lol-lol

Discussion on US diesel export ban gathering pace but US apply pressure on those European countries with large strategic reserves ie other than UK's meagre 42 day reserve of course. 12 hours away from VAT coming off home electricity so these two factors accelerating the transition to electric from fossil fuel.

One doesn't have to go electric... www.facebook.com/share/r/14tt366Bf9k/ and in Gosport ....

I lost my faith in the VAG Group about a decade ago and have been happy with Renault and even Dacia pretty much since then. All the Germanesque car makers have had a lost decade but they have finally woken up and started to produce good cars again. Mercedes winning European Car of the Year, BMW knowing making some standout cars though still very pricey and VAG finally producing a well designed EV ie the ID Polo and its spin off the Epiq and Raval, not sure about the A2, the original one was silly and not sure new one is much better. World is so much more competitive now ie Kia, BYD etc.

Dont kill the messenger. I am surprised the Times, C4 and others are peddling but then it is a click bait world. I am just getting the pop corn in to watch on !

In US and even being extended non production for another year so 2028 before it may restart presumably if the Democrats get back in. European production and sales have been quite strong though tweaks to production schedules have occurred to match sales. VW are now producing a LFP battery chemistry with a 60 ish battery and range of only 200 miles on a good day so again production will be tweaked depending on how well that sales and presumably we will see sodium and solid state versions too eventually.

Swansea fuel station getting ahead if itself......

Tried to persuade him to go for the Kia PV5 but no joy. IDs have had numerous issues with their software. VW been just about the bottom of the pile for their software compared to other brands but they finally seemed to have got it together with some Chinese help. The new Cupra Raval, ID Polo, Epiq seem to getting great reviews and maybe the new king of the small EV. Lets hope sales match the press reception lese VW etc or they may be in more trouble than they are now which is hard to imagine. Silver one S-i-L gone for so he will have to get a surf board I suppose. Dont know if he sat in the Kia but at 6'5" maybe his height might have been an issue in the Kia as I generally found Hyundai and Kia on the dinky size but I expect they have got better in that regard to accommodate, Dutch, Nordic and US supersized people, come to think of it I did have a Sportage on hire in Alberta /BC and it was roomy in the front. awful fuel consumption form its NA 2.4 litre engine but petrol was about the same price as bottle water especially in Alberta / Manitoba / Saskatchewan where they extract about 4.5M barrels a day and send nearly a million a day to Vancouver to ship to Asia, now missing out California to their loss. Shame don't pipe to Thunder bay to send down the Lakes to Europe.

Indeed, not giving much at all away but Excise cut expected I think. Not that helps farmers already running on RED diesel and claiming the VAT back so they are not paying any tax on their vehicles that run purely on RED. The excise cut would help the non VAT registered diesel driver and road haulage then many big haulage firms charge a fuel surcharge so fuel rises get passed on to customers and they would benefit from Excise cut not all haulage firms who have already negated fuel price rises. Extra VAT take already helping UK government coffers since 28th of Feb. I would expect fuel duty to go down from 52.95 p per litre to 44.6 per litre which with the VAT would mean a cut of over 10 p a litre but oil companies have to be watched to check they do not just trouser much of it as it appeared their profits jumped massively from Q1 to Q2 this year, be interesting to see their Q3 profits in a few days time. Looking forward to the zero VAT on electricity units and standing charge kicking in in 34 hours time.

Times broadcasting a discussion with ex BP exec and Farmers union lead about what could happen with diesel cost and supply and rationing for "non-essential" users ie the public not engaged in essential services. My son in law picking a 80 KWh ID Buzz tomorrow to replace his diesel VW Caddy so he can keep working as he is self employed and no, or ridiculously expensive transport powered by fuel means not being able to get to work and get paid or net profit being squeezed massively....

More in mainstream Uk news that UK has much less stock of oil and gas that other countries and as party conference on in Liverpool at the moment the chance to question ministers but we are not hearing strategies. There are some plans out about what would happen if the power goes, from stations cannot pump gas, what foods people should stock pile etc. Winter of discontent could rather be a winter of survival especially if the UK winter is unusually grim as increasingly predicted.

The 2.34 tonnes if the Gross Vehicle Weight ie max weight allowed on the road and this is what the licence reading cameras work on to catch those who should be paying the extra parking charges in these cities applying these rules. My Scenic is roughly 1.75 tonnes sat by the kerb with washer fluid etc and can take almost 600 kgs of people and cargo and be legal classed as below the 2.4 tonne limit as it GVW as recorded on the V5 and DVLA as sub 2400 Kgs. Skoda bigger cars can be as low as 1560 Kgs kerb but also as high as about 1850 KGs kerb ie diesel, 4x4 and all the toys and the GVW nearly 2.4T, or close to 2.5 tonnes, which would seem to indicate that the payload, passengers and luggage allowed might be only about 500 Kgs which either sounds wrong or very poor as it is not difficult to hit 500 kgs with passengers and say luggage for a holiday. Check yours as the diesels look to have less headroom and you would not want a ticket for overloaded. Spent many a day on multi disciplinary exercises with the police, two departments of Dept of Transport, DWP and us as HMRC intercepting Bootleggers of Alcohol and getting them on overweight q was one of our best tools, as well as me seizing the cargo and the vehicle of course ! So cars have surprisingly small differences between their kerb weight and GVW. To me it should be at least a good 600 kgs in a C or D segment car but some are a bit less than that and the owner dies not realise it and is sometimes driving over the manufacturers weight limits and therefore illegally.

UK tries to stop Trump's diesel export ban - BBC News UK tries to stop Trump's diesel export ban ..... That's going to work isn't it. Time to trade in tgMhe older EV as the prices rise i reckon and order an even better one. BBC NewsUK tries to stop Trump's diesel export banJohn Healey said the government is in talks with the US over Donald Trump's threat to stop exports.

The Scenic is very roomy and fits the 6 foot five son in law (getting an ID Buzz this week and getting rid of his VW Caddy as who knows were fuel prices are going to stop going up and even be available to buy at fuel stations) in the front or back of the Scenic. His brother is 6 foot 10 inches so car choice limited, he might be too big perhaps. Yes my 60 /65 KWh was the unusual choice compared to the 87 / 92 KWh version but I was confident it would cope with my Worcester to Heathrow, Liverpool or even Felixstowe business trips. Same for my 5 as I went for the 40 /43 KWh rather than the more common rather than the more common 52 / 55 KWh version. Worked out OK and saved thousands and the lighter cars are more efficient, maybe by only 0.1 or 0.2 KWh per mile. Mg 5 weighs less than 1400 Kg and cannot imagine any car is very much quiter when in motion though I think 18 inch wheels on all models was a bit overkill. Thinking of trying 16 inch all weather or winter tyres especially as we are due a Super El Nino winter just in to 2027.

Yeah my Scenic is the 60 / 65 KWh version and weights about 100 kgs less than the 87 / 92 KWh version as only two thirds of the battery compartment are populated with batteries. As the torque is quite similar but the weight quite different the acceleration is quite similar. In the new Scenic due out in France this fall the smaller batteried version now has LFP rather than NMC chemistry which is less energy dense so the smaller battery capacity version, 67 KWh, will be similar weight to the 90 KWh but the LFP batteries are much cheaper and don't mind being regularly charged to 100% when the norm for NMC is 80% charge threshold and 100% only occasionally. Both will get the 220 hp rather than use the 170 hp motor mine has. You have the 1.4 TSI and 4x4 with auto or manual ? Liked my 1.4 tsi dsg in my Octy but I think it helped get me nicked for speeding as it slipped in to ECO freewheel mode and crept over 80 mph. In the EV I would have just applied a bit of regen back in to the battery. Br interesting to see which cities follow Paris and hit the vehicles over 2.4 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight. Cardiff is one and I heard Reading and others to follow suit. My Scenic version slips under at 2340 Kgs. Looks like several Kodiaqs (2s ?) are over the 2.4T threshold and would have to pay the extra city entry fee. Model-Gross Vehicle Weight - kg Max. Towing Weight - Braked 12% - kg Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked - kg Minimum Kerbweight (with driver) - kg Minimum Kerbweight (without driver) - kg Nose weight - kg SE (5 seats) 1.5 TSI e-TEC 150 PS DSG 235/55 R18 100V 2,175 1,800 750 1,659 - 1,739 1,584 - 1,664 100 SE (5 seats) 1.5 TSI iV 204 PS DSG 235/55 R18 100V 2,430 1,800 750 1,911 - 2,075 1,836 - 2,000 100 SE (5 seats) 2.0 TDI 150 PS DSG 235/55 R18 100V 2,300 2,000 750 1,746 - 1,838 1,671 - 1,763 100 SE (7 seats) 1.5 TSI e-TEC 150 PS DSG 235/55 R18 100V 2,231 1,800 750 1,695 - 1,772 1,620 - 1,697 100 SE (7 seats) 2.0 TDI 150 PS DSG 235/55 R18 100V 2,348 2,000 750 1,793 - 1,880 1,718 - 1,805 100 Edition X (7 Seats) 1.5 TSI e-TEC 150 PS DSG 235/50 R19 99V 2,275 1,800 750 1,695 - 1,807 1,620 - 1,732 100 SE L (5 seats) 1.5 TSI iV 204 PS DSG 235/50 R19 99V 2,430 1,800 750 1,911 - 2,075 1,836 - 2,000 100 SE L (7 seats) 1.5 TSI e-TEC 150 PS DSG 235/50 R19 99V 2,275 1,800 750 1,695 - 1807 1,620 - 1732 100 SE L (7 seats) 2.0 TSI 204 PS 4x4 DSG 235/50 R19 99v low rolling resistance 2,402 2,400 750 1,811 - 1933 1,736 - 1858 100 SE L (7 seats) 2.0 TDI 150 PS DSG 235/50 R19 99v low rolling resistance 2,348 2,000 750 1,793 - 1880 1,718 - 1805 100 SE L (7 seats) 2.0 TDI 193 PS 4x4 DSG 235/50 R19 99v low rolling resistance 2,414 2,400 750 1,848 - 1943 1,773 - 1868 100 L&K (5 seats) 1.5 TSI iV 204 PS DSG 235/45 R20 100V (polymer coating) 2,430 1,800 750 1,911 - 2,075 1,836 - 2,000 100 L&K (7 seats) 2.0 TSI 204 PS 4x4 DSG 235/45 R20 100V (polymer coating) 2,502 2,500 750 1,811 - 2,002 1,736 - 1,927 100 L&K (7 seats) 2.0 TDI 193 PS 4x4 DSG 235/45 R20 100V (polymer coating) 2,510 2,500 750 1,848 - 2,035 1,773 - 1,960 100 SportLine (5 seats) 1.5 TSI iV 204 PS DSG 235/45 R20 100V (polymer coating) 2,430 1,800 750 1,911 - 2,075 1,836 - 2,000 100 SportLine (7 seats) 1.5 TSI e-TEC 150 PS DSG 235/45 R20 100V (polymer coating) 2,275 1,800 750 1,695 - 1,807 1,620 - 1,732 100 SportLine (7 seats) 2.0 TSI 204 PS 4x4 DSG 235/45 R20 100V (polymer coating) 2,402 2,400 750 1,811 - 1,933 1,736 - 1,858 100 SportLine (7 seats) 2.0 TDI 193 PS 4x4 DSG 235/45 R20 100V (polymer coating) 2,414 2,400 750 1,848 - 1,943 1,773 - 1,868 100 vRS (7 seats) 2.0 TSI 265 PS 4x4 DSG 235/45 R20 100V (polymer coating) 2,500 2,500 750 1,900 - 2,006 1,825 - 1,931 100 Information regarding tyre technical specifications can be found by visiting the Škoda car configurator here. * Figures for the ŠKODA range, including petrol/diesel and hybrid vehicles. Plug-in hybrid vehicles require mains electricity for charging. Figures for hybrid vehicles were obtained using a combination of battery power and fuel. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Data correct at 3rd August 2026. Choice of wheels and other options may affect fuel consumption and emissions data. For more information, please see skoda.co.uk/owners/wltp-info or consult your retailer.

Its not only that EV vans are getting better year on year for the new models but us EV owners are learning new and better practices also on running the vehicles. I was on the tariffs where it was cheaper on the overnight charging which meant, particularly on cooler nights the charge would finish about 0530 and the battery cool and range would decrease. Now I am on a tariff where day time charging is oft cheaper and I have probably biult up a credit from negative priced weekend charging I routinely have the EVs charging right up to the point of departure. Battery is warmer and the cabin preheated which means more ranfw on offer and ok to charge beyond the 80% normal daily limit for NMC chemistry as the car is to be used immediately. All things learnt in the 5 years of running EVs. Continued goverment support, last government and this one makes the whole trip a pleasure and economic help to ones budget in these challenging economic times.

Please supply the jetb weight of your petrol Skoda ? Think my Scenic is 1746 kgs kerb weight. Be amazed if it is 300 kgs difference. 70 decibels is on the quietish for any tyre and is measured external in the noise tests as I understand. I have tge nice slim 205/55R19s on my Scenic. Cheapish to replace and its looking like none will need replacing in its 4 year PCP period as wear is so low. New current version of the Scenic has a minimum of 220 hp, mines 170 hp, so i hope it does wear tyres faster. Even with 67 KWh LFP battery I don't think it weights more than a few Kgs more. Which engine do you gave in your Skoda ?

Two companies I have been most associated with are Ceva and DPD and Ceva are looking to bring the Windrose trucks to the UK and I presume the frightening increasing in diesel costs and strong desire to go to lower carbon footprint the Ceva UK fleet is predominately running on HVO rather than diesel. Can be a little more than diesel and is erratic pricing. Hope to see the Windrose EV HGVs on the road soon but I am sure they will want to test in cooler weather but Windrose has already done much of this and truck has 800v architecture and charging is very good in the chargers are there which is something Uk government working on with Gridserve and others to hit the 2040 deadline of all trucks being electric..... https://www.gridserve.com/electric-freightway/ https://www.cevalogistics.com/en/news-and-media/newsroom/press-release/ceva-uk-investment-low-emission-fleet DPD also breaking out from EV delivery vans not just being mainly cities..... DPD UK is expanding its electric van fleet with 341 new Mercedes-Benz eSprinters, taking the parcel carrier’s total number of electric vehicles to more than 4,000. The first vans are due to enter service in September, with the full batch scheduled to be operational by the end of October. They will be deployed both within the M25 and at locations elsewhere in the UK, ahead of the company’s peak Christmas delivery period. DPD said the new vehicles will allow it to extend the use of larger electric vans beyond the inner-city areas where much of its EV fleet has so far been concentrated. According to the company, its electric vehicles currently operate across more than 7,300 UK postcodes. In 2025, DPD delivered more than 85 million parcels using electric vehicles, including a predominantly diesel-free final-mile operation within London’s North and South Circular roads. Olly Craughan, head of sustainability at DPD UK, said larger panel vans remain central to the company’s final-mile operation. "The eSprinters can carry the same payload as the equivalent 3.5t diesel while the new battery technology and improved range mean more of our depots can start deploying larger EVs further afield,” he said". DPD pushes electric vans beyond city centres with hundred...DPD pushes electric vans beyond city centres with hundreds-strong order

I think the EV weight much more thing has become an entrenched myth. Germanic EVs, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, SEAT, Skoda and VW tend to be heavier than the average EVs and many have fallen foul of the Paris 2 tonnes triple parking charge. I am surprised there was not more protest by the 3 German HQ based companies as it seemed to single them out. There are some reasonable reasons for Germanic cars being heavier ie there need to be able to do 200-250 kph plus to drive at the perfectly allowable speeds ie bigger motors, battery packs, two speed gearboxes to allow the electric motor to switch to a longer gear and not be limited to 100 mph or less like many EVs. Also on the tyre front, and most are fitted with EV tyres which tend to be quite quiet with less tread when new and alos are oft fitted with acoustic foam to reduce noise as the rest of the vehicle is so quiet Michelin add the foam to further quiet it down. 68 to 70 decibels being the norm. Scenic has e Primacy and % has Conti 6Qs. The Q standing for quiet as again, like the Scenic and other EVs, as they are so quiet in the engine / motor department the tyre manufacture put extra effort in to quietness. Both EV Tyre review reports commend these EV tyres quietness. https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Michelin/e.Primacy.htm/Test-Results/ https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Continental/EcoContact-6.htm

The stats support it, more power and more torque. My company Ceva was seeing several minutes quicker runs by the EV trucks running up from the Spanish ports that connect with Morocco up to Madrid and onwards. Ceva use Winrose EV truck for such runs.

EVs are quite apart from tge standard tyre rumble and aero noise as motor almost silent though it does sing Jean Michelle Jarre when sub 20 mph. We are still waiting for those ENSO tyres which can give 10% more range and presumably are quieter as well.

I was just going on what the signs were saying as I drove on the motorway thru these regions. Would have been a bit much to put all that info on the signs but thanks for the indepth, not surprised on the multiplicity of these reasons, cheers.

Probably right but it does annoy me in places like the motorway near Birmingham and Sheffield when it says reduced speed limits due to pollution when it is the ICE vehicles causing the pollution and not EVs. I think the main developments will be in more EV trucks being on the market and its effects. EV trucks look capable of towing two containers / trailers rather than just the one that ICE trucks can also EV trucks are going to want to pass ICE trucks on inclines due to their superior climbing ability and this could cause a few issues.

Whilst cars are wonderful items they are much slower than trains in mhst countries. Cars will be abke to get much faster in the next few years by electronically tailgating each other to form, in effect, car trains. By talking to each other at 80, 90, 100, my EVs only can do 95 mph as motor spinning at max 12k revs. They can benefit from drafting, the cars at 2nd 3rd etc in the chain will break at the same time as the front car maintaining the car. Either a further adaption of adaptive cruise control and perhaps best to wirk without a driver. Obviously with different tyres etc they there would need to be margins. On the subject of tyres I was pleasantly surprised at the results of my service last week that my tyres have only worn 1.5 mm on the front and 1mm on the back in 16k miles. Therefore I should see over 30k miles on the front and 45k miles in the back m. They are Michelins and EV spec so only came with about 6mm ! Also incident ongoing at RAF Fairford involving explosives !!!

Rolls Royce engineer. Think he prefers trains to cars.

Kei, kei-jidōsha, light automobile. Good episode on Grand Tour driving 3 Kei cars a few hundred miles in US and then up Pikes Peak ie up to 14k feet. The non turbo one took nearly half an hour and was gasping at the end. Not a problem with electric cars which get quicker with the less air !