(h/t GWPF) The 330,443 people who have bought a new hybrid-powered car in the past two years are now wondering if they have been misled as to the environmental credentials of their transport choices.
In a classic case of “greenwashing,” it turns out that the cars they bought in good faith as better for the environment than conventional petrol- or diesel-engined models might now not be as clean as they had been led to believe.
They may also have to face the consequences of such vehicles dropping in value now that the government has included plug-in hybrids in its proposed ban on the sale of all fossil fuel-powered cars by 2035, five years ahead of the previous target for such a move.
A similar thing happened with diesel. Consumers bought into the low-CO2 benefits of the fuel, encouraged by the government via reduced taxation for the lowest-emitting models.
It was only when diesel was shown to produce high levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulates, affecting air quality particularly in large conurbations, that car taxation became less favorable, scare stories circulated and the values of diesel-engined cars plummeted.
Diesel accounted for 31.5 percent of all new-car sales in 2018 following a high of about 50 percent. That figure fell to 25.2 percent for 2019 – and continues to fall as consumers either reverted to petrol or considered battery-electric propulsion.
Thus hybrids gained in popularity. These consist of either conventional petrol or diesel engine combined with an electric motor powered by a small battery.
The electric motor assists the internal combustion engine and can usually power the car for short distances (on average about 30 miles) on battery power alone.
With doubts over diesel and serious concerns about the range of electric cars, hybrids seemed an excellent interim solution for consumers and car manufacturers.
The rise of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which you can charge as you might a fully electric car, was encouraged by a government grant towards the purchase price of such cutting-edge technology.
You might be as surprised as we were at the time when this grant was withdrawn, although it is too early to tell whether the values of used hybrids will tumble as spectacularly as those for diesel. I suspect not. …
This reflects that the state of public car-charging in the UK leaves a lot to be desired and is unlikely to improve substantially in the short term. The widespread adoption of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) will be limited for as long as this is the case.
Plug-in hybrids used properly – plugged in whenever possible – are, for now, the perfect handover.
And if you’re fuming about mixed messages from the government about which is the best type of car to reduce emissions and air pollution, spare a thought for the car manufacturers which have spent billions investing in plug-in hybrid technology that adds significant cost to their wares.
Read rest at Telegraph
England’s being run by the liberal Nit-Wits what ever happened with Rue Britania?
I had a sudden mental image of the company outing to the seaside shown in “Carry On At Your Convenience”. No more? No more coaching to rugby matches – who’s going to sing the songs? England won’t be English any more…..
Why should I as a modest taxpayer give subsidy money to rich virtue signallers buying expensive electric cars?
Many in Canada feel the same way. I will never be able to afford a new car. Ever. The Governments are increasing my cost of living drastically, a carbon tax on every single item I buy or use, in order to help people pay for their private electric cars. Welfare to the automobile industry. It doesn’t seem to bother EV owners that they have received a welfare cheque from those of us who cannot afford a new car. Disgusting leaches.
The same UK that spent money on electic police cars that dont work now they do this just how more rediculous can they get King Richard the Lion Heart Admiral Horatio Nelson and Winston Churchill are rolling in their graves
When people fing out just how inefficient EVs are and how inconvenient they will die out. The UK has zero chance of becoming 10% electric as it doesnt have the generating capacity nor the infrastructure for more than a couple per street.