The death knell for petrol engines

The death knell for petrol engines

Author
Discussion

RobDown

Original Poster:

3,803 posts

127 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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So Michael Gove has announced that sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2040.

Presumably won't be that far after that that someone bans existing cars from the road too frown

End of an era

One thing that irritates me in all of this is that the government seems to be making the natural assumption that electric is the only way forward (with all the problems attached to that in terms of electricity generation, producing batteries, infrastructure required for rapid recharging etc etc)

M5MarkM

1,534 posts

170 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Nuclear powered thats the way forward! Uranium Astons here we come.... On the bright side the appreciation on our n/a Astons will be great!

V8V Pete

2,496 posts

125 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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RobDown said:
So Michael Gove has announced that sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2040.

Presumably won't be that far after that that someone bans existing cars from the road too frown
But it really has to be at least 10 years (probably significantly longer) between the two which takes us to 2050 when I will be 82 so I feel much more sorry for future generations than myself.

HBradley

1,037 posts

180 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Think of the noise we'll make!! biggrin

shinjuku

476 posts

80 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Nothing like promising st for 23 years down the line.

The problem with air quality is Diesels anyway.

Jon39

12,782 posts

142 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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RobDown said:
So Michael Gove has announced that sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2040.

One thing that irritates me in all of this is that the government seems to be making the natural assumption that electric is the only way forward

Politicians use special speak.

I was amused by a recent PHers comment.
Went for trackday, with a friend and his Tesla.
Switched to Ludicrous Mode.
After 2 laps, the battery was flat.

What a disappointing day out.
Perhaps the journey home in the AA truck was more fun.








RobDown

Original Poster:

3,803 posts

127 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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I've already told my son he needs to work hard at school, earn enough to be able to buy a large plot of land and then build a track in it

Maybe the only way he'll be allowed to drive my GT8 when he's my age

silverspeed

1,505 posts

229 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Give it a few years and it will be all change . Doesn't seem like 5 minutes ago Diesels and hybrids were the way forward. What are we going to do with all the old batteries from this all electric generation of cars? Can't see them banning all ICE vehicles - the cars that are left will end up like current classics - stay in the garage for most of the year or spend time at the repairers - not driven. Looking forward to seeing the battery pack for the all electric A380 .

Simon Lane

452 posts

120 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Most of us will be using electric vehicles as every day transport long before 2040 IMHO. Every major manufacturer is pouring R&D resources into electric vehicles. The change was coming anyway, I think all the government have really done is to draw a line in the sand. We are all used to charging our devices every night, I guess charging our cars will just become routine.

Hopefully they won't ban using petrol cars before I am pushing up daisies. For me, the sound of a car is one of the most important factors on how much I enjoy driving it. Anyone remember the Lotus Esprit V8? On paper it looked great, but they made it sound awful with a flat plane crank and for me that just ruined the car. 'm not bothered about it so much for everyday use, but I can't imagine a blast up the Old Military Road in Scotland will be the same without a high performance engine singing a tune.

So here we are, literally at the end of an era as all exotic car manufacturers move to turbocharged engines. How long will we have them for before electrification takes over?

Fortunately, today you can (just) still buy a naturally aspirated Aston Martin and get drunk on induction noise & exhaust growl.

RobDown

Original Poster:

3,803 posts

127 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Well said Simon and agree that for mainstream use we probably wouldn't be buying petrol cars anyway in 2040.

My main concern though is that it's a small step then to town/cities banning them altogether

I was planning my dotage driving my AMR Roadster around Europe. Now I'm wondering just how easy that's going to be.

jonby

5,357 posts

156 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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RobDown said:
Well said Simon and agree that for mainstream use we probably wouldn't be buying petrol cars anyway in 2040.

My main concern though is that it's a small step then to town/cities banning them altogether
Indeed. Not only that, but there will be so much autonomy, I'm not sure we will overly care about what powers our DD or equivalent (will we even look to own cars for every day transport requirements, or will we just travel by electric/hydrogen self driving uber or equivalent ?)

RobDown said:
I was planning my dotage driving my AMR Roadster around Europe. Now I'm wondering just how easy that's going to be.
We will end up retiring to another country and shipping our cars there. Ideally, a group of fabulously wealthy petrolheads will essentially buy an enormous piece of land and create a giant, small country sized, retirement resort for petrolheads. Wales would be ideal in many ways.....

leerandle

743 posts

106 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Firstly, when had our government ever stuck to a promise.....personally I can't see it happening. I'm sure by then, the 'majority' of cars will be electric. What happens to all the existing diesel and petrol cars left ? You can't drive them on public roads...no chance. The government will just charge you a small fortune to drive them on public roads. Plus what will it do to the car market where prices for classics and super cars have been increasing drastically recently. Glad, by that date I'll have done most of my driving and using a bus pass to get around. Future kids will only be able to dream of the smell, sound and feeling of driving a petrol car.

Simon Lane

452 posts

120 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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leerandle said:
Future kids will only be able to dream of the smell, sound and feeling of driving a petrol car.
cry



jonby

5,357 posts

156 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Of course whilst there is bound to be a push to reduce the use of existing petrol engine cars in 2040, initially there probably won't be a ban on using existing cars. So will that lead to even more being spent on modding existing cars at the time ?

Also, if people don't like limited edition cars now, imagine the uproar when the very very very last petrol engine cars go on sale with their limited edition plaques. Last ever petrol engined Aston Martin would be quite something.

Simon Lane

452 posts

120 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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I think the biggest challenge to running 'classics' in the future will be the refuelling infrastructure. If we are all charging our cars at home overnight I'm not sure owning a petrol station will be a particularly great business model in 20 years time.

Talking of classics, this is slightly off topic I know, but I've just invested in this 1 owner, 1989 635 csi Highline which is pretty much as new, and I plan to keep it forever. Just hope I can still drive it! Its no Aston Martin, but at least it is red.......and my daughter's pram fits in the boot smile




morty1961

379 posts

181 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Also don't forget the moon's made of cheese

silverspeed

1,505 posts

229 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Simon Lane said:
I think the biggest challenge to running 'classics' in the future will be the refuelling infrastructure. If we are all charging our cars at home overnight I'm not sure owning a petrol station will be a particularly great business model in 20 years time.

Talking of classics, this is slightly off topic I know, but I've just invested in this 1 owner, 1989 635 csi Highline which is pretty much as new, and I plan to keep it forever. Just hope I can still drive it! Its no Aston Martin, but at least it is red.......and my daughter's pram fits in the boot smile



Great cars.

jonby

5,357 posts

156 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Simon Lane said:
I think the biggest challenge to running 'classics' in the future will be the refuelling infrastructure. If we are all charging our cars at home overnight I'm not sure owning a petrol station will be a particularly great business model in 20 years time.

Talking of classics, this is slightly off topic I know, but I've just invested in this 1 owner, 1989 635 csi Highline which is pretty much as new, and I plan to keep it forever. Just hope I can still drive it! Its no Aston Martin, but at least it is red.......and my daughter's pram fits in the boot smile

The car is stunning - I've always loved that shape

The fuel question is indeed worrying

shinjuku

476 posts

80 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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It's not possible to charge overnight for all cars—most cars are not parked on driveways overnight.

The whole idea is stupid, just a political distraction.

RobDown

Original Poster:

3,803 posts

127 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
quotequote all
morty1961 said:
Also don't forget the moon's made of cheese
Yes, Wensleydale I'm told smile