Have just been watching news on TV and see Gordon is planning to offer up to £5000 towards cost of purchasing future electric cars etc - where will these plans for the future leave caravanners? What sort of weights will these cars be, and it would appear that the electric "charge" only lasts a few miles, how will we all be able to pull into to tight parking bays to recharge with a caravan on the back?!! What will happen to "touring", what if the electric runs out while stuck in traffic jams etc? What will happen to the caravan industry? What about the British Tourist industry? Just a thought!!!!........
Electric Cars/Hybrids?
- Thread starter Lorraine_5040934
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- Mar 14, 2005
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Despite technical advancements in battery design, pure electric cars are unlikely to become viable alternatives for towing caravans for the reasons that you have already mentioned. I am sure that there are still so many unresolved development issues with electric cars that towing ability is right on the bottom of the list of priorities for the manufacturers. I doubt whether they are even looking into determining towloads for such cars at present. It is therefore doubtful whether pure electric cars will be suitable as towcars in the foreseeable future.
The picture is a bit more promising with hybrid cars although, here too, most are currently not approved for towing. Neither the Toyota Prius nor the Honda Civic Hybrid have any towloads quoted in their brochures. The only model that I am aware of that is currently available with an approved towload is the Lexus 400h. I am planning to buy one myself in June/July so I hope to gather some experience with that model shortly.
The picture is a bit more promising with hybrid cars although, here too, most are currently not approved for towing. Neither the Toyota Prius nor the Honda Civic Hybrid have any towloads quoted in their brochures. The only model that I am aware of that is currently available with an approved towload is the Lexus 400h. I am planning to buy one myself in June/July so I hope to gather some experience with that model shortly.
- Mar 10, 2006
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There was a hybrid on the TV the other day. It was permanently driven by an electric motor (or more?).
But the batteries could be recharged with a small combustion engine.
I thought that was a good idea.
Lutz
Are there government subsidies towards hybrid cars in Germany?
But the batteries could be recharged with a small combustion engine.
I thought that was a good idea.
Lutz
Are there government subsidies towards hybrid cars in Germany?
- Mar 14, 2005
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No, hybrids are taxed exactly the same here in Germany as their petrol/diesel equivalents. Cars over here are taxed by engine size and Euro 1/2/3/4/5, etc. emissions categories. The government, cunning as it is, doesn't subsidise hybrids but penalises old cars, mainly those in Euro 1 and Euro 2 groups. They pay about twice as much annual tax.
Currently, however, there is a government scheme whereby one can get a 2500 Euro subsidy if you scrap a car that is at least 9 years old and you buy a new one.
Currently, however, there is a government scheme whereby one can get a 2500 Euro subsidy if you scrap a car that is at least 9 years old and you buy a new one.
My mate has the Toyota Prius, starts it off with electrical engagement, gets to the first bit of straight road, floors it. Now he is doing the same MPG has mine, pay's 15 quid road tax what load of B-----k-, just like our PM head in clouds.
What it come's down to in the end is sensible driving not subsidising pie in the sky idea's.
Lutz at least your goverment understand if you need to help the car industry you need to be positive not like our dim witted idiots that want to placate the green party as thats where they think they will get vote's for the next election.
Nearly every goverment in Europe are offering
What it come's down to in the end is sensible driving not subsidising pie in the sky idea's.
Lutz at least your goverment understand if you need to help the car industry you need to be positive not like our dim witted idiots that want to placate the green party as thats where they think they will get vote's for the next election.
Nearly every goverment in Europe are offering
- Mar 10, 2006
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What i can't understand is the logic in allowing' old polluting "classic" cars, to roam through the streets of London, toll free.
And just to rub our noses in it, also give them ZERO ved?
Two of my neighbours have old sport cars, in which they frequently pollute the air, just for fun.
And just to rub our noses in it, also give them ZERO ved?
Two of my neighbours have old sport cars, in which they frequently pollute the air, just for fun.
- Mar 14, 2005
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The 2500 Euro scrap bonus has come in for a lot of criticism here because most people who have been driving cars that are 9 years old or more generally don't have the means to buy anything more than a small car. As the German car industry has an emphasis on the upper middle class range rather than small cars, it's the foreign manufacturers that are benefitting from the scheme, not so much the jobs in Germany. The 2500 Euros are popular with the public, but they don't achieve their objective which was to consolidate jobs within the country.
I find this discussion interesting.
The other day I went to the bank and asked the interest rate for a personal loan to buy a car. (I dont need a loan but I was curious).
The answer I received was - well it depends on your credit rating, how long you have been with the bank, home owner etc, but will vary between 7-10%!
This
The other day I went to the bank and asked the interest rate for a personal loan to buy a car. (I dont need a loan but I was curious).
The answer I received was - well it depends on your credit rating, how long you have been with the bank, home owner etc, but will vary between 7-10%!
This
- Jul 15, 2008
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The future is obvious....... bring back the horse drawn caravan and take up growing roses with the resultant pollution!!
It looks inviting to me, l have a 1998 Shogun, two years ago it was worth 6k now due to bad press, credit crunch and the do gooder's of this world that tell me l have chelsea tractor that l don't need (living in a rural area what do they know) now can't give it away.
That leaves two options keep it and run it into the ground, tax is only
That leaves two options keep it and run it into the ground, tax is only
can't understand that one Lutz, my shogun must pollute more than the new model Shogun or any smaller old car.
NigelH
NigelH
Ray,
Most people who have classic cars (pre Jan 1973) use them very infrequently & have another car for their every day use.
I only did 500 miles in my MGB last year so I would be a bit pi55ed off if I had to pay tax on that as well. Gordon already gets road tax on my main vehicle & I cant drive both at once!!
As for poisoning the air with it - don't be ridiculous!
Peope with hybrids are conning themselves if they think they're greener that the rest. A small diesel is much more economical most of the time & doesn't contain all the precious (expensive to mine) metals & other nasties that the hybrid batteries do. Also, they're all made in Japan & they get here on a big ship that consumes more fuel & emits more crap in one voyage than all the cars on it ever will in their life times. Get real!!
Most people who have classic cars (pre Jan 1973) use them very infrequently & have another car for their every day use.
I only did 500 miles in my MGB last year so I would be a bit pi55ed off if I had to pay tax on that as well. Gordon already gets road tax on my main vehicle & I cant drive both at once!!
As for poisoning the air with it - don't be ridiculous!
Peope with hybrids are conning themselves if they think they're greener that the rest. A small diesel is much more economical most of the time & doesn't contain all the precious (expensive to mine) metals & other nasties that the hybrid batteries do. Also, they're all made in Japan & they get here on a big ship that consumes more fuel & emits more crap in one voyage than all the cars on it ever will in their life times. Get real!!
- Mar 10, 2006
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I know an old man(80 years) next door that uses his car once or twice a week to *** to the shops, his car is modern and less polluting.
Why should your highly polluting "classic" car be exempt?
A owner of a modern 4x4 probably is less polluting, but is expected to pay
Why should your highly polluting "classic" car be exempt?
A owner of a modern 4x4 probably is less polluting, but is expected to pay
no one has yet convinced me that plugging a car in to my 240v supply at home it going to be greener.
Where does my leccie come from? , aging dirty power stations that the government are currently telling us are not up to the supply demand of todays needs let alone those of a Electric car era.
I like the idea of the RX400h and it was one I had seriously considered but too few people seemed to have towed with one and I didn't want to gamble.
Nice to know Lutz is taking the plunge , watch out Lexus you may have a supply & demand problem !!!!
Where does my leccie come from? , aging dirty power stations that the government are currently telling us are not up to the supply demand of todays needs let alone those of a Electric car era.
I like the idea of the RX400h and it was one I had seriously considered but too few people seemed to have towed with one and I didn't want to gamble.
Nice to know Lutz is taking the plunge , watch out Lexus you may have a supply & demand problem !!!!
I personally think the subsidised scrapping of older cars is a complete con by the manufacturers that is an environmental disaster. there is a huge amount of carbon pumped into the atmosphere in making a car before it drives it's first mile. The disposal of the non recyclable bits of old cars is another problem. as discussed in the DMF topic, the complex electronics in new cars will make them too expensive to repair once they're out of warranty so many otherwise usable cars will be wasted.
Nigel, hang onto your old shogun! it will be a lot more reliable and greener than a new car, every mechanic I speak to moans about the electrical problems in new cars.
My 1989 Golf GTI only produced more CO2 than the latest model because it spent more time being driven and not in the garage for repairs.
There is too much of the earth's resources used in the production of motor cars, they should not be "disposable"
Nigel, hang onto your old shogun! it will be a lot more reliable and greener than a new car, every mechanic I speak to moans about the electrical problems in new cars.
My 1989 Golf GTI only produced more CO2 than the latest model because it spent more time being driven and not in the garage for repairs.
There is too much of the earth's resources used in the production of motor cars, they should not be "disposable"
Well the Range Rover would not half travelled half way around the world, not that I would ever touch one again.
But a 3.5 litre petrol hybrid. Sorry but 3.5 litres + electric motors that gives worse performance than comparable diesels! What's that all about!
As before, it's travelled how far to get to you when you could buy a better performing localy made car with localy sourced parts.
Hybrid Prius, that's another story of short sighted ECO ballony when you look at the Canada wastelands created but the batteries used in the car.
But a 3.5 litre petrol hybrid. Sorry but 3.5 litres + electric motors that gives worse performance than comparable diesels! What's that all about!
As before, it's travelled how far to get to you when you could buy a better performing localy made car with localy sourced parts.
Hybrid Prius, that's another story of short sighted ECO ballony when you look at the Canada wastelands created but the batteries used in the car.
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I don't what there is to complain about the hybrid Lexus, performancewise. Staying with the comparison with the Range Rover 3.6 TDV8 of similar engine size and power output, the 0 to 100km/h times are 9.2 seconds for the RR and 7 seconds for the hybrid, respectively. Speaks for itself, I think.
"Total power output is 295bhp (299 DIN hp), enabling a top speed of 124mph and 0 to 62mph acceleration in 7.8 seconds" Lexus figures according to Carpages reveiw on the 450.
I wouldn't compare the Lexus to a RR tank.
I've driven a couple of the older Lexus Hybrids. Firstly I wouldn't tow with one and secondly the owners have beeen very dissapointed with the fuel consumption especially when loaded.
3 + litres and then add electric motors to boost economy just does not add up to me! Sorry Lutz I think Lexus are having a laugh and that the car is aimed mainly for gullible yank market.
I wouldn't compare the Lexus to a RR tank.
I've driven a couple of the older Lexus Hybrids. Firstly I wouldn't tow with one and secondly the owners have beeen very dissapointed with the fuel consumption especially when loaded.
3 + litres and then add electric motors to boost economy just does not add up to me! Sorry Lutz I think Lexus are having a laugh and that the car is aimed mainly for gullible yank market.
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