1 hour ago, Stonekeeper said:

Getting way off the EV topic now but

Marxism is definitely a massive step too far.

What we should have is a level playing field in Taxation which everyone has the ability to meet their strengths and contribute to the running of the society that supports them when needed.

Our current system controlled by the 1% and applied by Government is skewed towards them.

They convince well paid people that tax is too high and get them to vote against higher taxes and challenge every change for their benefit. They even go so far as allowing people to use the taxation system to pay less with some earnings which they have the ability to do for the majority of what "they" earn for a living.

Taxation should be based on what people "Earn for a living" EFAL

They do this by applying the top rate at what is really not massive money. Then saying if you take some of your salary as dividends you pay a quarter on that.

The threshold for 40% should be now way above £50,000, probably up to £80,000.With another threshold at £150,000 increasing to 50%

NI should have no upper earnings limit

Dividends paid to owners and employees should be taxed at the persons relevant rate.

Dividends paid to independent investors should start at 10% but go up at thresholds. similar to EFAL

Money paid into a Pension pot should be exempt until drawn down again at EFAL rates

People solely living off investments "For a living" should be subject to EFAL rates

No IHT between Parents and children.

No salary sacrifice for employee car purchase, if a car is needed for the job it should be a Company car, if they want one to commute to work buy their own or get the bus.

Sensible people would aspire to pay the higher rates only a sociopath would say "I don't want that rise because i'll pay more tax"

I do say, and have had had it in mind at those times, when transitioning from having ones pay in the standard tax rate to moving to when

53 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

Solution?

"smart water anti-theft measures"

Source:

Rapid charger anti-theft cables | Speak EV - Electric Car Forums

Best solution is to have them in very public places I think like 24 hour Maccy Dees and the like. Places where public are around a lot and lots of cameras.

Another solution would be to have the cable fully retracted into the charger until going into use and only then does it feed out the cable.

1 hour ago, wyx087 said:

Solution?

"smart water anti-theft measures"

Source:

Rapid charger anti-theft cables | Speak EV - Electric Car Forums

Haha. and to think that there are some here who are in denial that these cables are being stolen and also that chargers that the MacMaster and others say are broken are staged for clickbait, jeez.... One thing though, you certanly don't hear of thieves stealing filling hoses from a filling station 😁.

I must admit that I did have a chuckle when I read one of the other comments on the link you posted about siting them on McDonalds that are open 24/7 so will be plenty of people about, or have loads of CCTV cameras installed, which is precisely what they had at the Chelmsford site, cable still got nicked, even with their starring role in the movie.🤣🤣

12 minutes ago, lol-lol said:

Best solution is to have them in very public places I think like 24 hour Maccy Dees and the like. Places where public are around a lot and lots of cameras.

Another solution would be to have the cable fully retracted into the charger until going into use and only then does it feed out the cable.

There's the by-stander effect where no one speaks out for petty crimes that doesn't affect themselves.

Not sure fully retractable solves anything, only require a second thief to pull the cable out during the deed.

But yes, more lighting, CCTV, busier area does help..... to some degree.

At very least this theft doesn't affect individual owners. From the thread I posted, it seems to be repaired quite quickly. Unlike catalytic converter thefts. There were a string of CAT thefts at my local Tesco that were done in broad daylight. Owners left with £££ bill.

6 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

One thing though, you certanly don't hear of thieves stealing filling hoses from a filling station 😁.

Maybe they would think twice about a 400v cable if it was also live?

17 minutes ago, Stonekeeper said:

Maybe they would think twice about a 400v cable if it was also live?

My old department changed the rules for selling scrap metal ie one cannot get cash ie has to be paid into an account and identify checks ie passport etc when selling metal to a metals dealer. Probably helped but then things get more creative for the thieves ie export the metal like they do with stolen cars ie to certain European countries where this seems to be commonplace.

6 minutes ago, lol-lol said:

one cannot get cash ie has to be paid into an account and identify checks ie passport etc when selling metal to a metals dealer

Rules like that only work with adequate enforcement.

I would imagine criminals exist in all sides of the process.

Extra regulation increases the crimes committed and chargeable when caught.

17 minutes ago, Stonekeeper said:

Rules like that only work with adequate enforcement.

I would imagine criminals exist in all sides of the process.

Extra regulation increases the crimes committed and chargeable when caught.

When I was doing anti Bootlegging with HMRC we developed more and more useful ways of slowing down the smugglers.

Of course we already had the power to seize the transporting vehicle. If it was a rental then that renter would likely be banned from renting from anyone again and small print in their rental agreement meant they were liable for restoration penalties. Also, those carrying alcohol, rather than tobacco, where oft overweight so big fines, points on licence for that. We were increasingly working with multi agencies to throw the book at such characters.

But things evolve. With the Con party planning big cuts to the Civil Service it may get easier for criminals. There is lots of big data drilling going on with hmrc, bank accounts to tax returns and lots are getting caught out for under declaration and this is bringing in increasingly large amounts even if just incorrect declaration rather than "knowingly" making incorrect decision. Pay the amount owed, possibly interest charges and a fixed penalty but not so high as if HMRC can proved intent and then it is bigger fines and possible jail but jail cost us taxpayers big time. I prefer seizure of assets and spare jail.

Edited 16 October, 202516 Oct by lol-lol

1 hour ago, lol-lol said:

My old department changed the rules for selling scrap metal ie one cannot get cash ie has to be paid into an account and identify checks ie passport etc when selling metal to a metals dealer.

Given the scale of the "black economy" in scrap metal I don't think that would have a serious impact on this particular crime.

6 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

Given the scale of the "black economy" in scrap metal I don't think that would have a serious impact on this particular crime.

System, audit and enforcement should be strong and economic in each part.

As an HMRC issued Demand Notes for well over 10M so my cost for return had a good ratio.

Close shave for The MacMaster !

Edited 16 October, 202516 Oct by classic

1 hour ago, classic said:

Close shave for The MacMaster !

You're as bad as the MacMaster with your clickbait 😄

The Welsh capital heading to become the first city to charge heavy SUVs, electric ones too, extra for being SUVs..... Paris did similar a year or so ago.....

https://www.aol.co.uk/news/cardiff-becomes-first-uk-council-164313745.html

Cardiff council will force drivers with larger vehicles to pay more for parking, becoming the first local authority in the UK to impose a parking premium to combat the dangers of larger vehicles. Councillors voted on Thursday to approve a new parking plan for the city whereby owners of larger vehicles will be charged more for parking permits because their cars “take up more parking space and are a danger to other road users”. The plan states that vehicles that weigh more than 2,400kg fully laden will be subject to a surcharge “to encourage drivers to switch to smaller vehicles”;

Sorry Graham, this includes the 2019 Kodiaq with diesel engine and auto gearbox which is 2458kgs GVW I understand. Likely to spread in to more cities. Quite clever as it picks out heavier diesel engine cars and their high NOX perhaps ? @Graham Butcher

Edited 17 October, 202517 Oct by lol-lol

9 minutes ago, lol-lol said:

The Welsh capital heading to become the first city to charge heavy SUVs, electric ones too, extra for being SUVs..... Paris did similar a year or so ago.....

https://www.aol.co.uk/news/cardiff-becomes-first-uk-council-164313745.html

Cardiff council will force drivers with larger vehicles to pay more for parking, becoming the first local authority in the UK to impose a parking premium to combat the dangers of larger vehicles. Councillors voted on Thursday to approve a new parking plan for the city whereby owners of larger vehicles will be charged more for parking permits because their cars “take up more parking space and are a danger to other road users”. The plan states that vehicles that weigh more than 2,400kg fully laden will be subject to a surcharge “to encourage drivers to switch to smaller vehicles”;

Sorry Graham, this includes the 2019 Kodiaq with diesel engine and auto gearbox which is 2458kgs GVW I understand. Likely to spread in to more cities. Quite clever as it picks out heavier diesel engine cars and their high NOX perhaps ?

Yes, I know that the government have been looking at this, but there also many electric cars that weigh this much and more, are they going to be charged extra, even though that cuts right across the narrative, hmm I wonder if they will be given a free get of jail card?

Incidently, you have the weight incorrect for my car, the operating weight for a 2019 Kodiaq, 4x4, DSG, 110kW TDI is 1709kg in 5 seat version and the 7 seat version is 1752kg. The fully laden weight should be used as it will vary accoring what you have in the boot, how many people are in the car and their weights etc. I just checked the weight of my old 2016 110kw TDI DSG L&K Superb and it was 1734kg, so is heavier than the Kodiaq.

The only trouble with the SUV's being targeted like this is that it can be totally unfair and penalises those, like me, who taller than the average person and so are my offspring, so I need a car of that size in the same way as a family who are average or smaller can get away with a Ford Focus sized car. What is also unfair and badly thought-out process, is that the Kodiaq is smaller than the Superb which takes up more space on the road. I would still have a Superb if I was younger, but as we get older, we lose flexibility and I was having some problems getting in and out of the Superb as it is lower, so that becomes an issue.

In short, what is really happening is nothing to do with the size, but is the thin end of wedge where the authorities want us all to forego our cars and travel less, live in our 15 minute cities and never venture out of it, the evidence is all there if people can be bothered to join the dots, which the BEV is is also part of it, reducing the range of travel and making longer trips more of a chore.

Edited 17 October, 202517 Oct by Graham Butcher

15 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

In short, what is really happening is nothing to do with the size, but is the thin end of wedge where the authorities want us all to forego our cars and travel less, live in our 15 minute cities and never venture out of it, the evidence is all there if people can be bothered to join the dots, which the BEV is is also part of it, reducing the range of travel and making longer trips more of a chore.

15 minute cities idea is a good thing. Why don't you want local amenities within walking distances?

47 minutes ago, lol-lol said:

The Welsh capital heading to become the first city to charge heavy SUVs, electric ones too, extra for being SUVs..... Paris did similar a year or so ago.....

Good. We all need to drive smaller vehicles. I am guilty of this, "just buy a bigger vehicle to fit all my needs" I thought.

Car manufacturer's push for higher margin SUV are now rightly being pushed back upon.

55 minutes ago, lol-lol said:

The Welsh capital heading to become the first city to charge heavy SUVs, electric ones too, extra for being SUVs..... Paris did similar a year or so ago.....

https://www.aol.co.uk/news/cardiff-becomes-first-uk-council-164313745.html

Cardiff council will force drivers with larger vehicles to pay more for parking, becoming the first local authority in the UK to impose a parking premium to combat the dangers of larger vehicles. Councillors voted on Thursday to approve a new parking plan for the city whereby owners of larger vehicles will be charged more for parking permits because their cars “take up more parking space and are a danger to other road users”. The plan states that vehicles that weigh more than 2,400kg fully laden will be subject to a surcharge “to encourage drivers to switch to smaller vehicles”;

Sorry Graham, this includes the 2019 Kodiaq with diesel engine and auto gearbox which is 2458kgs GVW I understand. Likely to spread in to more cities. Quite clever as it picks out heavier diesel engine cars and their high NOX perhaps ? @Graham Butcher

"The vote, taking place today (Thursday 16 October) at Cardiff City Council, could see the Welsh capital be the first city in the UK to introduce a parking surcharge for vehicles over a specified weight limit.

In this instance, cars weighing over 2,400kg will be subject to the as-of-yet unspecified additional charge – a threshold that will be reduced to 2,000kg for non-electric cars over time. Vehicles weighing more than 3,500kg won’t be allowed a permit at all"

Councils looking for ways to raise money due to Government cuts?

12 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

15 minute cities idea is a good thing. Why don't you want local amenities within walking distances?

Now let me see, hmm, NO, not everyone is capable of it, especially as you approach the twilight years, as you will experience firsthand as you get into that period of your life, will you be happy with effectively being shut out of things purely because of your age or disability? Hell, it took years to get access ramps built in some places so wheelchair users can have access to the things that able-bodied people can access??? What will they think of next, lets scrap lifts and escalators and make people use stairs, and if they can't, well tough luck??

25 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

Good. We all need to drive smaller vehicles. I am guilty of this, "just buy a bigger vehicle to fit all my needs" I thought.

Car manufacturer's push for higher margin SUV are now rightly being pushed back upon.

As I have repeatedly said, people come in all sizes and shapes and abilities, so smaller cars is not an option for some, granted for many people large and powerful cars are used as a status symbol, a way flaunting one's wealth and inflated importance, but in reality there is huge difference between a Skoda Kodiaq 5 seat 110KW TDI DSG 4x4 @1709kg and Range Rover PHEV weighing in at a staggering 2770kg, equally there is a huge difference in the costs, one is more affordable family car option, the other is real luxury car which can be as much as £194,745, which could buy you 5 Kodiaqs.

What I think they have also managed to completely overlook is most SUV's and indeed larger BEV's also happen to come with wider and larger tyres, so arguably exert less weight per sq cm then a normal car, so therefore do less damage to the roads?

Edited 17 October, 202517 Oct by Graham Butcher

30 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

Now let me see, hmm, NO, not everyone is capable of it, especially as you approach the twilight years, as you will experience firsthand as you get into that period of your life, will you be happy with effectively being shut out of things purely because of your age or disability? Hell, it took years to get access ramps built in some places so wheelchair users can have access to the things that able-bodied people can access??? What will they think of next, lets scrap lifts and escalators and make people use stairs, and if they can't, well tough luck??

Is 15 min cities plans to ban car driving within the local area? Or plans to reduce the need for cars by locating amenities closer to neighbourhoods?

You are thinking the former.

31 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

What I think they have also managed to completely overlook is most SUV's and indeed larger BEV's also happen to come with wider and larger tyres, so arguably exert less weight per sq cm then a normal car, so therefore do less damage to the roads?

I'd always thought bigger contact patch = more particulate filter.

I might have interpreted this wrongly but isn’t it about permits so will affect Cardiff residents but not visitors ?

To be honest doing it on weight is lazy. People with vans for work are penalised unfairly. It will include a lot of EVs so maybe it is a way to tax them, my Elroq is 2457kg gvw so would fall foul of it. Like Graham, my previous Škoda Superb estate would be ok but takes up more space….

42 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

Is 15 min cities plans to ban car driving within the local area? Or plans to reduce the need for cars by locating amenities closer to neighbourhoods?

You are thinking the former.

I refer you to your original statement "15 minute cities idea is a good thing. Why don't you want local amenities within walking distances?" so I was just replying to what you said, end of.

45 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

I'd always thought bigger contact patch = more particulate filter.

I would have said the opposite, as larger contact area would translate to less scrub when applying the power.

Edited 17 October, 202517 Oct by Graham Butcher

Just for clarity - on V5C documentation the Kodiaq is classed as an 'Estate' and not and SUV - in fact there is no 'SUV' or similar designation.

7 minutes ago, skomaz said:

Just for clarity - on V5C documentation the Kodiaq is classed as an 'Estate' and not and SUV - in fact there is no 'SUV' or similar designation.

Yes, you are right, not noticed that before, apart from that, I don't think that there is anything remotely sporting about a Kodiaq 😀

1 hour ago, Graham Butcher said:

Now let me see, hmm, NO, not everyone is capable of it, especially as you approach the twilight years, as you will experience firsthand as you get into that period of your life, will you be happy with effectively being shut out of things purely because of your age or disability?

20 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

I refer you to your original statement "15 minute cities idea is a good thing. Why don't you want local amenities within walking distances?" so I was just replying to what you said, end of.

Hum, so are you suggesting having the option to walk to amenities within 15min is not a good thing? Because everything must cater to the minority that require a car?

Installing lifts or ramps are good, but not if that involves removal of stairs and reduce throughput capacity for the majority. Same principle with 15min cities, give the majority option of walking to amenities.

24 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

I would have said the opposite, as larger contact area would translate to less scrub when applying the power.

Interesting theory. I hadn't thought of that, thanks for pointing it out.

Unfortunately tyre particulate emissions research seems to be in early stages, quick search didn't turn up anything researching this particular variable.

14 minutes ago, skomaz said:

Just for clarity - on V5C documentation the Kodiaq is classed as an 'Estate' and not and SUV - in fact there is no 'SUV' or similar designation.

Exactly, they want to charge people driving Chelsea Tractor type things known as SUV but they are going to get trades people, people with company vans, people with wheelchair accessible vehicles, those that need a slightly higher vehicle or 7 seaters. It is a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

If it is just on residential permits then a visitor can still sail into Cardiff with a V 8 petrol Range Rover at no extra cost.

Edited 17 October, 202517 Oct by classic

7 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

Installing lifts or ramps are good, but not if that involves removal of stairs and reduce throughput capacity for the majority.

EH??? whatt a stupid thing to say... are the 'majority' not able to use lifts and ramps? Yes - they are - and providing them includes for everybody. Not providing them doesn't.

Just now, skomaz said:

EH??? whatt a stupid thing to say... are the 'majority' not able to use lifts and ramps? Yes - they are - and providing them includes for everybody. Not providing them doesn't.

Totally agree.

It's only a zero sum game, if you deliberately make that way. 15min city is the same, it's not either or.

Which is quicker at moving lots of people? Lift or stairs?

Similarly, which allows more people to do more things? 15min walking for majority removing lots of cars, option to drive for those who need it? Or everyone has to drive to amenities?