It sounds more impressive when they don't mention that petrol hybrids (non plug in, so entirely petrol as the prime mover*) substantially out sell both.
Add petrol hybrids of this sort to the petrol manual tally, and petrol cars are still outselling EVs nearly 3-1.
* These are sold as more economical than manual petrols. They obviously are better in stop start traffic, but having tested my old 1.3 manual petrol Yaris against my dad's hybrid Yaris on a number of real world journeys, I got better MPG every trip. I do have a bit of an advantage, as I actually know how to drive a manual economically, most drivers are taught terrible habits - e.g. my wife was told to drive in the gear matching the speed limit - 2nd for 20mph, 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th gear for 40mph etc. Her car is quite short geared, it pulls 5th very happily from about 25mph unless you're going up steep hills.
Yes but driving that that will never allow you accelerate fast and hear the engine go VROOOM; which is my reason for keeping a petrol car. Electric cars can accelerate even faster but they don’t go VROOOOM.
But you can play a soundtrack of them going VROOOM if you really want to!
I am in the market for a new car (specifically, a #2 family car - i.e. the one which gets driven when someone else is driving the #1 family car). And I would love an electric. My problem is that my oldest daughter is 16 and will want to be driving next year - and as far as I can tell, the only way to affordably insure a 17 year old is on a 1.0 litre petrol car. Maybe next time...
It's early days yet! My 25 year-old step-daughter has made one attempt to pass her driving test but now seems to have given up, though she has made some noises about maybe doing it in an automatic. My 22 year-old son has passed his test, but now can't drive for medical reasons and wouldn't have a car anyway in London. So it may be a while before you need to consider your daughter's driving needs
Seriously, encourage her to drive. It's a genuine problem if you can't. She does not want to spend the rest of her life being subjected to the whims of taxi drivers or stuck in a train station late at night when it's cold, dark, rainy and the blokes at the end of the platform are walking towards you.
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
South Africa and South Korea really have done the dirty on Scotland.
Benpointers guide to Scotland's travel prospects:
Group D Australia v Paraguay has 'stitch-up' 'draw' written all over it, allowing both teams to qualify. Same in group F with Japan v Sweden, and of course group J with Algeria v Austria, who have previous in these things. But, those all involve third placed teams already above Scotland so don't really impact Scotland's chances.
Of those who might overtake Scotland:
Group E: I can't see either Ecuador beating Germany or Curaçao beating Ivory Coast, so nether of them are an issue. Group G: Belgium should beat NZ and Egypt v Iran could well be a draw so I'd expect Iran to push Scotland down to 8th place. Group H: Another possibility for a stitch-up in Spain v Uruguay where a draw lets Uruguay leap-frog Scotland but I suspect Spain will win that one. Group I: Likely that Senegal beat Iraq - Scotland now down to 9th place. Group K: Congo are going to beat Uzbekistan to push Scotland to 10th place Group L: Ghana beating Croatia be three goals would be handy but I can't see it happening.
Summary: "We're doomed!"
South Africa really put a spanner in the progression, that was a (by my reckoning) 65% chance of someone finishing below Scotland that fell by the wayside. Scotland still need 4 groups to come good
Group D : 75% chance of both Ivory Coast and Germany getting at least a draw.
Group E: Paraguay are one goal away from being in Scotland's position, so I reckon they will be going for it on the break and Australia will respond in kind. Australia winning 2-0 to put Paraguay below Scotland is a chance - also contingent on Turkey not beating the USA. About a 25% chance of a Scotland friendly result.
Group F: Japan need to beat Sweden by 4 goals to benefit Scotland, 2% chance.
Group G: Broadly Scotland's benefit is served by Egypt beating Iran, around a 35% chance
Group H: In an identical setup to Group G, Spain need to beat Uruguay for Scotland, around a 50% chance.
Group I: Senegal failing to beat Iraq is probably a 30% chance
Group J: This is the Algeria Austria one. Even with a suspicious eye. Austria beating Algeria by a couple is about a 30% chance.
Group K: Congo failing to beat Uzbekistan is about a 20% chance.
Group L: Yes, 3 goal Ghana win against Croatia not that likely (and England have also to avoid losing to Panama!). 5% chance at best all in.
So, aggregating, on average 2.6 teams finish below Scotland, for a likely 9th place finish.
Two beneficial results tonight would be really welcome.
I can see Scotland surviving in the top 8 tonight but not tomorrow night, albeit it may not be mathematically concluded until the last group has finished. I agree it's likely to be a 9th (possibly 10th) place finish in the 3rd place teams group.
Thanks to Ben and yourself for the analysis.
I note the SFA decision to give Steve Clarke a new 4 year contract immediately before the World Cup is coming under some scrutiny this morning. He's taken Scotland to 3 major tournaments in his tenure and won 1 game at finals in total, which somehow qualifies him to be "Scotland's most successful Head Coach of all time". I'd argue getting Scotland to 16 or 24 team World Cups/Euros regularly was potentially more challenging.
Moaning about the McGinn non penalty or having the world's 6th and 7th best ranked sides in your group is just fluff, ultimately the squad as a whole aren't good enough (and may also not be coached well), as the three performances exposed.
Typical of the blazers, they are feckin useless, we are now stuck with him for 4 years.
I wonder whether Clarke will voluntarily retire. I believe he thought he would do better, but his tactics are not sufficiently flexible.
I can see him not seeing out the full 4 years. May do Nations league/Euro qualifiers then retire. I dont think he can bothered with the hassle, given his response to the BBC last night.
There was a lot of optimism about getting through at least to the last 32 this time, which I wouldn't say was unrealistic. Each time he changed tactics it didn't work. The Scottish media aren't impressed with the playing out from the back nonsense we saw last night.
Incidentally UEFA have up to 2 spaces reserved for host nations who don't make it through qualifying for the next Euros. Not sure if this applies before or after the Nations league play offs, UEFA maybe don't know themselves yet. Could we see all 4 host Nations playing?
Reform need to throw some red meat to their supporters. This is urgent. Get Restore back into the party. Do it now!
Yep. They're losing far right hearts and minds.
The poll implies a Ref/Con/Grn swing to Lab surely?
Well done that Seal. It would imply that 50% (3/6) of the recovered Labour vote came from Reform, 33% (2/6) came from Green, and 17% (1/6) came from the LDs. Note this does not include votes that left during the Starmer Regime and are not coming back (at least yet)
South Africa and South Korea really have done the dirty on Scotland.
Benpointers guide to Scotland's travel prospects:
Group D Australia v Paraguay has 'stitch-up' 'draw' written all over it, allowing both teams to qualify. Same in group F with Japan v Sweden, and of course group J with Algeria v Austria, who have previous in these things. But, those all involve third placed teams already above Scotland so don't really impact Scotland's chances.
Of those who might overtake Scotland:
Group E: I can't see either Ecuador beating Germany or Curaçao beating Ivory Coast, so nether of them are an issue. Group G: Belgium should beat NZ and Egypt v Iran could well be a draw so I'd expect Iran to push Scotland down to 8th place. Group H: Another possibility for a stitch-up in Spain v Uruguay where a draw lets Uruguay leap-frog Scotland but I suspect Spain will win that one. Group I: Likely that Senegal beat Iraq - Scotland now down to 9th place. Group K: Congo are going to beat Uzbekistan to push Scotland to 10th place Group L: Ghana beating Croatia be three goals would be handy but I can't see it happening.
Summary: "We're doomed!"
South Africa really put a spanner in the progression, that was a (by my reckoning) 65% chance of someone finishing below Scotland that fell by the wayside. Scotland still need 4 groups to come good
Group D : 75% chance of both Ivory Coast and Germany getting at least a draw.
Group E: Paraguay are one goal away from being in Scotland's position, so I reckon they will be going for it on the break and Australia will respond in kind. Australia winning 2-0 to put Paraguay below Scotland is a chance - also contingent on Turkey not beating the USA. About a 25% chance of a Scotland friendly result.
Group F: Japan need to beat Sweden by 4 goals to benefit Scotland, 2% chance.
Group G: Broadly Scotland's benefit is served by Egypt beating Iran, around a 35% chance
Group H: In an identical setup to Group G, Spain need to beat Uruguay for Scotland, around a 50% chance.
Group I: Senegal failing to beat Iraq is probably a 30% chance
Group J: This is the Algeria Austria one. Even with a suspicious eye. Austria beating Algeria by a couple is about a 30% chance.
Group K: Congo failing to beat Uzbekistan is about a 20% chance.
Group L: Yes, 3 goal Ghana win against Croatia not that likely (and England have also to avoid losing to Panama!). 5% chance at best all in.
So, aggregating, on average 2.6 teams finish below Scotland, for a likely 9th place finish.
Two beneficial results tonight would be really welcome.
I can see Scotland surviving in the top 8 tonight but not tomorrow night, albeit it may not be mathematically concluded until the last group has finished. I agree it's likely to be a 9th (possibly 10th) place finish in the 3rd place teams group.
Thanks to Ben and yourself for the analysis.
I note the SFA decision to give Steve Clarke a new 4 year contract immediately before the World Cup is coming under some scrutiny this morning. He's taken Scotland to 3 major tournaments in his tenure and won 1 game at finals in total, which somehow qualifies him to be "Scotland's most successful Head Coach of all time". I'd argue getting Scotland to 16 or 24 team World Cups/Euros regularly was potentially more challenging.
Moaning about the McGinn non penalty or having the world's 6th and 7th best ranked sides in your group is just fluff, ultimately the squad as a whole aren't good enough (and may also not be coached well), as the three performances exposed.
Typical of the blazers, they are feckin useless, we are now stuck with him for 4 years.
I wonder whether Clarke will voluntarily retire. I believe he thought he would do better, but his tactics are not sufficiently flexible.
He was unlucky with Billy Gilmour being injured and McTominay somewhat out of form. Its not ideal having our 2 main goalkeepers not even getting a game for their clubs and several of our defenders are getting on too. But the biggest problem is up front. We haven't had a decent forward since Duncan Ferguson.
The real problem is that the problems are self perpetuating. Every time we don't get out of a group we pretty much guarantee that we will be in the third or fourth pot the next time with at least 2 strong teams in the group.
I wouldn't really blame Clarke. I think he does the best with what he has. The talent pool is just painful.
I think that’s quite harsh on Scotland. As a nation of 5 million, it’s always going to be harder to compete with countries of 50 million+. Realistically, what you need is a solid team with 1 or 2 world class players (Haaland for Norway or Modric for Croatia) and at the moment Scotland haven’t been lucky enough to have someone of that calibre.
I do think though that Scotland has too many professional football teams for the size of the country and that say merging Dunfermline and Raith into a Fife United would help raise competitiveness vs the big 2.
South Africa and South Korea really have done the dirty on Scotland.
Benpointers guide to Scotland's travel prospects:
Group D Australia v Paraguay has 'stitch-up' 'draw' written all over it, allowing both teams to qualify. Same in group F with Japan v Sweden, and of course group J with Algeria v Austria, who have previous in these things. But, those all involve third placed teams already above Scotland so don't really impact Scotland's chances.
Of those who might overtake Scotland:
Group E: I can't see either Ecuador beating Germany or Curaçao beating Ivory Coast, so nether of them are an issue. Group G: Belgium should beat NZ and Egypt v Iran could well be a draw so I'd expect Iran to push Scotland down to 8th place. Group H: Another possibility for a stitch-up in Spain v Uruguay where a draw lets Uruguay leap-frog Scotland but I suspect Spain will win that one. Group I: Likely that Senegal beat Iraq - Scotland now down to 9th place. Group K: Congo are going to beat Uzbekistan to push Scotland to 10th place Group L: Ghana beating Croatia be three goals would be handy but I can't see it happening.
Summary: "We're doomed!"
South Africa really put a spanner in the progression, that was a (by my reckoning) 65% chance of someone finishing below Scotland that fell by the wayside. Scotland still need 4 groups to come good
Group D : 75% chance of both Ivory Coast and Germany getting at least a draw.
Group E: Paraguay are one goal away from being in Scotland's position, so I reckon they will be going for it on the break and Australia will respond in kind. Australia winning 2-0 to put Paraguay below Scotland is a chance - also contingent on Turkey not beating the USA. About a 25% chance of a Scotland friendly result.
Group F: Japan need to beat Sweden by 4 goals to benefit Scotland, 2% chance.
Group G: Broadly Scotland's benefit is served by Egypt beating Iran, around a 35% chance
Group H: In an identical setup to Group G, Spain need to beat Uruguay for Scotland, around a 50% chance.
Group I: Senegal failing to beat Iraq is probably a 30% chance
Group J: This is the Algeria Austria one. Even with a suspicious eye. Austria beating Algeria by a couple is about a 30% chance.
Group K: Congo failing to beat Uzbekistan is about a 20% chance.
Group L: Yes, 3 goal Ghana win against Croatia not that likely (and England have also to avoid losing to Panama!). 5% chance at best all in.
So, aggregating, on average 2.6 teams finish below Scotland, for a likely 9th place finish.
Two beneficial results tonight would be really welcome.
I can see Scotland surviving in the top 8 tonight but not tomorrow night, albeit it may not be mathematically concluded until the last group has finished. I agree it's likely to be a 9th (possibly 10th) place finish in the 3rd place teams group.
Thanks to Ben and yourself for the analysis.
I note the SFA decision to give Steve Clarke a new 4 year contract immediately before the World Cup is coming under some scrutiny this morning. He's taken Scotland to 3 major tournaments in his tenure and won 1 game at finals in total, which somehow qualifies him to be "Scotland's most successful Head Coach of all time". I'd argue getting Scotland to 16 or 24 team World Cups/Euros regularly was potentially more challenging.
Moaning about the McGinn non penalty or having the world's 6th and 7th best ranked sides in your group is just fluff, ultimately the squad as a whole aren't good enough (and may also not be coached well), as the three performances exposed.
Typical of the blazers, they are feckin useless, we are now stuck with him for 4 years.
I wonder whether Clarke will voluntarily retire. I believe he thought he would do better, but his tactics are not sufficiently flexible.
He was unlucky with Billy Gilmour being injured and McTominay somewhat out of form. Its not ideal having our 2 main goalkeepers not even getting a game for their clubs and several of our defenders are getting on too. But the biggest problem is up front. We haven't had a decent forward since Duncan Ferguson.
The real problem is that the problems are self perpetuating. Every time we don't get out of a group we pretty much guarantee that we will be in the third or fourth pot the next time with at least 2 strong teams in the group.
I wouldn't really blame Clarke. I think he does the best with what he has. The talent pool is just painful.
I think that’s quite harsh on Scotland. As a nation of 5 million, it’s always going to be harder to compete with countries of 50 million+. Realistically, what you need is a solid team with 1 or 2 world class players (Haaland for Norway or Modric for Croatia) and at the moment Scotland haven’t been lucky enough to have someone of that calibre.
I do think though that Scotland has too many professional football teams for the size of the country and that say merging Dunfermline and Raith into a Fife United would help raise competitiveness vs the big 2.
It sounds more impressive when they don't mention that petrol hybrids (non plug in, so entirely petrol as the prime mover*) substantially out sell both.
Add petrol hybrids of this sort to the petrol manual tally, and petrol cars are still outselling EVs nearly 3-1.
* These are sold as more economical than manual petrols. They obviously are better in stop start traffic, but having tested my old 1.3 manual petrol Yaris against my dad's hybrid Yaris on a number of real world journeys, I got better MPG every trip. I do have a bit of an advantage, as I actually know how to drive a manual economically, most drivers are taught terrible habits - e.g. my wife was told to drive in the gear matching the speed limit - 2nd for 20mph, 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th gear for 40mph etc. Her car is quite short geared, it pulls 5th very happily from about 25mph unless you're going up steep hills.
Yes but driving that that will never allow you accelerate fast and hear the engine go VROOOM; which is my reason for keeping a petrol car. Electric cars can accelerate even faster but they don’t go VROOOOM.
But you can play a soundtrack of them going VROOOM if you really want to!
I am in the market for a new car (specifically, a #2 family car - i.e. the one which gets driven when someone else is driving the #1 family car). And I would love an electric. My problem is that my oldest daughter is 16 and will want to be driving next year - and as far as I can tell, the only way to affordably insure a 17 year old is on a 1.0 litre petrol car. Maybe next time...
It's early days yet! My 25 year-old step-daughter has made one attempt to pass her driving test but now seems to have given up, though she has made some noises about maybe doing it in an automatic. My 22 year-old son has passed his test, but now can't drive for medical reasons and wouldn't have a car anyway in London. So it may be a while before you need to consider your daughter's driving needs
The ability to rent a car whilst at uni (say, to move digs or to get home) does have utility tho'.
Sadly those of us with August birthdays are under 21 before we leave a three-year degree...
And barely 18 when we start it. Having right through school been the youngest in class. No allowances are made for these obstacles. You just have to crack on with things.
Yes, I'm an August-born too. While I was academically able enough to keep up, being the youngest in the class puts one at something of a disadvantage when it comes to sports and general self-confidence. It's no coincidence that the top UK sportsmen and women are more likely to have been born in September than in August.
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
It sounds more impressive when they don't mention that petrol hybrids (non plug in, so entirely petrol as the prime mover*) substantially out sell both.
Add petrol hybrids of this sort to the petrol manual tally, and petrol cars are still outselling EVs nearly 3-1.
* These are sold as more economical than manual petrols. They obviously are better in stop start traffic, but having tested my old 1.3 manual petrol Yaris against my dad's hybrid Yaris on a number of real world journeys, I got better MPG every trip. I do have a bit of an advantage, as I actually know how to drive a manual economically, most drivers are taught terrible habits - e.g. my wife was told to drive in the gear matching the speed limit - 2nd for 20mph, 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th gear for 40mph etc. Her car is quite short geared, it pulls 5th very happily from about 25mph unless you're going up steep hills.
Yes but driving that that will never allow you accelerate fast and hear the engine go VROOOM; which is my reason for keeping a petrol car. Electric cars can accelerate even faster but they don’t go VROOOOM.
But you can play a soundtrack of them going VROOOM if you really want to!
I am in the market for a new car (specifically, a #2 family car - i.e. the one which gets driven when someone else is driving the #1 family car). And I would love an electric. My problem is that my oldest daughter is 16 and will want to be driving next year - and as far as I can tell, the only way to affordably insure a 17 year old is on a 1.0 litre petrol car. Maybe next time...
It's early days yet! My 25 year-old step-daughter has made one attempt to pass her driving test but now seems to have given up, though she has made some noises about maybe doing it in an automatic. My 22 year-old son has passed his test, but now can't drive for medical reasons and wouldn't have a car anyway in London. So it may be a while before you need to consider your daughter's driving needs
Seriously, encourage her to drive. It's a genuine problem if you can't. She does not want to spend the rest of her life being subjected to the whims of taxi drivers or stuck in a train station late at night when it's cold, dark, rainy and the blokes at the end of the platform are walking towards you.
Definitely encourage daughters especially to drive.
I was very lucky with my personal friend group aged 17-18, we all learned how to drive and we’d take it in turns to be ‘Des’ on a night out. The rules were that the guy driving didn’t pay for any (soft, obviously) drinks, and we’d chip in a couple of quid each for his petrol and parking costs.
For ladies it’s even more important to have a sober friend who drops you at your door, no dealing with taxi drivers or trying to find your own way home.
Oh, and don’t drink and drive. Ever. It’s not worth it, can totally screw up your life at a very young age. I knew a few who made this mistake, at a cost of jobs and relationships. No you’re not invincible.
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
Trying and probably failing - after all my initial response to anything like that is thanks for the issue, but I pay you to also provide solutions not just problems.
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
Trying and probably failing - after all my initial response to anything like that is thanks for the issue, but I pay you to also provide solutions not just problems.
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
No.
I read that 5 test thing yesterday and by the end of it I decided that he is a dogmatic ex armed forces type with scant hinterland and a propensity to a bullying tone. It's a wish list, and done in an impatient soldierly way which would go down OK in the pub. What he fails to deal with is the fact that until five minutes ago he was a minister in the government he now denounces. He also misses out the crucial 'how is this done' aspect of real politics.
Worth a look before, rightly, writing him off as a serious player.
Reform need to throw some red meat to their supporters. This is urgent. Get Restore back into the party. Do it now!
Yep. They're losing far right hearts and minds.
The poll implies a Ref/Con/Grn swing to Lab surely?
Well done that Seal. It would imply that 50% (3/6) of the recovered Labour vote came from Reform, 33% (2/6) came from Green, and 17% (1/6) came from the LDs. Note this does not include votes that left during the Starmer Regime and are not coming back (at least yet)
Thanks. When I said Con I meant LD. I blame the heat.
It sounds more impressive when they don't mention that petrol hybrids (non plug in, so entirely petrol as the prime mover*) substantially out sell both.
Add petrol hybrids of this sort to the petrol manual tally, and petrol cars are still outselling EVs nearly 3-1.
* These are sold as more economical than manual petrols. They obviously are better in stop start traffic, but having tested my old 1.3 manual petrol Yaris against my dad's hybrid Yaris on a number of real world journeys, I got better MPG every trip. I do have a bit of an advantage, as I actually know how to drive a manual economically, most drivers are taught terrible habits - e.g. my wife was told to drive in the gear matching the speed limit - 2nd for 20mph, 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th gear for 40mph etc. Her car is quite short geared, it pulls 5th very happily from about 25mph unless you're going up steep hills.
Yes but driving that that will never allow you accelerate fast and hear the engine go VROOOM; which is my reason for keeping a petrol car. Electric cars can accelerate even faster but they don’t go VROOOOM.
But you can play a soundtrack of them going VROOOM if you really want to!
I am in the market for a new car (specifically, a #2 family car - i.e. the one which gets driven when someone else is driving the #1 family car). And I would love an electric. My problem is that my oldest daughter is 16 and will want to be driving next year - and as far as I can tell, the only way to affordably insure a 17 year old is on a 1.0 litre petrol car. Maybe next time...
It's early days yet! My 25 year-old step-daughter has made one attempt to pass her driving test but now seems to have given up, though she has made some noises about maybe doing it in an automatic. My 22 year-old son has passed his test, but now can't drive for medical reasons and wouldn't have a car anyway in London. So it may be a while before you need to consider your daughter's driving needs
Seriously, encourage her to drive. It's a genuine problem if you can't. She does not want to spend the rest of her life being subjected to the whims of taxi drivers or stuck in a train station late at night when it's cold, dark, rainy and the blokes at the end of the platform are walking towards you.
Oh, both her mother and I have strongly encouraged her to keep going, but she just seems to have lost the confidence and will to do it. It doesn't help that we live in a location that is well served by public transport, and she currently has a boyfriend who is happy to drive her around. Obviously I'm also happy to provide taxi services. But you're quite right. A driving licence is very useful. Even an automatic one would be OK, given the increasing prevalence of automatics.
By mistake I just listened to the one o'clock news a day late. There's an interview with Jeremy Hunt about maternity care when he was health minister. He's remarkably articulate and clear sighted. How on earth did they manage to let him go and end up being led by a donkey like Badenoch?
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
No.
I read that 5 test thing yesterday and by the end of it I decided that he is a dogmatic ex armed forces type with scant hinterland and a propensity to a bullying tone. It's a wish list, and done in an impatient soldierly way which would go down OK in the pub. What he fails to deal with is the fact that until five minutes ago he was a minister in the government he now denounces. He also misses out the crucial 'how is this done' aspect of real politics.
Worth a look before, rightly, writing him off as a serious player.
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
No.
I read that 5 test thing yesterday and by the end of it I decided that he is a dogmatic ex armed forces type with scant hinterland and a propensity to a bullying tone. It's a wish list, and done in an impatient soldierly way which would go down OK in the pub. What he fails to deal with is the fact that until five minutes ago he was a minister in the government he now denounces. He also misses out the crucial 'how is this done' aspect of real politics.
Worth a look before, rightly, writing him off as a serious player.
But... the cut of his jib?
I love the way he says, having listed five impossible goals or overwhelming complexity, which would be a universal wish list, and I quote:
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
Trying and probably failing - after all my initial response to anything like that is thanks for the issue, but I pay you to also provide solutions not just problems.
Surely there are another 80 who don't believe in a shoo-in for Burnham? Even if they support Mr Self-Entitlement. Let him demonstrate that he's got what it takes - coz he certainly didn't the last time he ran for the leadership.
'I don't think anyone can doubt my commitment to the prime minister' - Rachel Reeves
Reeves tells Burnham to 'stick to what I'm doing' which presumably means to shuffle into the front of any photo shoot whilst feigning loyalty to the current PM
Does anyone think that Al Carns might be trying to find 81 supporters to make a contest?
He might have more chance of becoming leader if he defected to the Tories and challenged Badenoch.
Al says, in that manifesto, that he's not interested in who gets what job. It's not about that. It's about the debate. He couldn't be clearer.
He's where Wes was until Monday. Wes wanted a battle of ideas but having talked to Andy and realised how much common ground there is he now sees no point wasting the summer litigating small points of difference.
It sounds more impressive when they don't mention that petrol hybrids (non plug in, so entirely petrol as the prime mover*) substantially out sell both.
Add petrol hybrids of this sort to the petrol manual tally, and petrol cars are still outselling EVs nearly 3-1.
* These are sold as more economical than manual petrols. They obviously are better in stop start traffic, but having tested my old 1.3 manual petrol Yaris against my dad's hybrid Yaris on a number of real world journeys, I got better MPG every trip. I do have a bit of an advantage, as I actually know how to drive a manual economically, most drivers are taught terrible habits - e.g. my wife was told to drive in the gear matching the speed limit - 2nd for 20mph, 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th gear for 40mph etc. Her car is quite short geared, it pulls 5th very happily from about 25mph unless you're going up steep hills.
Yes but driving that that will never allow you accelerate fast and hear the engine go VROOOM; which is my reason for keeping a petrol car. Electric cars can accelerate even faster but they don’t go VROOOOM.
But you can play a soundtrack of them going VROOOM if you really want to!
I am in the market for a new car (specifically, a #2 family car - i.e. the one which gets driven when someone else is driving the #1 family car). And I would love an electric. My problem is that my oldest daughter is 16 and will want to be driving next year - and as far as I can tell, the only way to affordably insure a 17 year old is on a 1.0 litre petrol car. Maybe next time...
It's early days yet! My 25 year-old step-daughter has made one attempt to pass her driving test but now seems to have given up, though she has made some noises about maybe doing it in an automatic. My 22 year-old son has passed his test, but now can't drive for medical reasons and wouldn't have a car anyway in London. So it may be a while before you need to consider your daughter's driving needs
The ability to rent a car whilst at uni (say, to move digs or to get home) does have utility tho'.
Sadly those of us with August birthdays are under 21 before we leave a three-year degree...
And barely 18 when we start it. Having right through school been the youngest in class. No allowances are made for these obstacles. You just have to crack on with things.
On the other hand, I am rather enjoying being (just!) in my early 40s and pointing that out to all my mid 40s friends.
It sounds more impressive when they don't mention that petrol hybrids (non plug in, so entirely petrol as the prime mover*) substantially out sell both.
Add petrol hybrids of this sort to the petrol manual tally, and petrol cars are still outselling EVs nearly 3-1.
* These are sold as more economical than manual petrols. They obviously are better in stop start traffic, but having tested my old 1.3 manual petrol Yaris against my dad's hybrid Yaris on a number of real world journeys, I got better MPG every trip. I do have a bit of an advantage, as I actually know how to drive a manual economically, most drivers are taught terrible habits - e.g. my wife was told to drive in the gear matching the speed limit - 2nd for 20mph, 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th gear for 40mph etc. Her car is quite short geared, it pulls 5th very happily from about 25mph unless you're going up steep hills.
Yes but driving that that will never allow you accelerate fast and hear the engine go VROOOM; which is my reason for keeping a petrol car. Electric cars can accelerate even faster but they don’t go VROOOOM.
But you can play a soundtrack of them going VROOOM if you really want to!
I am in the market for a new car (specifically, a #2 family car - i.e. the one which gets driven when someone else is driving the #1 family car). And I would love an electric. My problem is that my oldest daughter is 16 and will want to be driving next year - and as far as I can tell, the only way to affordably insure a 17 year old is on a 1.0 litre petrol car. Maybe next time...
It's early days yet! My 25 year-old step-daughter has made one attempt to pass her driving test but now seems to have given up, though she has made some noises about maybe doing it in an automatic. My 22 year-old son has passed his test, but now can't drive for medical reasons and wouldn't have a car anyway in London. So it may be a while before you need to consider your daughter's driving needs
The ability to rent a car whilst at uni (say, to move digs or to get home) does have utility tho'.
Sadly those of us with August birthdays are under 21 before we leave a three-year degree...
Europcar used to do it and a quick look suggests they still do. Unfortunately I've not been under 21 for a very long time.
So after the pitch at Lords - basically a minefield for batsman, we now have a road at Trent Bridge. It ought not be beyond the wit of groundsmen to make a pitch with something for both?
It sounds more impressive when they don't mention that petrol hybrids (non plug in, so entirely petrol as the prime mover*) substantially out sell both.
Add petrol hybrids of this sort to the petrol manual tally, and petrol cars are still outselling EVs nearly 3-1.
* These are sold as more economical than manual petrols. They obviously are better in stop start traffic, but having tested my old 1.3 manual petrol Yaris against my dad's hybrid Yaris on a number of real world journeys, I got better MPG every trip. I do have a bit of an advantage, as I actually know how to drive a manual economically, most drivers are taught terrible habits - e.g. my wife was told to drive in the gear matching the speed limit - 2nd for 20mph, 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th gear for 40mph etc. Her car is quite short geared, it pulls 5th very happily from about 25mph unless you're going up steep hills.
Yes but driving that that will never allow you accelerate fast and hear the engine go VROOOM; which is my reason for keeping a petrol car. Electric cars can accelerate even faster but they don’t go VROOOOM.
But you can play a soundtrack of them going VROOOM if you really want to!
I am in the market for a new car (specifically, a #2 family car - i.e. the one which gets driven when someone else is driving the #1 family car). And I would love an electric. My problem is that my oldest daughter is 16 and will want to be driving next year - and as far as I can tell, the only way to affordably insure a 17 year old is on a 1.0 litre petrol car. Maybe next time...
It's early days yet! My 25 year-old step-daughter has made one attempt to pass her driving test but now seems to have given up, though she has made some noises about maybe doing it in an automatic. My 22 year-old son has passed his test, but now can't drive for medical reasons and wouldn't have a car anyway in London. So it may be a while before you need to consider your daughter's driving needs
The ability to rent a car whilst at uni (say, to move digs or to get home) does have utility tho'.
Sadly those of us with August birthdays are under 21 before we leave a three-year degree...
And barely 18 when we start it. Having right through school been the youngest in class. No allowances are made for these obstacles. You just have to crack on with things.
On the other hand, I am rather enjoying being (just!) in my early 40s and pointing that out to all my mid 40s friends.
Yep. Is good.
But on the other other hand my peer age mates have got their mitts on the state pension whereas I have to wait till next year.
Relief is here, in western Washington state; after three hot days, we now have cool weather, and are likely to get some rain soon, perhaps even starting this evening. (The hot weather is unusual, especially this early; people here like to say that summer begins on July 5th.)
Could our cooler temperatures be headed your way? Ask your favorite local meteorologist for an informed opinion. But it wouldn't surprise me.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
So after the pitch at Lords - basically a minefield for batsman, we now have a road at Trent Bridge. It ought not be beyond the wit of groundsmen to make a pitch with something for both?
I guess that was the Oval, despite expectations it would be a road.
So after the pitch at Lords - basically a minefield for batsman, we now have a road at Trent Bridge. It ought not be beyond the wit of groundsmen to make a pitch with something for both?
By lunch on day 4 it might be hard to bat (if England have avoided the quick innings defeat). Great toss to win.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
That’s because the government are fining companies who don’t make a percentage quota of EVs.
Petrol cars are selling over list price and EVs are being deeply discounted, because of govt intervention in the market.
It’s helping no-one, except perhaps a few rich recent retirees with a drive paying cash for a new EV.
Does anyone think that Al Carns might be trying to find 81 supporters to make a contest?
He might have more chance of becoming leader if he defected to the Tories and challenged Badenoch.
Al says, in that manifesto, that he's not interested in who gets what job. It's not about that. It's about the debate. He couldn't be clearer.
He's where Wes was until Monday. Wes wanted a battle of ideas but having talked to Andy and realised how much common ground there is he now sees no point wasting the summer litigating small points of difference.
I think Al might be on a journey to there too.
"Wes wanted a battle of ideas!" then realised his were all crap!
Relief is here, in western Washington state; after three hot days, we now have cool weather, and are likely to get some rain soon, perhaps even starting this evening. (The hot weather is unusual, especially this early; people here like to say that summer begins on July 5th.)
Could our cooler temperatures be headed your way? Ask your favorite local meteorologist for an informed opinion. But it wouldn't surprise me.
The weather is forecast to break at the weekend, with some heavy showers starting from tomorrow - but it will drop from highs in the mid 30s (low 90s F) to highs in the low 20s (mid 70s F) - which is still on the warm side for the time of year.
It sounds more impressive when they don't mention that petrol hybrids (non plug in, so entirely petrol as the prime mover*) substantially out sell both.
Add petrol hybrids of this sort to the petrol manual tally, and petrol cars are still outselling EVs nearly 3-1.
* These are sold as more economical than manual petrols. They obviously are better in stop start traffic, but having tested my old 1.3 manual petrol Yaris against my dad's hybrid Yaris on a number of real world journeys, I got better MPG every trip. I do have a bit of an advantage, as I actually know how to drive a manual economically, most drivers are taught terrible habits - e.g. my wife was told to drive in the gear matching the speed limit - 2nd for 20mph, 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th gear for 40mph etc. Her car is quite short geared, it pulls 5th very happily from about 25mph unless you're going up steep hills.
Yes but driving that that will never allow you accelerate fast and hear the engine go VROOOM; which is my reason for keeping a petrol car. Electric cars can accelerate even faster but they don’t go VROOOOM.
But you can play a soundtrack of them going VROOOM if you really want to!
I am in the market for a new car (specifically, a #2 family car - i.e. the one which gets driven when someone else is driving the #1 family car). And I would love an electric. My problem is that my oldest daughter is 16 and will want to be driving next year - and as far as I can tell, the only way to affordably insure a 17 year old is on a 1.0 litre petrol car. Maybe next time...
My daughter -aged 18- hasn't bothered to learn to drive here in LA. She's off to Boston for college in September, so I think it's unlikely that she'll bother until after she graduates at 21-22.
My son -aged 16- has told me he plans to learn over the summer break. I've offered to pay for lessons, but he has to do the organizing; getting his provisional license, etc. He hasn't bothered yet, and I suspect he will continue not bothering over the entire holiday period. His girlfriend -also aged 16- passed her test pretty much on her birthday, so he may also simply be relying on her to be his personal Uber service.
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
Trying and probably failing - after all my initial response to anything like that is thanks for the issue, but I pay you to also provide solutions not just problems.
Surely there are another 80 who don't believe in a shoo-in for Burnham? Even if they support Mr Self-Entitlement. Let him demonstrate that he's got what it takes - coz he certainly didn't the last time he ran for the leadership.
I think it would have been wise, he's currently reflecting everyone's hopes and dreams while appointing blue labourite corporate lobbyist Purnell and making approving noises about Rejoin, Brexit, any other policy idea.
So after the pitch at Lords - basically a minefield for batsman, we now have a road at Trent Bridge. It ought not be beyond the wit of groundsmen to make a pitch with something for both?
By lunch on day 4 it might be hard to bat (if England have avoided the quick innings defeat). Great toss to win.
It sounds more impressive when they don't mention that petrol hybrids (non plug in, so entirely petrol as the prime mover*) substantially out sell both.
Add petrol hybrids of this sort to the petrol manual tally, and petrol cars are still outselling EVs nearly 3-1.
* These are sold as more economical than manual petrols. They obviously are better in stop start traffic, but having tested my old 1.3 manual petrol Yaris against my dad's hybrid Yaris on a number of real world journeys, I got better MPG every trip. I do have a bit of an advantage, as I actually know how to drive a manual economically, most drivers are taught terrible habits - e.g. my wife was told to drive in the gear matching the speed limit - 2nd for 20mph, 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th gear for 40mph etc. Her car is quite short geared, it pulls 5th very happily from about 25mph unless you're going up steep hills.
I used to drive a petrol Yaris and would get 58-60 mpg quite well. My current Auris will just about do that, but is a much bigger car.
Yes, your example illustrates the admittedly rather vague point I'm making, which is that the classification of (non plug-in) hybrids as being qualitatively different from petrols and diesels seems a bit green-washy. While any technologies that improve efficiency are to be welcomed, and your upgrade is certainly good from a personal point of view, moving from a small car to a large car with the same consumption is hardly the major environmental gain implied by a move from petrol to hybrid.
BTW, this is in no way meant to be a criticism of you! It's rather a criticism of what seems like some cynical marketing by the car companies.
Don't worry - I understand your point. And at the time it was the Auris vs a diesel Skoda Octavia...
My diesel Passat (bigger than an Octavia, but same drive train) will do 60mpg on a run without breaking a sweat. What does kill fuel consumption is short journeys - it wastes huge amounts of fuel warming the DPF up on startup.
Volvo briefly flirted with a diesel estate hybrid with the hybrid powertrain on the rear axle, conventional ICE setup on the front axle. Done right, that should have been phenomenally economical, as you could leave warming up the emissions system until the vehicle was moving at highway speeds (when if could be warmed up for free by waste heat) rather than throwing fuel down the exhaust to get the DPF to temperature in the mile or so I drive from home before getting to a fast A road.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
That’s because the government are fining companies who don’t make a percentage quota of EVs.
Petrol cars are selling over list price and EVs are being deeply discounted, because of govt intervention in the market.
It’s helping no-one, except perhaps a few rich recent retirees with a drive paying cash for a new EV.
I agree with you that -except for support for charging infrastructure- the government should butt out the market.
But the data is that, once you've bought an electric car, you never go back. Take Sweden; they ended EV subsidies back in 2022... and you know what, 60% of new cars there are electric.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
That’s because the government are fining companies who don’t make a percentage quota of EVs.
Petrol cars are selling over list price and EVs are being deeply discounted, because of govt intervention in the market.
It’s helping no-one, except perhaps a few rich recent retirees with a drive paying cash for a new EV.
I agree with you that -except for support for charging infrastructure- the government should butt out the market.
But the data is that, once you've bought an electric car, you never go back. Take Sweden; they ended EV subsidies back in 2022... and you know what, 60% of new cars there are electric.
However the EV changeover is massively regressive if you’re living in a rented apartment, relying on expensive public chargers rather than off-peak home tariffs.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
In the UK it's as much about infrastructure (or lack of it), particularly along streets, as it is the cars themselves.
Hybrids sell themselves on their significantly better fuel consumption, and perhaps their ability (sometimes) to mimic the quietness of an EV when you're driving slowly in residential areas. The only real downside is the somewhat higher initial outlay, and perhaps the relatively narrow range of options on offer.
It’s like shooting fish in a barrel at this point. How do you send drones 1,500km during the day, and they still make it to their target?
Someone somewhere has made a very detailed map of Russian air defence installations.
Too many targets over too large an area to cover.
Our air defences wouldn’t get close to surviving an attack the size of those we regularly see in Ukraine and Russia.
We have know this for decades but never done anything about it.
Our only defence against the likes of Iklanders are the type 45 destroyer and the Navy wants those to protect their Carriers not our half dozen oil refineries!
Peter.
the Type 45's probably only have a handful of missiles each to boot.
Do you mean capacity (48) or how many actually on board?
It hardly matters as with Grangemouth closing we would need to put one destroyer at each of them and that's Mersey, Tyne, Humber, Pembroke, the Thames and near the Isle of White so too thinly spread to mutually support and that leaves Naval ports undefended if they go for a mass balastic attack.
The main threat is still cruise missiles but give Russia started introducing them in the 90's we really have ben sleeping .
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
The cost equation seems to favour EVs. I was looking at a plug-in hybrid with 100Km electric range. Requires a motor, ICE engine and an electric generator. Or you can buy a simpler, cheaper EV with 300Km range. Charging is cheaper than petrol. You are paying a lot to avoid range anxiety.
E writes: “I was in Portcullis House earlier this week and heard a loud and long farting sound from someone walking past. I turned around to see what it was and was a little surprised to see former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns”.
E writes: “I was in Portcullis House earlier this week and heard a loud and long farting sound from someone walking past. I turned around to see what it was and was a little surprised to see former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns”.
Which politician had a saucy beginning to her political career? She was supposedly shagging a (married) councillor whose spouse found out and promptly kicked him out. Distraught, the jilted councillor went to stay in the house of his local MP.
His affair partner promptly turned up, armed with bacon sandwiches, to find out if her lover was doing okay. Instead, she got chatting to the MP who owned the house.
Who was apparently so impressive that she decided on a new political career path on the spot. Handy, really.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
In the UK it's as much about infrastructure (or lack of it), particularly along streets, as it is the cars themselves.
Hybrids sell themselves on their significantly better fuel consumption, and perhaps their ability (sometimes) to mimic the quietness of an EV when you're driving slowly in residential areas. The only real downside is the somewhat higher initial outlay, and perhaps the relatively narrow range of options on offer.
I have a feeling by the end of the decade things will have reversed since just 2010.
Then people said;
"Electric cars are rubbish! You can't even go 100 miles and they take 10 hours to charge!
There is hardly anywhere you can charge them anyway and they cost a fortune!"
In 2030 they will be saying;
"Petrol...they can only go 500 miles, take nearly 9 seconds to get to 60, you need to go to a filling station and they are all closing now.
My electric easy does a 1,000 miles, charges in 5 minutes almost anywhere and does nothing to 60 is less than 3 seconds!"
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
That’s because the government are fining companies who don’t make a percentage quota of EVs.
Petrol cars are selling over list price and EVs are being deeply discounted, because of govt intervention in the market.
It’s helping no-one, except perhaps a few rich recent retirees with a drive paying cash for a new EV.
I agree with you that -except for support for charging infrastructure- the government should butt out the market.
But the data is that, once you've bought an electric car, you never go back. Take Sweden; they ended EV subsidies back in 2022... and you know what, 60% of new cars there are electric.
However the EV changeover is massively regressive if you’re living in a rented apartment, relying on expensive public chargers rather than off-peak home tariffs.
Or in high density urban areas like where I live in Leith. There is no guarantee of finding a parking space on my street, let alone outside my flat. Even if I could guarantee a space directly outside, there's no way of running a cable out to the car. Government (local/devolved/national) would need to provide public charging infrastructure, or at least remove barriers so private operators could step in.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
That’s because the government are fining companies who don’t make a percentage quota of EVs.
Petrol cars are selling over list price and EVs are being deeply discounted, because of govt intervention in the market.
It’s helping no-one, except perhaps a few rich recent retirees with a drive paying cash for a new EV.
I agree with you that -except for support for charging infrastructure- the government should butt out the market.
But the data is that, once you've bought an electric car, you never go back. Take Sweden; they ended EV subsidies back in 2022... and you know what, 60% of new cars there are electric.
However the EV changeover is massively regressive if you’re living in a rented apartment, relying on expensive public chargers rather than off-peak home tariffs.
A major plan to merge police forces could be put on ice by Andy Burnham, Sky News understands. The likely incoming prime minister is not keen on combining police forces, which is currently the subject of a review by a former head of the Metropolitan Police.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
In the UK it's as much about infrastructure (or lack of it), particularly along streets, as it is the cars themselves.
Hybrids sell themselves on their significantly better fuel consumption, and perhaps their ability (sometimes) to mimic the quietness of an EV when you're driving slowly in residential areas. The only real downside is the somewhat higher initial outlay, and perhaps the relatively narrow range of options on offer.
I have a feeling by the end of the decade things will have reversed since just 2010.
Then people said;
"Electric cars are rubbish! You can't even go 100 miles and they take 10 hours to charge!
There is hardly anywhere you can charge them anyway and they cost a fortune!"
In 2030 they will be saying;
"Petrol...they can only go 500 miles, take nearly 9 seconds to get to 60, you need to go to a filling station and they are all closing now.
My electric easy does a 1,000 miles, charges in 5 minutes almost anywhere and does nothing to 60 is less than 3 seconds!"
Peter.
I get the sentiment and I agree in general but the energy density to get battery powered cars to 1000 miles range will take some doing. Whats the current best in class for range?
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
That’s because the government are fining companies who don’t make a percentage quota of EVs.
Petrol cars are selling over list price and EVs are being deeply discounted, because of govt intervention in the market.
It’s helping no-one, except perhaps a few rich recent retirees with a drive paying cash for a new EV.
I agree with you that -except for support for charging infrastructure- the government should butt out the market.
But the data is that, once you've bought an electric car, you never go back. Take Sweden; they ended EV subsidies back in 2022... and you know what, 60% of new cars there are electric.
However the EV changeover is massively regressive if you’re living in a rented apartment, relying on expensive public chargers rather than off-peak home tariffs.
How does that work for apartments, or even street parking that’s not explicitly reserved for you, plus the permissions to install it, the installation cost, the post-installation inspections etc etc.
And clearly not if you’re renting.
Clearly not fake news for most of those actually affected. It might work in Notting Hill and Mayfair.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
That’s because the government are fining companies who don’t make a percentage quota of EVs.
Petrol cars are selling over list price and EVs are being deeply discounted, because of govt intervention in the market.
It’s helping no-one, except perhaps a few rich recent retirees with a drive paying cash for a new EV.
I agree with you that -except for support for charging infrastructure- the government should butt out the market.
But the data is that, once you've bought an electric car, you never go back. Take Sweden; they ended EV subsidies back in 2022... and you know what, 60% of new cars there are electric.
However the EV changeover is massively regressive if you’re living in a rented apartment, relying on expensive public chargers rather than off-peak home tariffs.
Still cheaper to go EV, but marginal rather than slam dunk. The bigger problem is the inconvenience of charging. You have to find a charging bay and remove the car when it's done. With a home charger you plug it in, go to bed, and wake up the next day fully charged.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
In the UK it's as much about infrastructure (or lack of it), particularly along streets, as it is the cars themselves.
Hybrids sell themselves on their significantly better fuel consumption, and perhaps their ability (sometimes) to mimic the quietness of an EV when you're driving slowly in residential areas. The only real downside is the somewhat higher initial outlay, and perhaps the relatively narrow range of options on offer.
I have a feeling by the end of the decade things will have reversed since just 2010.
Then people said;
"Electric cars are rubbish! You can't even go 100 miles and they take 10 hours to charge!
There is hardly anywhere you can charge them anyway and they cost a fortune!"
In 2030 they will be saying;
"Petrol...they can only go 500 miles, take nearly 9 seconds to get to 60, you need to go to a filling station and they are all closing now.
My electric easy does a 1,000 miles, charges in 5 minutes almost anywhere and does nothing to 60 is less than 3 seconds!"
Peter.
I get the sentiment and I agree in general but the energy density to get battery powered cars to 1000 miles range will take some doing. Whats the current best in class for range?
It’s around 500 miles today. The Lucid Air Grand Touring is EPA-rated at about 512 miles (around 820 km), and Mercedes has demonstrated prototype tech capable of over 1,000 km, albeit not in a mainstream production car yet.
The bigger hurdle than energy density may be charging infrastructure and battery cost. If battery energy density roughly doubles over the next decade, manufacturers might choose to keep packs around 80-100 kWh and make cars lighter and cheaper rather than fitting 200 kWh monsters just to achieve a 1,000-mile range.
In practice, 300-500 miles with a genuine 5-10 minute recharge is probably the sweet spot. Most people need a coffee before the car does anyway. My days of driving from Bristol to Perthshire in a oner are behind me.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
The cost equation seems to favour EVs. I was looking at a plug-in hybrid with 100Km electric range. Requires a motor, ICE engine and an electric generator. Or you can buy a simpler, cheaper EV with 300Km range. Charging is cheaper than petrol. You are paying a lot to avoid range anxiety.
Range anxiety is just a woke neurosis. I drove to Corsica and back in our i5 with no problems and only a modicum of planning. You've just got to use the software to minimise for charging time rather than maximising for charge state. Being comfortable at driving in the sub 10% "death zone" is useful too.
Some disingenuity in that reporting by counting only pure electric and pure petrol while ignoring the [considerably bigger] hybrid market entirely.
From the linked article:
My vehicle by the definition of the Tweet is not a petrol vehicle (since its self-charging hybrid) despite the fact that 100% of its fuel ultimately comes from petrol (plug in hybrids are a 4th category).
So... you -and @theProle- are completetly correct.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
That’s because the government are fining companies who don’t make a percentage quota of EVs.
Petrol cars are selling over list price and EVs are being deeply discounted, because of govt intervention in the market.
It’s helping no-one, except perhaps a few rich recent retirees with a drive paying cash for a new EV.
I agree with you that -except for support for charging infrastructure- the government should butt out the market.
But the data is that, once you've bought an electric car, you never go back. Take Sweden; they ended EV subsidies back in 2022... and you know what, 60% of new cars there are electric.
However the EV changeover is massively regressive if you’re living in a rented apartment, relying on expensive public chargers rather than off-peak home tariffs.
How does that work for apartments, or even street parking that’s not explicitly reserved for you, plus the permissions to install it, the installation cost, the post-installation inspections etc etc.
And clearly not if you’re renting.
Clearly not fake news for most of those actually affected. It might work in Notting Hill and Mayfair.
Oxford council is allowing these. You have to pay for the installation & pay an annual charge of £100 per year, plus pay for an annual electrical inspection of your charger & pay for £5million worth of liability insurance. They're only allowing a limited number of installations as well.
I think the Council's lawyers took a "how can we eliminate all possible liability, regardless of cost to the end user" approach to the whole thing. Meanwhile Warwickshire is happy to let you drop a cable across the pavement so long as you cover it with an cover that meets entirely reasonable safety specs.
Reform need to throw some red meat to their supporters. This is urgent. Get Restore back into the party. Do it now!
Yep. They're losing far right hearts and minds.
The poll implies a Ref/Con/Grn swing to Lab surely?
Possibly. But you can also have masked movements. Eg some Ref to Rest, Ref to Con, and Con/LD/Grn to Lab.
True. But regardless, the fact that half of the net polling boost for Labour in the wake of Starmer's departure alone has come at the expense of Reform and not just from the Greens/LDs encourages hope that Farage will not become PM in 2028 or 2029.
Once Labour ceases to be leaderless with Burnham taking the reins, a further "new manager bounce" can be expected. Often they do not last, but sometimes they do. In football at least.
Comments
https://x.com/alistaircarns/status/2069871743901278538
THE FIVE TESTS
For weeks I've argued that this party, and this country, needs a proper debate about where we go next. Not a reshuffle. Not a few degrees of course correction. The big, difficult, honest choices we've spent thirty years avoiding.
A few people have asked me what that debate should actually be about. Fair enough. I spent 24 years in the Marines and two in government, and I resigned because I couldn't win the argument I believed in from the inside. So let me make it here, plainly.
This isn't a manifesto, but a set of five tests. Anyone asking to lead our country should be able to look down this list and say yes to all five.
There was a lot of optimism about getting through at least to the last 32 this time, which I wouldn't say was unrealistic. Each time he changed tactics it didn't work. The Scottish media aren't impressed with the playing out from the back nonsense we saw last night.
Incidentally UEFA have up to 2 spaces reserved for host nations who don't make it through qualifying for the next Euros. Not sure if this applies before or after the Nations league play offs, UEFA maybe don't know themselves yet. Could we see all 4 host Nations playing?
I do think though that Scotland has too many professional football teams for the size of the country and that say merging Dunfermline and Raith into a Fife United would help raise competitiveness vs the big 2.
I do think though that Scotland has too many professional football teams for the size of the country and that say merging Dunfermline and Raith into a Fife United would help raise competitiveness vs the big 2.
I was very lucky with my personal friend group aged 17-18, we all learned how to drive and we’d take it in turns to be ‘Des’ on a night out. The rules were that the guy driving didn’t pay for any (soft, obviously) drinks, and we’d chip in a couple of quid each for his petrol and parking costs.
For ladies it’s even more important to have a sober friend who drops you at your door, no dealing with taxi drivers or trying to find your own way home.
Oh, and don’t drink and drive. Ever. It’s not worth it, can totally screw up your life at a very young age. I knew a few who made this mistake, at a cost of jobs and relationships. No you’re not invincible.
I read that 5 test thing yesterday and by the end of it I decided that he is a dogmatic ex armed forces type with scant hinterland and a propensity to a bullying tone. It's a wish list, and done in an impatient soldierly way which would go down OK in the pub. What he fails to deal with is the fact that until five minutes ago he was a minister in the government he now denounces. He also misses out the crucial 'how is this done' aspect of real politics.
Worth a look before, rightly, writing him off as a serious player.
None of this is complicated.
Reeves tells Burnham to 'stick to what I'm doing' which presumably means to shuffle into the front of any photo shoot whilst feigning loyalty to the current PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgm9mj262qo
He's where Wes was until Monday. Wes wanted a battle of ideas but having talked to Andy and realised how much common ground there is he now sees no point wasting the summer litigating small points of difference.
I think Al might be on a journey to there too.
But on the other other hand my peer age mates have got their mitts on the state pension whereas I have to wait till next year.
Could our cooler temperatures be headed your way? Ask your favorite local meteorologist for an informed opinion. But it wouldn't surprise me.
New petrol powered vehicles still outnumber new electricity powered ones.
But I can't help notice that the trend is in one direction. EVs plus Plug In hybrids, which -not so long ago- were a mere pimple on a speck, now account for more than 40% of new vehicle sales. (And are up from a third last year.) If real crossover isn't in 2027, it will defintely be in early 2028.
Petrol cars are selling over list price and EVs are being deeply discounted, because of govt intervention in the market.
It’s helping no-one, except perhaps a few rich recent retirees with a drive paying cash for a new EV.
https://news.sky.com/story/govt-reviewing-flagship-ev-sale-quotas-after-biggest-car-production-fall-in-73-years-13525842
Peter.
My son -aged 16- has told me he plans to learn over the summer break. I've offered to pay for lessons, but he has to do the organizing; getting his provisional license, etc. He hasn't bothered yet, and I suspect he will continue not bothering over the entire holiday period. His girlfriend -also aged 16- passed her test pretty much on her birthday, so he may also simply be relying on her to be his personal Uber service.
Some people are going to be disappointed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6qrGbraUAQ
Nasser, Athers and Tuffers' hilarious reactions to rewatching 1999 England vs New Zealand Test
Volvo briefly flirted with a diesel estate hybrid with the hybrid powertrain on the rear axle, conventional ICE setup on the front axle. Done right, that should have been phenomenally economical, as you could leave warming up the emissions system until the vehicle was moving at highway speeds (when if could be warmed up for free by waste heat) rather than throwing fuel down the exhaust to get the DPF to temperature in the mile or so I drive from home before getting to a fast A road.
But the data is that, once you've bought an electric car, you never go back. Take Sweden; they ended EV subsidies back in 2022... and you know what, 60% of new cars there are electric.
The survey data is pointing the same way. If you go back to 2020: a lot of electric car owners said they were agnostic about whether they would buy electric, hybrid or petrol next time around. Last year, the same JD Power survey showed than 92% electric car owners would go electric next time around.
https://x.com/jurgen_nauditt/status/2070120497027617054
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyrk2eg1wro
However the EV changeover is massively regressive if you’re living in a rented apartment, relying on expensive public chargers rather than off-peak home tariffs.
The £5300 MacBook pro with 128gb of RAM is now £7000
Hybrids sell themselves on their significantly better fuel consumption, and perhaps their ability (sometimes) to mimic the quietness of an EV when you're driving slowly in residential areas. The only real downside is the somewhat higher initial outlay, and perhaps the relatively narrow range of options on offer.
Oh well, the new iPad will have to wait a few months’ more.
It hardly matters as with Grangemouth closing we would need to put one destroyer at each of them and that's Mersey, Tyne, Humber, Pembroke, the Thames and near the Isle of White so too thinly spread to mutually support and that leaves Naval ports undefended if they go for a mass balastic attack.
The main threat is still cruise missiles but give Russia started introducing them in the 90's we really have ben sleeping .
Peter.
https://spectator.com/article/burnhams-odyssey/
E writes: “I was in Portcullis House earlier this week and heard a loud and long farting sound from someone walking past. I turned around to see what it was and was a little surprised to see former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns”.
His affair partner promptly turned up, armed with bacon sandwiches, to find out if her lover was doing okay. Instead, she got chatting to the MP who owned the house.
Who was apparently so impressive that she decided on a new political career path on the spot. Handy, really.
Then people said;
"Electric cars are rubbish! You can't even go 100 miles and they take 10 hours to charge!
There is hardly anywhere you can charge them anyway and they cost a fortune!"
In 2030 they will be saying;
"Petrol...they can only go 500 miles, take nearly 9 seconds to get to 60, you need to go to a filling station and they are all closing now.
My electric easy does a 1,000 miles, charges in 5 minutes almost anywhere and does nothing to 60 is less than 3 seconds!"
Peter.
Even if I could guarantee a space directly outside, there's no way of running a cable out to the car.
Government (local/devolved/national) would need to provide public charging infrastructure, or at least remove barriers so private operators could step in.
#postcodelotteryconfusion
https://gul-e.co.uk/
EXC - on @skynews now
A major plan to merge police forces could be put on ice by Andy Burnham, Sky News understands. The likely incoming prime minister is not keen on combining police forces, which is currently the subject of a review by a former head of the Metropolitan Police.
And clearly not if you’re renting.
Clearly not fake news for most of those actually affected. It might work in Notting Hill and Mayfair.
See @Sweeney74 comment just above.
The bigger hurdle than energy density may be charging infrastructure and battery cost. If battery energy density roughly doubles over the next decade, manufacturers might choose to keep packs around 80-100 kWh and make cars lighter and cheaper rather than fitting 200 kWh monsters just to achieve a 1,000-mile range.
In practice, 300-500 miles with a genuine 5-10 minute recharge is probably the sweet spot. Most people need a coffee before the car does anyway. My days of driving from Bristol to Perthshire in a oner are behind me.
I think the Council's lawyers took a "how can we eliminate all possible liability, regardless of cost to the end user" approach to the whole thing. Meanwhile Warwickshire is happy to let you drop a cable across the pavement so long as you cover it with an cover that meets entirely reasonable safety specs.
Once Labour ceases to be leaderless with Burnham taking the reins, a further "new manager bounce" can be expected. Often they do not last, but sometimes they do. In football at least.