sport!..

      98% of the public motoring simply need to get from A to B, in a known time, not the fastest time.

      1. No Longer Anonymous
        April 7, 2021

        By serious performance I meant being able to tow a trailer, re-fuel in short time and anywhere, lug a load of refuse to the dump. That sort of thing.

      2. Alan Jutson
        April 7, 2021

        We drive down to the south of France most years, how long would this take in an electric vehicle capable of carrying four people and all their luggage. ?

        About 900 miles, how many stops and charge ups ?
        We would probably spend as much time standing still and charging up as we would driving !

        In an ICE vehicle it’s one refuel stop for 10 mins.

        1. jerry
          April 8, 2021

          @Alan Jutson; You do not say which part of southern France, ever thought of travelling by the excellent French TGV or perhaps the French equivalent of the Motorail, or if you own a suitable property, do as we did (in Spain), buy a ‘second’ car for your locality. Otherwise perhaps those air-ferry services might make a come back?

          Don’t misunderstand me, I do not like EVs, but change is coming whether we like it or not! Many of the issues people opposed to EVs come out with are not so much problems, just simply an unwillingness to change engrained ways, or to accept the days of near immediate gratification are over. If you insist on driving, indeed you might well end up spending as much time standing still and charging up as we would driving.

          1. Alan Jutson
            April 8, 2021

            Jerry
            Close to Bezier’s, no not our property, we simply rent it !
            4 people in a car much more economic than taxi then train or air, then car rental.
            No problem with carrying luggage either, simple door – door trip.

            Usually have one overnight stop, but no charging points around in 2019 in any of the hotel complexes for electric cars.
            Decades ago when going down to the Cote D’Azure we used to put the car on the Motorail on the return journey (low season) and that was reasonable, but no longer running and not near to where we want to go.

            Had a touring train holiday in Switzerland a few years ago, and that was excellent.

    2. Hope
      April 7, 2021

      NLA,
      Read extract of the interview of Dr Mike Yeadon in con woman today. A very well qualified expert. He is absolutely convinced the Tory govt is lying to the nation on COVID, PCR testing and “vaccines” which are really experimental medical treatments.

      Suggest JR read it and explain to us why his govt continues with this deceit and madness. Explain to us why 8,000 tourists allowed in the country each day, even large numbers of French hauliers on a daily basis allowed in Without testing! But no one from UK allowed to travel abroad, including those who had Chinese virus and “vaccinated”!

      JR might like to attempt to tell us why Proven Prophylactic treatments have been discarded for over a year, why?

      Davos and the WEF and their wretched great reset perhaps? Climate change rot? Why is Johnson allowed to destroy thousands of businesses and millions of jobs without good reason? JR, please tell us. Why is Johnson deliberately destroying the aviation industry as well as car industry? For his mistress?

    3. MiC
      April 7, 2021

      Yes, I think that the buyers of electric vehicles are perhaps of a typically different profile from that of ICE purchasers, so the stats under lockdown conditions tell us little.

      You can caricature them as evidently pleases you.

      I’ll probably buy another diesel and hope that electric cars improve in both performance and value over the next few years.

      However, ONE thing that I absolutely will not miss is the petrol/diesel Engine Management Computer, which puts the car into Limp Mode at the slightest excuse, and which it is beyond nearly all garage technicians to diagnose correctly i.e. to distinguish between a genuine mechanical cause and a sensor/software malfunction.

      1. No Longer Anonymous
        April 7, 2021

        Agreed on limp mode.

        In many ways I preferred cars that I could repair myself by the roadside.

        1. MiC
          April 7, 2021

          We have the worst of all worlds now.

          For a time cars hardly broke down.

          Now they do, because the computer wrongly thinks that it has done, owing to its own faults – either electronic, software – or in the duff data supplied by malfunctioning sensors.

          You can’t fix them yourself, but neither can your typical garage. Their diagnostic equipment assumes too many things.

          They just do a reset and change some part or other pointlessly, and then the fault reappears when you’re in the outside lane on a “smart” motorway.

          An electric motor does not require all this sensor-driven complexity to control it.

          1. NickC
            April 7, 2021

            Martin, BEVs (like Teslas) are even more complex than modern ICE only cars.

        2. Lester
          April 7, 2021

          NLA
          I still have one.. a 1993 Peugeot 306 diesel turbo, 190.000 miles, completely reliable , always starts.. what more could I ask for?
          I also have a 2001 Audi TT but that’s a different story

        3. Lester
          April 7, 2021

          NLA
          I still have one.. a 1993 Pe u g e o t diesel turbo, 190.000 miles, completely reliable , always starts.. what more could I ask for

      2. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        However, ONE thing that I absolutely will not miss is the petrol/diesel Engine Management Computer, which puts the car into Limp Mode at the slightest excuse, and which it is beyond nearly all garage technicians to diagnose correctly i.e. to distinguish between a genuine mechanical cause and a sensor/software malfunction.

        What make and model of car do you have? I drive a (British made) Toyota Avensis estate – 1.8 petrol engine, auto box. Fabulous car. So easy to drive. Never heard it change gear yet.

        1. MiC
          April 7, 2021

          A 2012 Volvo.

    4. Mark B
      April 8, 2021

      As stated here before, I want to get a new car but cannot get a test drive. Why buy something like that without seeing and trying it first ? Hence why I have delayed my decision until later in the year.

  3. DOM
    April 7, 2021

    The issue at stake is not the purpose of motor vehicles nor the sale of motor vehicles

    The madness that we have seen over the last 3-4 years will only end when your party and that stain in opposition are obliterated from our politics. If that doesn’t happen then I believe the UK will become a totalitarian State in under twenty years or so and your party will be too blame

    I am not interested in ICE or E-cars. That is not the issue. We are seeing a realignment of existence that’s not been since 1917 and 1929 and then in 1945 and these changes are being imposed not for any reason to do with the natural environment or protecting valuable natural resources but to re-engineer the very meaning of existence

    1. Bryan Harris
      April 7, 2021

      ++
      Well said.

    2. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      Your underlining assumptions are correct; the path we’re on is leading to authoritarianism government and away from choice and democracy
      We need a political revolution to identify who is actually in power, the people or the state ?

      1. Bryan Harris
        April 7, 2021

        ++

        Neither – It’s the globalist elite

    3. jerry
      April 7, 2021

      @DOM; “I believe the UK will become a totalitarian State in under twenty years”

      Believe or want, your every rant suggests you do not believe in democracy, it’s your way or no way, all the way….

      1. MiC
        April 7, 2021

        To the right wing fanatic, power shared is not power at all.

        There is no point in its possession unless you can grind your targets’ faces in the fact that they have not got any whatsoever.

        Such people are not going to be content in anything reasonably described as a civilised society, therefore.

        It’s comical to behold, really.

        1. jerry
          April 7, 2021

          @MiC; Oh the irony… In many ways MiC you are no different, just the opposite swing of the same political pendulum, demanding your way, despite the electorates wishes.

          1. glen cullen
            April 7, 2021

            +1

        2. NickC
          April 7, 2021

          So you’re a right wing fanatic, Martin? Or perhaps the characteristics you list are actually typical of left wing fanatics. As history demonstrates.

        3. Peter2
          April 7, 2021

          You are getting more ridiculous with every post MiC
          The current lust for power is from lefty fanatics.
          They want power without even being voted for.

      2. NickC
        April 7, 2021

        Jerry, My way allows you your way – I’m not stopping you buying a BEV (or paying for the BBC). But your way stops me choosing my way – I don’t want to be forced to have a BEV – which I can’t afford – (or to subsidise the BBC, for your benefit).

        1. jerry
          April 7, 2021

          @NickC; Strange reply, are you also “DOM”?!

    4. Christine
      April 7, 2021

      Well said. Why is it that so many commentators on here can see the direction of travel but our politicians can’t? The only reason I can see is that our politicians are complicit in this agenda, being led like sheep to the slaughter by a few in power. It has been a plan silently delivered over decades. Things will not end well for ordinary people in this country. There is only one solution and that’s to rid ourselves of the main political parties. We were successful in the last European elections, let’s do it again.

      1. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        We were successful in the last European elections, let’s do it again.

        In the elections to the pesky EU, all our votes counted because of the voting system. So, Nigel’s was the biggest party. With our voting system, how on earth can you persuade people to rid ourselves of the main political parties. At the moment the LibDems are in oblivion. Labour are on the way there. This will be a one party state soon.

    5. agricola
      April 7, 2021

      DOM, do you think that they are capable of fulfilling your last sentence, I question their ability to do anything well. If they aimed at and achieved absolute power as did the USSR, they could possibly cover their incompetence for a period. Is it the death of the party system and the dawn of a Parliament of independants who have settled for a bout of public service after a career of success in their chosen field. It should herald the death of the professional politician.

      You condemn the system in your own unique way, what would you like to replace it, hopefully by evolution rather than revolution.

  4. agricola
    April 7, 2021

    The chaos in practice and in thinking can be laid absolutely at the feet of government. Every aspect of what they are forcing on industry and the people of the Uk has been ill thought out. While the desirability of not polluting our environment, which in itself causes disease, is not in dispute, putting its solution in the hands of lobby fodder PPEs and lawyers is as crass as you can get. As with covid, we have people who know how to deal with Internal Combustion Engine pollution. You then have product you can sell to the rest of the world if you so choose, fulfilling the hype of creating a dynamic post Brexit Britain.

  5. No Longer Anonymous
    April 7, 2021

    Lockdown forever ?

    The Tory Party is now the most lethal thing in Britain so why are you still in it ?

    1. Caterpillar
      April 7, 2021

      +1

    2. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      At least the Labour party stab you in the front with its barmy green ideas, this Tory government is stabbing us in the back with deceit and slight of hand social engineering labelled green…….this Tory party is the enemy

    3. Everhopeful
      April 7, 2021

      Maybe people cling to the world they know and love…not thinking of us who have had ours cruelly ripped away?

    4. jerry
      April 7, 2021

      @NLA; A lockdown forever? No, but perhaps a rebalancing of our lifestyle & economic norms, some were going to happen anyway -online shopping, some needed to change -the Treasury’s over reliance on hospitality for tax receipts.

      The most lethal thing in Britain currently are people still in total Covid denial, not the govt nor the Tory party. As for our host, he will pick when to retire, not agitators like you! Just trying to think, when was the last time I heard the ex leader of UKIP (the current leader of Reform?) being interviewed, on the other hand I heard our host on BBC radio 4 only yesterday…

      1. No Longer Anonymous
        April 7, 2021

        The vaccine roll out could not have gone better. In fact it is spectacularly ahead of schedule and in no small part because our people are desperate to get back to normal and are doing their bit – including me, who didn’t want a jab at all but took it for the team.

        It is quite obvious that SAGE are looking for any reason to behave as though the vaccine does not exist. And Boris is obeying SAGE whilst doing his best to gas-light the British public and Sir John as well.

        I am being reasonable when I ask why Sir John is still in this party (I’m not telling him to leave.) It does not accord with his principles.

        You are being unreasonable by calling me an ‘agitator’ for pressing for release to our former freedoms and way of life at the earliest rather than being kept under strict control by an unelected and largely unknown group of officials who seem to be looking for every excuse not to end lockdown.

        1. jerry
          April 8, 2021

          @NLA; ” because our people are desperate to get back to normal”

          No, more likely, they accept the vaccine because they do not want to die or be left with Long Covid…

          “It does not accord with his principles. “

          You’re not telling our host anything, but you then tell him that YOUR principles should be his, doh!

          You are an agitator, for early removal of restrictions, even though very few people under the age of 50 are yet vaccinated, either that or you’re simply clueless when it comes to virology. Strange how some want to pick and choose when experts are acceptable, if the same people in SAGE were telling the govt to unlock, remove all restrictions, no doubt they would have your full support -stop seeing Covid, and SAGE, as political, left vs. right, try understanding the public health issues!

      2. NickC
        April 7, 2021

        So many people “in covid denial” that it’s “lethal”, Jerry? What on earth do you mean? I neither know anyone, nor know of anyone, who “denies” covid19. And if there are a few they have little credibility and no power. “Lethal”? – you are imagining it.

        There are people who are wary of the vaccines (I am one), and who absolutely oppose the untargeted national lockdowns (not least because they don’t work), as I do. But “deny” covid19? – you’re avin a larf, ain’tcha? Please ask yourself why you so often fall for conventional establishment propaganda?

        1. hefner
          April 7, 2021

          Baroness Morrissey? So the House of Lords has no power? Am I imagining that you have just written a bit of tripe?

        2. jerry
          April 8, 2021

          @NickC; “Please ask yourself why you so often fall for conventional establishment propaganda?”

          That sums up your Covid denial, unless it is on YOUR terms, anything else is establishment propaganda -not science, one has to ask do your even know what SAGE is and why its members are on in the group… I remember when the “establishment”, 11 months ago, was telling us to carry on, no need to panic, no they were not going to close the board etc, and many who also subscribe to your train of thought metaphysical cheered, whilst calling Covid nothing but a bad “Flu”.

      3. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        he will pick when to retire, not agitators like you!

        Yes, but if he resigned from the Conservative Party and carried on as an independent, it would cause a much bigger stir than simply waiting for retirement. His voice is not heard at the moment. After retirement he will be a footnote in history that no-one will hear or remember. No offence, Mr. Redwood – it comes to us all.

    5. agricola
      April 7, 2021

      Sadly I do not see any option that is less lethal, mortality comes faster with the alternatives.

      1. No Longer Anonymous
        April 7, 2021

        You do realise they are talking of years of social distancing and face masks as well as passports and weekly testing for everyone. Demi-lockdown ?

    6. BJC
      April 7, 2021

      I’m still trying to understand why the SNP will have a vote on Mr Johnson’s proposals, possibly swinging it in his favour, when they’ll probably be allowed to act independently of the UK government, anyway. We deserve better than having our lives dictated by political power-struggles.

  6. Mark B
    April 7, 2021

    Good morning.

    As I was out shopping yesterday I noticed a vintage Austin Herald in the car park. Small three box shape. What happens to all these wonderful cars when the government finally bans petrol ?

    1. Andy
      April 7, 2021

      It is sales of NEW petrol and diesel cars which are being banned.

      Your classic car is not new. There is no need to get your knickers in a twist about it.

      It will probably be around longer than you.

      1. NickC
        April 7, 2021

        Andy, Are you guaranteeing that the government won’t ban petrol?

        1. glen cullen
          April 7, 2021

          You just had to mention that…..now someone somewhere in parliament is developing your idea – its you fault if it happens

          1. NickC
            April 7, 2021

            Oh dear!

    2. Alan Jutson
      April 7, 2021

      Exactly, Classic car shows no more, value of existing collections ?

      Motoring history now for the museums only.

      Just wait until the new congestion charge hits London in October, given it will cover all areas within the north and south circular. Including the emissions charge it will be ÂŁ30 per day.
      Many other Cities to follow. just imagine being a business just inside the Zone, even if it has its own parking facilities.
      Madness !

    3. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      A Triumph Herald?

      1. Mark B
        April 8, 2021

        I stand corrected.

        Still a lovely little car 🙂

    4. nota#
      April 7, 2021

      @Mark B. Ethanol works well, then the older the more effective it is.

      1. jerry
        April 7, 2021

        @nota#; “Ethanol works well”

        If you mean like E10 petrol you are very mistaken (for pre 1990 vehicles), there is considerable concern in the classic car world at the expected switch to E10 fuel, OE spec components are simply not designed to work safely with such a high level of Ethanol. Very few vehicles, of any age, can use E25 or above fuels.

        The number following the “E” is the percentage of Ethanol in the fuel.

    5. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      Think China or Russia in the 1950s – soon we’ll all be dressed the same, using electric trams, carrying ID papers, eating vegan, listening to the daily brief and voting for the state party
..make my words the 2030 EV transition is just the start

      1. Mike Wilson
        April 8, 2021

        I’ve already made the move to vegan, although it wasn’t at the behest of Johnson.

    6. Everhopeful
      April 7, 2021

      Yes indeed. Won’t disposing of them be a bit polluting?

    7. jerry
      April 7, 2021

      @Mark B; Austin Herald – never heard of it…

      …a (Standard) Triumph Herald perhaps?!

      No one is proposing to ban petrol, but some might ask the same question in a slightly different way; What happens to all these wonderful cars when the oil stops flowing, either because non is left, it becomes uneconomic to extract or impossible to import.

    8. MWB
      April 7, 2021

      Austin Herald ??
      Do you mean Triumph Herald ?

      1. Mark B
        April 8, 2021

        Yes. For some reason I thought, Austin as in Austin Morris.

    9. Ian Wragg
      April 7, 2021

      Over the lockdown I have been restoring a 1964 Triumph Tiger Cub. Being well over 70 ican enjoy riding and looking at a beautiful piece of kit.
      I despair for the coming generations who won’t enjoy the life experience we’ve had.
      This of course could change if we got rid of this bunch of charlatans and had a true government who put the UK first for once.

      1. glen cullen
        April 7, 2021

        Totally Agree

      2. Mark B
        April 8, 2021

        I doff my cap to you sir.

  7. agricola
    April 7, 2021

    Put another way. Government is presented with the problem of covid19. They find that they have failed in the provision of PPE. They realise they have nobody who knows jack s..t about virology. They find people who do, and because they leave it to them solutions are created. For once a politician has the sense to appoint someone who can apply the solution to distributing the solution, a vaccine. Rejoicing all round. The next problem is proving that an individual is safe to travel or mix with other individuals. In march the politicians thinking they know something about this, but almost instantly prove they know jack s..t again and cause chaos for individuals and industry. The only thing it proves to me is that any UK government is not fit for purpose. If you do not believe me, remember how they handled Brexit, and that is still unfinished business five years on.

    1. Bill B.
      April 7, 2021

      Best not get on to the Covid 19 response, Agricola, which you continue to get wrong. It’s not true that the Government found ‘people who know’ about virology, as you claim. Here’s what the highly respected British Medical Journal, 15/10/20 says: ‘The covid-19 pandemic should have pushed virology to centre stage. Instead, practising clinical virologists have been sidelined… Because of the lack of engagement by the government and their advisory structure with clinical virologists, 69 clinical virologists, representing most of the consultant level specialty in the UK (and of the Clinical Virology Network) recently wrote to the Chief Medical Officer and Government Chief Scientific Adviser expressing their concerns.’

      The government actually found people who knew about computer modelling. Such as Neil Ferguson who on the subject of real viruses and epidemics has been proven again and again to know jack sh.t (as you’d probably put it). So you’re right that the Government performance has been a shambles, but not for the reason you say.

    2. Mark B
      April 8, 2021

      Oh I believe you, I so, so very much believe you !

  8. Iain gill
    April 7, 2021

    There is a shortage of new cars due to a microchip shortage and a seat foam shortage.

    On top of the anti car nonsense you mention.

  9. Sea_Warrior
    April 7, 2021

    Thank you for reminding me to get some DEF/AdBlue for my Jaguar XE and to visit the Aston Martin showroom while I can still buy one.
    Here’s a question for the political class: what use do they intend for the world’s finite reserves of oil? To leave it in the ground? If electric vehicles make sense, people will buy them. The government should now end its war against the internal combustion engine.

    1. Lifelogic
      April 7, 2021

      Exactly, they did not need to ban horses in order to get people to buy cars and tractors. When and if electric cars become practical and economic people will buy them without insane market rigging and tax payer bribes. We really do have complete idiots in power especially Carrie and the Transport Sec. He has not even cancelled the absurd waste that is HS2 yet.

      1. glen cullen
        April 7, 2021

        +1

      2. Mark B
        April 8, 2021

        Oh how true, especially your first sentence LL.

        Electric cars were around back in the day but, the IC Engine won out because it was better. Who would have thought it ? /Sarc

    2. nota#
      April 7, 2021

      The battery storage is already dead in the water. The usual lack of forethought EU has upped the stakes on Hydrogen as the all-round answer, even Biden has announced plans for nation wide infrastructure for it.
      Its not hard it just takes political will. Unfortunately the UK Government isn’t to concerned about our long term economy, they prefer control orders(We are in charge because we told you so), the dismastment of history and the removal of the Union Flag.

    3. Arthur Wrightiss
      April 7, 2021

      You are correct about keeping a car for longer. For the past 40/50 years I’ve changed cars every 2 years, but now intend to keep the petrol one I have for at least 10 years. I know others doing the same.

    4. Everhopeful
      April 7, 2021

      The “Great Reset” is all about swiping global assets.
      The rich will need oil, unless they begin slaughtering whales again, and they don’t want the likes of us using up the reserves.

      1. Mark B
        April 8, 2021

        Nail head hit !

    5. agricola
      April 7, 2021

      Sea Warrior , amen to that.

  10. Roy Grainger
    April 7, 2021

    New rules in London meant I had to scrap my old diesel car. Buying an electric car is not an option as there are only a handful of charging points near me and they are usually occupied. Buying a new petrol car would be economically foolish as the resale value would plummet to zero based on future bans and restrictions. So I bought a used petrol car which I will run into the ground for as long as I can. So, no new car for me when in the past I would have bought one.

    I bought the used car during lockdown so Covid was irrelevant to my decision.

    1. The Prangwizard
      April 7, 2021

      I have a VW Golf mk4. I have had it for about 16 years and it still runs beautifully. I decided long ago I would get 250,000 miles out of it and I’ve just reached 230,000. It has cost me no more than routine maintenance.

      1. Lifelogic
        April 8, 2021

        Done in an electric car you would have needed perhaps 3 or even 4 very expensive battery changes.

  11. oldtimer
    April 7, 2021

    The SMMT have now published data for March 2021. YTD car sales are down by 58,000 reflecting some recovery in the month of March. Mild hybrid (mostly 48 volt) versions of ICE engines are slowly gaining ground but not enough to offset falls in 12 volt ICEs. I think more and more people will keep older cars, to avoid the ever higher costs of replacements and their higher complexity. There is also evidence that manufacturers are looking for ways to convert more and more of their revenues to the subscription model. This will become feasible once they incorporate software over the air (SOTA) updates in their systems; this could well include activating or deactivating certain features, for example adaptive cruise control. The long running campaign against CO2 is calculated to destroy the motor industry and will likely succeed in doing so. The clueless politicians who have driven or supported this agenda (that is the majority of them) will then have to explain how the jobs will be replaced and, more importantly for them, how the lost taxes previously generated by the motor industry will be replaced. Except that as “here today but gone tomorrow” incumbents that will be someone else’s problem to sort out.

  12. David Cooper
    April 7, 2021

    “High new car taxes allied to anti diesel and anti petrol car policies may perversely persuade more people to prolong the lives of their traditional vehicles and hold back from buying new.”

    Indeed – and in prolonging the lives of their traditional vehicles, they will turn the UK into Cuba, where the locals had no alternative in the face of the US trade ban other than to keep their 50s Chevys and Cadillacs running somehow. Of course, in its reckless pursuit of Net Zero aka the Great Leap Backward, the government could legislate further and ban petrol and diesel, and thereby turn the UK into Myanmar where the peasantry rely on the horse and cart, but that’s another story.

    1. David L
      April 7, 2021

      Horse and cart? You’ll have the animal rights people down on you. Pull the ruddy cart yourself!

    2. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      In the 21st Century you’re describing the UK as a communist state – and I believe you’re correct

  13. Narrow Shoulders
    April 7, 2021

    If a person is not allowed to drive anywhere, the need to purchase a new car and certainly one that can not be test driven subsides. Many vehicles will have their life extended.

    That is not to say that our government’s doctrinal approach to electrification of vehicles has not scared off many potential customers but until we open up again the true position can not really be measured.

  14. jerry
    April 7, 2021

    I suspect the Covid crisis that’s heading towards yet unknown economic turmoil is almost certainly the issue here, not buyers putting off new purchase for yet to be available (at a reasonable forecourt price) EV models. The sector has always been one of the first to suffer an approaching economic storm, unless forced into a purchase, highly discretionary purchases always are. There’s another nine years before the (supposed) banning of new hydrocarbon powered car sales, given the usual financing of new cars, many buyers are likely to have changed their cars at least oncer before 2030.

    Slightly off topic; I note the RAC Foundation are asking would-be urban purchasers of SUVs to reconsider if they actually need a SUV sized vehicle, fair point. But as usual the BBC’s (Radio 4, 7am news) environmental activist …sorry, reporter dresses it up as a major eco issue. Several hundred words of irrelevance in fact, his balanced (and to the real issue) reporting amounted to no more than 12 words tacked onto the end, rattle your coffee cup and you’d have missed them!

    1. jerry
      April 7, 2021

      OT; I note, not that it is being reported by the europhile UK media, there is a right royal row brewing between Australia and the EU, due to the EU blocking contracted exports of CV19 vaccines manufactured in the EU -nor is the EU deigning it!.

      If the EU carries on refusing to allow such exports to a Commonwealth country, and the UK has excess production of the Oxford vaccine for its own (& any non EU contracts) needs, perhaps we could offer part or all of it to Australia?

  15. Mike Wilson
    April 7, 2021

    High new car taxes allied to anti diesel and anti petrol car policies may perversely persuade more people to prolong the lives of their traditional vehicles and hold back from buying new.

    What is perverse about hanging on to a car? What a strange thing to say. It is the environmentally friendly and responsible thing to do. I plan to hang on to my 9 year old car for as long as it is reliable.

    Instead of making the same point as in many previous articles, why not do the research and produce facts and figures that compare the environmental impact of petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars.

    It would be interesting if you could absolutely prove that electric cars are worse for the environment. It would make the government look foolish.

    Also, why not produce figures for the power generation necessary by, say, 2040. If new diesel and petrol cars are banned by 2030, most will be off the road by 2040 by which time there will need to be generating capacity for everyone (who has a car) to power their car.

    It would be nice to have facts and figures to point to instead of opinions.

    1. NickC
      April 7, 2021

      Mike, Newer ICE cars tend to be lower polluting and more efficient.

      1. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        Facts and figures are needed to prove a modern ICE engined car is better for the environment than a car with an electric motor and battery.

        1. NickC
          April 7, 2021

          Mike, I was replying to your question: “What is perverse about hanging on to a car?” So I answered: “Newer ICE cars tend to be lower polluting and more efficient” but should have added: ‘than older ICE cars’ – for clarity.

    2. dixie
      April 8, 2021

      There is no debate on issues in the sense of arguments being presented and discussed.
      An argument is a melding opinion and the facts that justify or support that opinion. Unfortunately most commenters are only interested in opinions, not in facts and if figures are offered they are rarely substantiated or qualified.

  16. Andy
    April 7, 2021

    People have no concerns about hybrid or electric cars because they are the best cars on the market. I have been telling all of you this for nearly 5 years – and I only get more right about it!

    Seriously. Buy a Tesla. It’ll be by far the best vehicle any off you have ever owned.

    No, I don’t work for Tesla.

    1. No Longer Anonymous
      April 7, 2021

      Do you take your own stuff to the dump or go on camping holidays ?

      1. No Longer Anonymous
        April 7, 2021

        I run two old cars. If I scrap them and buy a new Tesla how am I doing my bit for the environment ?

    2. David L
      April 7, 2021

      At ÂŁ38k they are poor value compared to a petrol hatchback of a few years in age. I’ll only buy one when there’s absolutely no choice, and I’ll be too old to care by then. My 2005 Jazz does all I want of it and doesn’t put me into debt. And the overall emissions aren’t that different unless you believe the sales hype.

    3. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      If the Tesla EV cars are so good why do they need taxpayer subsidy?

    4. a-tracy
      April 7, 2021

      Tesla has announced UK pricing for its Model 3 with the Standard Range Plus rear-wheel-drive car costing ÂŁ38,900 after the Government’s ÂŁ3,500 plug-in car grant. The Model 3 Performance version, with its 0-60mph time of 3.2 seconds making it the quickest car in the compact-executive class, costs ÂŁ56,900. Lowest cost second-hand Low price range Tesla Model S example ÂŁ25,949 – ÂŁ47,299

    5. NickC
      April 7, 2021

      Seriously, Andy, most car owners cannot afford to buy Tesla. And even if a Tesla can be afforded why would someone pay twice the price of an equally good ICE car with better range and 30 times quicker refuelling?

    6. Ginty
      April 7, 2021

      No, he doesn’t work for Tesla. He work’s in his Mum’s laundrette.

    7. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      No, a Prius will be the best car you ever own. Taxi drivers are racking up 300,000 + miles on the original engine and enjoying 70 mpg. My next car will be a Toyota Corolla Estate Hybrid. I intend to buy a new one in about 4 years. I anticipate it will either ‘see me out’ or see me to the end of my driving life. I will give up driving if I ever feel my reflexes have slowed or decision making is flawed. Or, if I get nicked for drinking and driving.

      1. Narrow Shoulders
        April 7, 2021

        I will go for the Peugeot Hybrid myself Mike

    8. John C.
      April 7, 2021

      You live in another world.

    9. Peter2
      April 7, 2021

      Not everyone can afford Tesla Andy.
      The cheapest one is over ÂŁ40,000.
      You should show a bit of empathy for those of us who are not as rich and privileged as you are.

      1. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        @Peter2

        Andy is not privileged. He has had freedom of movement taken away. Some of us have Irish parents.

        1. Peter2
          April 7, 2021

          Mike
          If he lived in Europe he would only annoy them with his trendy lefty pc green nonsense.
          So best to keep him here in the UK.

    10. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      I had a nice, white Audi S5 convertible as a second car a few years ago. That was the nicest car I have owned. 3.0 litre V6 super charged engine. Tame as you like pottering about town. Stick it into sports mode and it flew. 4 wheel drive, felt like it was on rails. A poxy Tesla? My son had one for a while. No thanks.

    11. David Williams
      April 8, 2021

      Having bought one, I agree with Andy.

  17. Bryan Harris
    April 7, 2021

    It strikes me that the main aim of this green government is to reduce the number of cars on the road and prevent the average person from being mobile.

    They are going to achieve these objectives, even if it means wasted investment and reduction of potential for all concerned.

    The thing we have to keep in mind as regards the green movement is that dogma is far more important than allowing people to achieve their potential in life without unnecessary constraints.

    1. NickC
      April 7, 2021

      Bryan, That is perfectly correct. What’s more the government is not building the electricity production plant to fuel the BEVs anyway.

  18. Everhopeful
    April 7, 2021

    I expect the gas boiler industry is likewise thriving?
    Here, we are suffering 16 weeks of roadworks to replace gas pipes.
    Odd!
    But unsurprising ….like expecting a non “Ratnergate” response to the trashing of our petrol/diesel car industry.

    1. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      Same here. Lots of gas pipe replacement. Recently had a new boiler fitted. 10 year guarantee so may well ‘see me out’. Either way, the gas network can be used to distribute hydrogen in due course.

      1. NickC
        April 7, 2021

        Not necessarily, Mike. Hydrogen embrittles steel, and leaks more (smaller molecule than methane).

        1. Mike Wilson
          April 7, 2021

          Any of the gas mains that are not yet plastic are being replaced.

          1. NickC
            April 7, 2021

            Mike, Lots of steel parts (inc fittings, components, pipes and fixings) in the system up to and including the appliances in the home. It’s not just about the mains pipes in the ground.

    2. jerry
      April 7, 2021

      @EH; Yes, the REPLACEMENT gas boiler industry is thriving from what I hear…

  19. nota#
    April 7, 2021

    The slump started when, the cars got extra taxes applied for basically adding safety features. Never forget our Metro WOKEness Government seeks to punish those that don’t use public transport.
    Of course more people would use public transport if it existed.

    Out here in the sticks even pedestrian footways have been removed/taken over to make way for the Governments drive to get everyone on their bike. I always thought walking was pleasurable and desirable from the health point of view. Now our pavement are designated cycle ways with no room for pedestrians. Then to add insult to injury these same pedestrian walk ways attract the electric bike and electric scooter, these now a dangerous place for school children to walk to school, for walkers, the old etc. to get around. Government logic, drive people out of their cars, then drive them of the footways, get what vehicles that are around to then park on those same pedestrian foot paths – and you achieve a lock-down for no other purpose than control.

    Lets put the economy first, then peoples health and wealth at the for front before all this one size fits all positively stupid Metro World thinking.

    1. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      When everyone is out of their cars, we can ride our electric bikes on the road without the fear of being run over by a lunatic driving a ton of metal at 88 feet per second. Which is exactly what I face if I am insane enough to cycle into Bridport.

  20. Alan Jutson
    April 7, 2021

    I am one of those of who you outline JR.
    Two vehicles, one 14 year old diesel, the other 21 year old petrol.
    So no depreciation cost for a few years now.
    Was planning to change the 21 year old vehicle for one about 3 years old (new too expensive), but will instead wait now until it is no longer economical to repair.
    The 21 year old vehicle is the larger of the two and goes on the longer journeys (holidays and visiting family etc), so electric not suitable, but looks like a more efficient diesel replacement will be excluded from more and more cities in due course, so why spend about ÂŁ30,000 when the Government attempts to drive me off the road with ever increasing taxation (and taxes will increase)
    What will an expensive new diesel purchased now be worth in 2030 ?
    Next to nothing ?
    With a new sales ban in place for diesel and petrol in 2030 will I even be able to get fuel locally as garages will inevitably close due to lack of fuel sales.
    Government is moving far too fast for the technological revolution, go back to 2040 as the date, and let technology search and drive for the proper solution.

    1. Alan Jutson
      April 7, 2021

      The 14 year old diesel originally purchased as a pre registered vehicle from main dealer with 5 miles on the clock, and at a 35% saving on new price.
      The larger petrol engined vehicle purchased new from abroad (Full UK Spec) at a 30% saving.
      So in effect owned both above vehicles from new.

      Unfortunately no such deals around now (that I am aware of) hence a 2-3 year old second hand purchase at half the cost of new was going to be the case, but even that decision now delayed due to uncertainty of the future vehicle restrictions and future taxation system.

    2. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      What make/model is your 21 year old car. Always interested in cars that last the course. Normally wouldn’t have a Ford as a gift, chap told me the other day about his Ford Focus which he bought new when they were first introduced in 1998. All it has had is regular servicing by his account and is still in good nick.

      1. Alan Jutson
        April 7, 2021

        Mike

        Had two Toyota Corolla’s.
        First one the GTI we run for 18 years, still going strong when we exchanged it for the new one, which is the Corolla D4D SR which we have been running for the last 14 years. (averages 45 MPG.)
        The 21 year old is a Mitsubishi 4 x 4 will probably replace it eventually with the new Toyota Highlander hybrid, but not a new one, it will probably be about 2 years old or so, much better value for money then, so the Mitsubishi will have last another 2 years.

        Looked at the Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90 but alleged reliability reported not as good as Toyota, according to reports in many motoring survey’s.

        1. Mike Wilson
          April 8, 2021

          Big fan of Toyotas myself. If every car lasted as long as your Mitsubishi, you could pass your test aged 17 and probably only need 3 cars to see you out. How green that would be.

  21. Sakara Gold
    April 7, 2021

    There are still some diesel/petrol vehicle bargains to be had, advertised on Autotrader. The second-hand price of a top of the range 2 year old diesel VW Golf with all of the refinements and only 12000 miles is now in the range ÂŁ12,000 – ÂŁ14,000. New, the price would be in excess of ÂŁ25,000. You would get a years warranty, an air conditioned glove box, the heated seats and steering wheel and ~ 8 years of motoring – at 60 mpg – before having to exchange it for an EV under current government plans.

    1. NickC
      April 7, 2021

      Sakara, I like the idea of an “air conditioned glove box”. But, thank you anyway – I prefer to pick my own cars to suit my own purposes, not yours. And my pick certainly won’t include any over-priced Volkeswagen (which is all of them). When you do buy a BEV, what are you going to fuel it on? Andy’s toasters? The Dept of BEIS is projecting no increase in electricity production between 2020 and 2040.

    2. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      The air conditioned glove box sounds interesting. The heated seats, not so much. Whenever I have had them I find I have the strange feeling I may have soiled myself.

      Of course you won’t have to exchange it for an EV under government plans. You just won’t be able to buy a new petrol or diesel engined car after 2030. My age notwithstanding as a factor, all other things being equal, I would buy a nearly new hybrid just before 2030 and expect it to last until at least 2045. At which point I would be (might be, could be, hope to be) 92. At that point the driving gloves will be hung up (brand new and unused – never worn them.)

      1. No Longer Anonymous
        April 7, 2021

        Rest assured that any ICE owner will be spanked mercilessly for tax and for entering cities and towns.

  22. MPC
    April 7, 2021

    The right to buy was once the most radical policy of any Tory government but even that one did not force people into it, there remained a choice to continue social renting. The public will remember that this EV new car compulsion is a Conservative creation. The government knows exactly what it is doing, there’s no intention to have as many electric cars as ICE ones in future. Several EV proponents and investors are saying they expect few EVs in cities in future for example, there people will have to rely on public transport.

    1. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      The public will remember that this EV new car compulsion

      No-one is compelling you to buy an EV. Just before the last date they are available, you can buy the best petrol, diesel or hybrid car that you can and carry on driving it for 20 years or more. Just as long as you can get fuel for it.

      I foresee a massive boom in car purchase just before 2030 as it becomes ever more obvious that it will be impossible to charge your car if lots of people own them. You’ll only be able to do it at home if you can get your car off road or unless every lamp-post has 3 charging outlets.

      1. NickC
        April 7, 2021

        Mike said: “No-one is compelling you to buy an EV”. You’re beginning to sound like Jerry. As a matter of fact (unless the government changes its mind) the government will compel people if they want to buy new, after 2030 and 2035. At the moment there is a free choice between LPG, diesel, petrol, hybrid, hydrogen, BEV. That choice is being taken away. By compulsion.

  23. Peter
    April 7, 2021

    Not much use for new cars when you cannot travel anywhere.

    No sign of that changing much either.

  24. Fedupsoutherner
    April 7, 2021

    Lets cut to the chase here John. This ridiculous scenario of getting rid of ICE cars in favour of electric isn’t about saving the planet. It’s about getting people off the roads. How are a family with multiple cars going to manage to charge up these cars without multiple charging points? We have people in our road who have a driveway so can charge one or two cars but the husband works as a self employed builder so he has a van, the wife works and she drives a car and then there are two sons who also have cars. There are debates going on about drivers over 70 not being allowed to drive more than 30 miles. It’s obvious where this is going. It doesn’t matter how many times people ask how are those living in high rise buildings going to charge their vehicles, no answer is given. Don’t get me started on the high taxes for some vehicles. Many high end cars are over ÂŁ40k. The tax is already higher given the price to start with but why should people have to pay extra tax just on the price tag? The emissions on some of these cars are low so it’s not about saving the planet. All of the high end electric cars have low emissions but still get charged more for tax for another 4 years I think. If people want to spend their money on a decent car why shouldn’t they without being penalised? Perhaps they don’t spend money on eating out or holidays or other frivolities other people enjoy. This government has done more to harm our car industry than any other and many other industries too all on a whim guided by the Gretas of this world who are totally ignorant of the problems being caused. Your government has been a total failure John of epic proportions and I cannot support it unless it changes radically. Fat chance!!

    1. turboterrier
      April 7, 2021

      F U S
      Tragically all so true. Well said.

  25. Everhopeful
    April 7, 2021

    Boris Johnson 2005

    “It is perfectly obvious that the Government intends these ID Cards to one day be made compulsory. I want to make it clear that I will in no circumstances carry one and even were I compelled to do so, I would take it out and destroy it on the spot were I ever asked to produce it. It is a plastic poll tax that will do nothing to assist the struggle against terrorists and will hugely expand the powers of the state over the individual”.

    This govt. has no real opinions. No long term objectives. Just blows with the wind and the quick rewards.
    We have no petrol/diesel industry and we sure as Hell will not have an electric/hydrogen one. Just wooden bikes!

    1. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      Correct – this isn’t any conservative government that I recognise

    2. David Brown
      April 7, 2021

      Actually the Japanese are producing good quality wooden bikes – well polished bamboo beautifully crafted

  26. Everhopeful
    April 7, 2021

    But Boris, back in 2005, did understand what happens when an industry is trashed publicly using scare stories.
    …”So we panicked; the media panicked; the Government panicked, and soon half a million cows had been slaughtered and burnt. The taxpayer coughed up more than ÂŁ5 billion and the British beef industry was more or less wiped out”.

    Still…they don’t want cars do they? Except for the deserving few that is and they’ll have aeroplanes too! And expensive meals out in locked-down cities.

  27. nota#
    April 7, 2021

    As of this April the UK Government taxpayer subsidy for plug in cars drops from ÂŁ50,000 to ÂŁ35,000. i.e. those taxpayers that couldn’t afford any sort of new car were subsidising those that could pay for them to rub their noses in it.
    Some Car manufacturers so as to ensure their customers are financed by the general taxpayers have dropped the prices of their vehicles to get under the new ÂŁ35,000 threshold.
    This is the UK tax system, twisted, distorted and manipulative to the extent that those that ‘can’ always get funded by those that ‘cant’. That is a todays version of Conservative Governments view of a level playing field.
    I should add, in case it gets misinterpreted I consider myself a real Conservative (big and small c), more akin to Maggie than this pseudo make believe left wing bunch. The HoC contains perhaps 25% true believers, the rest are rule at any cost but never serve.
    Treat every one equal and with the same respect and the Country will be rewarded.

    1. nota#
      April 7, 2021

      On TV last night was shown Ridley Scotts version of Robin Hood. The message that was trying to get out then(1199) as it is today, being ruled by tyrants is not the same as people governing themselves and serving their country to the best of their ability. The ruling elite never learn they just think they have a god given right to command.

      1. glen cullen
        April 7, 2021

        Well the political and tax system haven’t changed – squeeze the plebs

  28. Thames Trader
    April 7, 2021

    There will be many people working at home instead of in an office far away that have massively cut their mileage and are satisfied with their existing car.

  29. hefner
    April 7, 2021

    ‘The UK invested billions to be a great centre for diesel engines and diesel cars’, ah, ah, so it was not the market and plain private sector decisions? The UK state poured money into this … I am sooo surprised.
    ‘If battery electric vehicles … their advocates seek’. At least it will reduce the urban pollution and improve the air quality.
    Re: last paragraph. So what side are you on, Sir John? Or is today’s comment another of your anger/angst-baiting contributions?

    1. Hope
      April 7, 2021

      +1 Hef.

      This JR’s party and govt. JR made similar rants about Hammond!!

    2. Peter2
      April 7, 2021

      The automotive industry followed the publicly stated policy decisions of the EU and UK government to encourage us away from petrol to diesel vehicles.
      That was because of CO2 concerns.

    3. NickC
      April 7, 2021

      Hefner, Diesels were encouraged by the green lobby working on the EU and UK governments. The reason claimed was lower CO2 emissions compared to petrol. I did warn at the time that diesels’ other emissions were more harmful, but you know the green lobby – no technical understanding. BEVs will be another failure on top of diesels, CCS, bio-fuels, windmills, etc. All because of the CAGW hoax and green authoritarianism.

      1. Peter2
        April 7, 2021

        Well said Nick

  30. glen cullen
    April 7, 2021

    Do not subsidies any vehicle manufacturer, vehicle by type, vehicle purchase or vehicle re-sale
    Tax (vehicle duty) all vehicles the same i.e level playing field
    Allow market forces to develop the demand and choice of customers

    That’s real democracy

    1. Mockbeggar
      April 7, 2021

      Why have a Road Vehicle Tax at all? The police can still check that your car is MOTd and insured from its number plate. Charge tax on the fuel consumed. The bigger, more wasteful the car and the more road miles driven, the bigger the tax charge.

      1. NickC
        April 7, 2021

        Too simple and not authoritarian enough for this government, Mockbeggar.

      2. glen cullen
        April 7, 2021

        good point

      3. Mike Wilson
        April 7, 2021

        @muckbeggar

        Common sense is not appreciated by this government.

    2. turboterrier
      April 7, 2021

      Glenn Cullen

      Correct. It is the only way.

    3. Fedupsoutherner
      April 7, 2021

      +1 Glen

  31. Turboterrier
    April 7, 2021

    As been said or implied many times on this sight our government and all politicians have as with renewable energy, climate change, infrastructure, housing, education and now transport have been blatantly guilty of pissing before they have their flies open. Quick knee jerk reactions with no consideration given to cause and effect of their actions. ICEs are just the latest victim of the apathy that has been applied to the decisions that now are decimating the total automobile industry.
    It would seem that in other countries they have at least slipped their mooring lines and are preparing for a new journeys. In the world media, a day does not go by when countries and companies are coming together to do new deals to drive hydrogen as a fuel. The latest on Google being reported by greencarcongress.com is that Great Wall Motors (China -based) no surprise there then? Their hydrogen energy strategy covers both international supply chains and hydrogen power stations meeting vehicle regulations. The foundation for this will be the 2022 Olympic winter Games with the first service fleet of high end passenger vehicles. GWM will be investing $457 million into the hydrogen R&D sector. Any way you look at the figures they are not playing soft ball, they have recognised the market potential and are investing to lead it. Why one could ask are we going flat out lemming like for EVs that the general public do not want?

    A colleague has purchased a new property with solar panels and air source heat pumps, very green. One EV charging point as standard. Four cars in the family!! The noise from the accumulative number of ASHPs from the surrounding properties is quite noticeable and the site engineers state that it is normal and nothing can be done. He is monitoring his energy usage and it seems that the hot water demand is very heavy on power consumed.

    Where are we going to find enough brave politicians who are at least going to demand a stop to present policies and get rid of the emotional green congregation who are driving policy and get engineers, and scientists without dodgy computer programmes to come up with a plan that the population can understand and support. Being cynical if we didn’t know any better one could a;most believe that it is all a cunning plan to get the critical mass of the population off of the road

  32. Iain Moore
    April 7, 2021

    Johnson and Carrie will be jumping for joy. Loss of jobs, loss of industry, who cares? Everything has to be sacrificed for the great reset…… Well not everything , not on the stuff that will impinge on their and their mates life styles, as we saw yesterday with the travel industry complaining the Covid travel restrictions being put in place will make travel just for the rich.

    We also got sneak preview of another bit of the reset yesterday, Biden proposing a minimum corporate tax plan for the world , with it being reported it got Johnson’s signal of approval . A dangerous plan for the only thing that politicians fear about spending more and more of our money is that the tax base will walk out the door, remove that threat and we remove that restraint. You do wonder what Johnson understood about restoring our sovereignty on Brexit, especially when he his giving it away on global promises.

    1. NickC
      April 7, 2021

      Iain, Cynical. But true.

    2. Fedupsoutherner
      April 8, 2021

      Well done Ian. Got if in one.

  33. a-tracy
    April 7, 2021

    Well, lockdown = less mileage on the vehicles last year = a one year delay on the replacement cycle (your benefit in kind should have reflected this as it is unfair to the work vehicle driver). Is the government still keeping to the motability replacement cycle or are you adding a year on to the replacement cycle with people having a much reduced mileage from working at home and no school run or visiting for a year.

    What % of Motability vehicles supported by government funding in 2020 were hybrid or electric? Kia seems to be doing very well out of this change as they have a suitable vehicle at a good price. The Chinese have a suitable vehicle at a good price but don’t have a market place in the UK for people to see it, try it and buy it. The German eco-cars are just too expensive.

  34. Maj
    April 7, 2021

    Look on the bright side – so many cars are imported from EU countries, especially Germany, that the reduction in sales is far more harmful to them than to us.

  35. Beecee
    April 7, 2021

    According to recently announced figures for human caused carbon emissions, the UK is responsible for about o.7%. Do we really think that the UK is an ongoing climate change problem for our planet?

    One has to wonder the mindset of those who are re-engineering our lives in the belief that reducing this to 0% at huge cost will make any difference at all.

  36. Diane
    April 7, 2021

    Of course they continue to slump. We keep reading rates of this and that which are not expected to ‘get back to normal’ until…. whatever year & this includes car purchase, car usage, international travel, aircraft usage etc., Good luck with that in terms of our tourism industry to name but one & the support of our domestic tourism, certainly by our own citizens here in the UK with all the potential restrictions imposed or just our eventual giving up because it’s all become too difficult and perhaps even a degree of ‘ range anxiety ‘ with regard to EVs. But, aren’t we just doing what the politicians appear to be telling us we should do, stop using our cars, stop travelling so much, consuming so much and yet….. I certainly have put off the purchase of a new car & no plans whatsoever to purchase electric in the near future & will keep the one I have which is efficient, not overly used, particularly locally where buses & trains are fairly good, and is well maintained. The thought of putting it on the scrapheap is criminal. Maybe I’m just a stick in the mud or too idealistic but I just wish this government would readopt a previous ‘philosophy’ and first ‘ get back to basics ‘ FGS just do something, and do it well, to solve or ameliorate those basic problems in our lives which should, after all these years, be blindingly obvious & particularly in light of what we have seen happening even just in the last few years. I don’t claim that this forum in any way speaks for the majority but to me it gives more than a few hints of what is becoming and what has become totally unacceptable in this country & in dire need of action by the powers that be. What was that other one – we are all in this together – well we could be, given half a b??!!* chance. Rant over.

  37. hefner
    April 7, 2021

    I am looking forward to the upcoming report from ‘UK in a changing Europe’ called ‘Comfortable Leavers’ due to be published on 19 April 2021. I hope it might point out at the differences between those leavers with Jaguars and Aston Martins and the majority of people in the Northern Red Wall or between the former City metal trader and the people who swallowed ‘sovereignty’ hook line and sinker.

    In that respect I wonder what practical aspects of their life have recently been improved by the gushing torrent of retrieved sovereignty.

    1. Hope
      April 7, 2021

      Hef,
      Ah, there is a difference. A clean Brexit and a fake one delivered by Johnson. Cameron made it clear it meant to leave all EU institutions etc. Not half in half out. Brexit means Brexit May and did everything to stop what she said! All three promised to get UK out of ECHR.

      Therefore your comments unworthy when the fake Tories failed to deliver what they promised.

      1. glen cullen
        April 7, 2021

        +1

    2. MiC
      April 7, 2021

      To the curtain-twitchers it’s not about improving their own lives, but about ruining others.

      1. glen cullen
        April 7, 2021

        I agree we’d all be better off if this government did nothing during its term in office

    3. NickC
      April 7, 2021

      Hefner, If the “red wall” cannot afford Jaguars, it cannot afford Teslas either. And if sovereignty is quite as bad a bargain as you think, then will your Remain (rejoin) propaganda outfit tell us when will the rest of the planet (all 165 countries) give theirs up?

    4. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      Not involved in the EU vaccine fiasco.

      Not involved in the EU administered COVID recovery fund.

      Not bad for a start.

  38. Pieter C
    April 7, 2021

    A sensible Government would have opted for minimal vehicle-produced CO2 rather than a legal commitment to zero carbon by a fixed date. Politicians try to justify this by “reduced pollution”, but CO2 is, of course, not a pollutant. To try to impose electric vehicles on everyone before the necessary 3 times expansion in stable power generation is in place is simply insane. The “Green Agenda” is an authoritarian-inspired attack on personal freedom, all based on questionable science and dodgy computer-based predictions, (sounds familiar?) As you suggest, Sir John, it takes no account of the effect on UK based industry, jobs and livelihoods. All this for ministers to be able to posture on the world stage, when the UK’s share of global CO2 emissions is 1% and falling, and a majority of non-western countries are declining to sacrifice their prosperity for what may be unnecessary self-harm.

    1. Alan Jutson
      April 7, 2021

      +1

    2. turboterrier
      April 8, 2021

      Pietersen C
      +1

    3. dixie
      April 8, 2021

      I suspect a confluence of agendas is at play, however you might ask yourself where does all the oil and gas come from these days to power vehicles and comfortable home environments.
      Then ask yourself how secure is that supply and what might be the cost and will this supply and cost change in the future.

  39. GilesB
    April 7, 2021

    Off the topic, but when are going to impound EU fishing vessels breaking the rules, especially around Jersey?

    1. Alan Jutson
      April 7, 2021

      Blimey Giles, we cannot even control rubber boats with known illegals in the Channel !!!!

      1. The Prangwizard
        April 7, 2021

        Cannot control? There is no wish, no desire, no intent by this government to control either.

    2. Andy
      April 7, 2021

      That’s a matter for the government of Jersey – which is not a part of the U.K. and has never been in the EU.

      1. NickC
        April 7, 2021

        As is often the case, Andy, your claim that Jersey has never been in the EU is simplistic to the point of being untruthful. Jersey was in the EU customs union (and applied EU tariffs), had free trade with the EU, and adopted or used many EU laws. Jersey is a Crown dependency, and is not independent of the UK (see gov.je website).

      2. glen cullen
        April 7, 2021

        Correct but the Bailiwicks of Jersey can request our protection from invasion at any time as British Crown Dependency

  40. Al
    April 7, 2021

    There is another issue, of course. A car is expensive to keep and run. People on furlough and those working from home simply saved money by not buying a car over 2020/2021, especially if they were in lower income groups. They were most likely to buy petrol cars due to cost. The average second-hand petrol car popular with the lower and lower-middle income groups costs ÂŁ8,000 (figures BCA 2021). Those who were well-enough off to buy a car despite CV-19 are a higher income bracket, who are more likely to buy an electric vehicle (average price ÂŁ44,000 as of 2021) often as a second car. (Data from Dept. of Transport statistics on car ownership by income quintile).

    Pricing the lower and middle income out of access to the transport they need to get to work is not a good way to keep Britain productive. Not all jobs can be done from home.

  41. kb
    April 7, 2021

    The collapse of car sales is presumably cause for celebration, because the authorities have spent the last 30 years in a war against cars. So, finally, that battle has been a success, and I imagine you are all patting each other on the back over a long hard battle against the car being won ?

  42. Burning injustice
    April 7, 2021

    I absolutely agree the SMMT and car industry leaders have let themselves be played. For years they said Brexit was the only threat in town. All the while an existential threat was building, but they had nothing to say about it as they wanted to appear progressive and modern. They lacked the self-confidence to defend the great strides forward they had already taken in making cars more efficient and environmentally friendly.

    There is absolutely no guarantee that the incumbent players will be the major players of tomorrow if an electric car future does indeed come to pass. The incumbents twiddle their thumbs while the ground moves beneath them.

    1. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      SMMT are a membership group of international vehicle manufactures

      This venture to ban petrol and diesel isn’t driven by consumer demand, or manufacturing supply – its 100% government social engineering

  43. NickC
    April 7, 2021

    Please can we have more global warming? Warmth is good; warmth is life giving. More CO2 means more food, and better use of land. Instead the Tory government jumps on the 30 year old CAGW bandwagon, and in a frenzy of picking “winners” ruins both car and electricity production, exports jobs, makes the UK vulnerable to both China and the EU, and has no effect on global emissions.

  44. Lifelogic
    April 7, 2021

    You say:- “High new car taxes allied to anti diesel and anti petrol car policies may perversely persuade more people to prolong the lives of their traditional vehicles and hold back from buying new” Well they surely will do but it is not perverse. It is the sensible way go financially, practically and is probably greener in general than causing a new electric car to be manufactures with its very expensive and short lived battery.

    New electric car need to do very large mileages charged with entirely with low carbon electricity (it will not be) before they save any net CO2. Most do not and will not. They tend to be used as fairly low mileage vehicles.

    1. Lifelogic
      April 7, 2021

      Also they need to be replaced, or have new expensive batteries fitted after a few years.

    2. Mike Wilson
      April 7, 2021

      @LifeLogic

      You often state that electric vehicles are not green taking into account production, battery production etc. Do you have any sources or figures. In my family WhatsApp group I am besieged by people wearing their green hearts on their sleeves – I would love to be able to authoritatively argue that their unquestioning devotion to electric cars is misguided and misinformed.

      1. hefner
        April 7, 2021

        What makes you think that LL has a reasonably accurate picture (and proper numbers) of the cost and CO2 emissions linked to a ‘cradle-to-grave’ production, use and recycling of an electric vehicle (including mining of rare earth metals, lithium, cobalt and the like). You should also ask him to provide similar information for an ICE vehicle including cost and CO2 emission linked to oil extraction and refining.

        Strictly speaking the problem is not with LL but that such C2G analyses have rarely been done or when done are not complete and miss some essential costs (like the cost of oil extraction-refinery for ICE cars).
        So if LL were to answer your request I guess it would be full of his usual flannel.

        1. Peter2
          April 7, 2021

          He seems to present his arguments well to me.
          But then no one can be as clever as you Hefner

          1. dixie
            April 8, 2021

            What arguments? He only offers opinions never substantiated facts.

        2. Mike Wilson
          April 8, 2021

          I just assumed that as LifeLogic regularly makes the assertion that electric vehicles are not as green as they are made out to be, that he must have seen some data somewhere. This is a genuine question from me.

          1. Lifelogic
            April 8, 2021

            Indeed they have to do at 60,000 to 100,000 miles charged only with low carbon electricity (unlikely) just to break even on the CO2 used to manufacture them and the batteries. Then the batteries need changing after a few years too.

          2. dixie
            April 8, 2021

            He doesn’t, he lifts headline scare figures from anti AGW sites but never provides qualification or sources from the numbers he throws about.

          3. Lifelogic
            April 9, 2021

            Also there is nothing un-green about CO2 plant and tree food anyway. Quite the reverse in fact.

      2. NickC
        April 7, 2021

        Mike, I doubt whether any proof will be adequate for the people you descibe – like some others, they appear adicted to the green religion and its specific “remedies du jour” (which change endlessly, of course). Bear in mind that some of the statements (on both sides) are projections and predictions so cannot, strictly, be called proof (by either).

        There is a very good lecture by Professor Gautam Kalghatgi in the HoL asking whether it is really the end of internal combustion engines and petroleum in transport? His answer is a resounding: NO.

        He points out that with existing batteries an A320 at takeoff would need a battery 19 times the allowable take off weight, and take 11 days to charge. Even with cars the range is dire, and the life of the battery is poor.

        Try the GWPF, which will lead to other sensible sites. Here is one link (Prof Gautam Kalghatgi has also lectured at the IET):
        https://www.climatedepot.com/2020/09/16/the-battery-car-delusion-banning-the-sale-of-gas-cars-would-be-a-colossal-error/

        1. Mike Wilson
          April 8, 2021

          Thank you. I will have a look with interest.

        2. dixie
          April 8, 2021

          It goes both ways, there are zealots on both sides of the argument which makes figuring out fact from dogma a bit of a problem for those caught in the middle trying to chart a path for their family’s future a bit tricky.
          The range and battery life of current EVs is not dire if they are adequate ot a person’s needs, not everyone needs to do 500 mile journeys every day of the week.
          BTW Jet aircraft don’t use petrol or diesel so why would you expect or demand they use batteries like short range ground vehicles?
          PS Professor Gautam Kalghatgi spent 30+ years in research at Shell, an oil company, so probably has a view on what would be prefereable rather than not preferabled for those businesses.

      3. Lifelogic
        April 8, 2021

        The latest study on the ‘CO2 lag’ of electric cars comes from the University of Liùge in Belgium. Calculations by Professor Damien Ernst.

        Using the average CO2 output of the European electricity network, Ernst concluded that an electric car using a 60kWh battery made in Europe would have to travel some 700,000 kilometres (435,000 miles) before it is “greener than an average petrol car”.

        Clearly lower is entirely low carbon electricity is used but still perhaps 50,000 miles to break even on CO2 keep you old banger if you want to save CO2 and money.

      4. Lifelogic
        April 8, 2021

        The best study I have seen on the ‘CO2 lag’ of electric cars comes from the University of Liùge in Belgium, Professor Damien Ernst. BUT lots of others.

  45. agricola
    April 7, 2021

    Sky News are currently advertising a series of programmes on climate change. Without denying that climate change is a reality, it always has been if you look beyond last week, it is increasingly obvious from trailers that this will be a very one sided story, the one the CC zealots wish to tell.

    There is no indication that anyone will sell the abvantages of CC to the UKs desire to be self sufficient in temperate food production. Nobody will be investigating CO2 levels in geological time and relating those levels to climate, nor will they be drawing attention to the fact that CO2 is plant food.

    Nodody will be giving an authorative balanced appraisal of ICE technology and what noxious gases and particulate can currently be eliminated. Nor will there be a balanced appraisal of hydrogen as a fuel for direct use or via a fuel cell in comparison with an electrically charged battery. The strategic vulnerability of battery manufacture and its environmental cost will I doubt be touched on.

    A series of programmes of similar length and authority should be insisted upon if modern broadcasting is not to become a one sided propaganda machine. Caveat emptor.

    1. Iain Moore
      April 7, 2021

      With the Covid terror beginning to wear thin they have to replace it with something else, after all we can’t have the population living without any terror to fear , so all the media are dusting off the Climate Change terror. I gather the BBC is also planning programmes on St Greta.

    2. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      1 May 2019 — UK Parliament declares climate change emergency
      Every university has a professor of climate change
      Every council has an appointed office of climate change
      Every public funded body has to account for climate change
      BBC and Sky have commissioned programmes and declared a climate emergency
      28 Nov 2019 — European Parliament declares climate emergency
      16 Jul 2020 — Greta Thunberg “It’s time to #FaceTheClimateEmergency”

      The deck is stacked against any reasoned argument !

  46. Mark
    April 7, 2021

    The Bank of England is probably pleased that the household sector isn’t racking up more debt on car purchases (indeed, it is repaying it net), and that lower car sales mean less pressure on the balance of payments. On the other hand, it has been quite content to see a big surge in mortgage lending for house purchases, exceeding the decline in remortgaging. Consumers have been particularly cautious by repaying credit card debt.

    Mr Shapps tried to spin triumph out of consumer impoverishment by claiming that EV sales are a big positive. Well, if you subsidise the purchase price, and then compound that with zero BIK levy where a similar petrol or diesel vehicle will see a charge of over ÂŁ4,000 p.a. for a 40% tax payer, and VED exemption shouldn’t you be expecting everyone to be buying them? Let’s also remember the plans to lower the quality of our motor fuels, designed to shorten vehicle life and increase fuel consumption. The reality is that his policies are designed to lower our standard of living and reduce our access to and use of private transport. I give him a big fat zero, and would welcome zero emissions from him or anyone else who emulates his policies.

  47. Pauline Baxter
    April 7, 2021

    Surely it is the GOVERNMENT that should be worrying about the slump in new car sales, not the industry.
    Boris Johnson’s whole Carbon Neutral policy is complete nonsense, as carbon dioxide is not only harmless, it is also plant food. Photosynthesis used to be learned by every schoolboy and girl.
    I can understand you backing this nincompoop in 2019. We were all fed up with the E.U.
    But now please get rid of the mad dictator, because having wrecked the economy he is now taking every last shred of our liberty.

    1. Jim Whitehead
      April 7, 2021

      PB +1

  48. Sea_Warrior
    April 7, 2021

    I’ve just watched some of both the EMA and MHRA press-conferences on the subject of AZ’s Oxford vaccine. How nice to see rational decision-making in action.

  49. Pauline Baxter
    April 7, 2021

    It’s about time that all MP’s returned to the House of Commons in reality. Including all the Committees and other ways that you communicate.
    It’s disgraceful that Boris is ruling by decree to press briefings.
    Throughout he has used the Covid19 threat, to get more power into his own hands, bypassing the legislative chamber.
    The Covid passport is yet another example. In the long run it will mean Total State Control over every aspect of our lives. Like the Chinese Communist Party has.

  50. John C.
    April 7, 2021

    It already is a one – sided propaganda machine. What interests me is who tells all the media and 99% of the political class what the accepted line is. There is certainly some overall direction.

  51. David Brown
    April 7, 2021

    I disagree with you on many topics, however I equally agree with you on some topics.
    Climate change is a reality, however its how we mitigate the CO2 levels amongst other things.
    A dash for all electric vehicles may not prove to be the long term solution.
    Ive mentioned before that Hydrogen vehicles needs to be much more the focus of attention for research, along with opportunities for even cleaner carbon based fuels and lean burn engines.
    People are waiting before deciding to trade in their vehicles, there are many factors at play right now: Covid lack of job security, home working, reduced income, and of course electric v carbon fueled vehicles.
    Probably the biggest factor is “What type of fueled vehicle to buy” and electric vehicles are expensive and lack the charging infrastructure and carbon fueled may be difficult to resell.
    Sadly this is another initiative where the GOV has not really thought this through and the consequence of manufacturing job losses will hit the next election big time.

    1. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      Petrol, diesel, electric, hydrogen, e-fuel, cooking-oil etc
..I am all for choice and freedom of choice
      I just can’t understand why this government is shooting itself in the foot by banning petrol & diesel
      Allow the full mix allow choice

      1. Fred.H
        April 8, 2021

        ‘I just can’t understand’ — I can, its simply incompetence.

  52. mancunius
    April 7, 2021

    It can’t possibly be a coincidence that – as well as the extremely wealthy – the one class that will escape all the consequences of this failed energy policy that makes driving prohibitively expensive, are the inflation-immune, politicians at Westminster, who travel free. You might want to point out to your colleagues there, John, next time you get a chance, that their hypocrisy is daily on view, and far more clearly than they realize.

    1. mancunius
      April 7, 2021

      Edit: *are the inflation immune politicians at Westminster who travel free of charge to themselves, but at the taxpayers’ cost. *

  53. jon livesey
    April 7, 2021

    It’s entertaining how every discussion of motor vehicles becomes a nexus of various kinds of nuttiness. Cars are subject to the same kinds of consumer choice, cost, investment and Government regulation as any other product. The idea that politicians get up every morning looking for a new way to persecute motorists is a kind of shared mania that seems to give comfort to an amazing number of people.

    Oh, and whoever wrote “concern in the classic car World”, you made my day. As a fan of completely delusional notions detached from reality, I think that’s a keeper.

    1. Mark B
      April 8, 2021

      Cars are subject to the same kinds of consumer choice . . .

      Not when one (EV’s) is subsidised (for the wealthy) and the others (petrol and Diesel) are not, and that EV’s are far too expensive for most to buy and therefore beyond their price point.

      1. glen cullen
        April 8, 2021

        +1

  54. Fred.H
    April 7, 2021

    A small factor is Covid and closed showrooms. The biggest IMO is the doubt in wisdom of buying petrol and diesel expensive cars with Governments declaring end of new car sales. There is a perfectly valid market in sound used cars, most demonstrating 10 years minimum of good relaibility and value. So electric has benefitted, but not that much considering the above. So negative aspects must put off a market opportunity. Then finally it has to be said with the EU agreeing to 3rd countries taking production back – out of Europe, and UK prospective buyers reacting badly to EU since 2016 -there are plenty of explanations.

    1. glen cullen
      April 7, 2021

      Jaguar to cease production of petrol & diesel 2025 due to this government’s social engineering plans – the madness has started

      1. Fedupsoutherner
        April 8, 2021

        Glen I think Volvo are doing this too. After they have spent loads of dosh changing everything watch hydrogen take off.

        1. turboterrier
          April 8, 2021

          Glen Cullen

          +1 if it not had already.

        2. glen cullen
          April 8, 2021

          I just wonder if they’d be doing this if there wasn’t any subsidy

  55. Lindsay McDougall
    April 8, 2021

    Modern diesels are fine except in cities. So why doesn’t the Government say so and incentify the use of electric cars in cities. The provision of parking areas reserved for electric cars only would go some way towards kick starting the process. Another thing that needs thinking through is what sort of hybrid cars to encourage. Self charging hybrids hardly save a lot of fuel. So maybe we should discourage these and encourage the use of plug in hybrids, both petrol/electric hybrids and diesel/electric hybrids. A plug in diesel/electric hybrid could be used in diesel mode in the country and in electric mode in cities. We need Government to give the car industry a break and set out a schedule of progress towards electrification, doing it in such a way that individuals do not have to write off their investments before the end of the economic life of their cars.

    1. Fred.H
      April 8, 2021

      Constant confused mixed messages. Its heads or tails we lose.

    2. glen cullen
      April 8, 2021

      In a word ‘Carrie’

  56. XY
    April 8, 2021

    That’s what I’m doing – keeping my old diesel going. No point in doing anything else for the mileage I do now.

    But covid is not the main issue, it’s the electric car thing. I just don’t want one. And I don’t want to have to scrap a perfectly good car when the government introduce silly regulations to ban it.

    P.S. I don’t believe climate change science. There’s a long way to go to make their case.

  57. Malcolm White
    April 10, 2021

    I don’t know what proportion of passenger vehicles on the road have tow hitches for caravans or trailers, but it is my understanding that vehicles that do will have passed an homologation test to affirm their suitability to do so.
    This is not the general case for electric cars where manufacturer’s have chosen not to homologate the majority of their models because the extra weight of the batteries plus an acceptable towing load exceeds the capability of the drive train and brakes and would have a serious impact on range.
    I don’t use my trailer very often, but it’s a very useful thing to have for visits to the recycling centre, etc. I will therefore be keeping my petrol car for the foreseeable future and most likely beyond 2030.

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