£75 charge for parents who do the school run in a 4x4 ‘gas guzzler’ (That’s $100 USA)

 

1. Maybe the UK car companies should figure out how to make a near-zero level emissions people mover of “city” size. Something along the lines of a little minivan that seats 6. Get special dispensation for crash worthiness if needed. Put in a little putt-putt engine with just enough power to either move it down the street or to run the generator for the motors and batteries. It doesn’t have to go fast, nor have extended range. 250 miles per fill up should be enough.

   Go to Italy and you’ll see the most microscopic little cars. I bet they already have a family hauler of the right size. All it would need is a new engine design. Leverage the knowledge of the locomotive builders: put in a clean diesel hooked up to a generator that powers a motor at each wheel. Oooh, 4 wheel drive!! Look to India to see how to build cars on the cheap that can handle rough roads.

   The solution is out there if people want to find it. If the primary reason Londoners are buying these “huge” 4x4s is status, then tax the crap out of them up front. But if they’re buying them because they have a transportation need, then a smaller, cleaner, more efficient solution can be found.

   PS - what is a “huge 4x4” in London terms? A Land Rover? Or are your streets being clogged with Chevy Suburbans and Ford Excursions and raised 4x4 quad cab extended bed full sized pickup trucks, which are huge personal vehicles even by American standards?

   Posted by Drew458       04/23/2008  at  11:59 AM  



2. That truly sounds like something out of San Francisco or Portland. But the car seat thing is creeping around here - they started raising the poundage - and also are talking about pets. Besides the obvious, anything to make a buck, this just smacks of stupid but now I smell these liberal control your life and make every aspect of life - a major disaster about to happen and just buy this (and follow our rules) and you will be taken care of. . .don’t and we will tax the heck out of you.

   And this is what the fiberals want so desperately for America - what a crock.

   Peiper those videos worked fine for me - sorry I didn’t email sooner, I am soooooooo busy here and falling behind more and more every day.

   Posted by wardmama4       04/23/2008  at  04:21 PM  



3. Sounds like Richmond is the UK’s version of San Francisco.

   Posted by GrumpyOldFart       04/24/2008  at  06:53 AM  

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