Global Warming

[Scott_Fraser]

I don't understand why our American and Australian friends buy those big gas guzzling cars. Would it not be better to buy a car that does 50mpg rather than one that does 5mpg. Here in Europe and the UK, we buy cars like the Ford Focus and Golf, Polo and Fiats. These cars are economical to drive and cheap to insure as well. I saw an advert for the new Dodge Viper, 8.5 ltr engine, 8mpg, nice car but not practical. Some Americans are buying the new Mini Cooper, I think they have their heads screwed on right, at last.
Cheers
Scott:claps:

 

[anthony]

Yep, the V8's here are a topical issue, that is for sure. I got rid of my HSV about 5 years ago now, merely for the cost to run it. Glad I did now. Insurance is through the roof for anything over a 4 cyclinder, regardless of rating. I would say the majority of cars here are actually 6 cylinders, followed by 4 cylinders, then the last would be the 8 cylinder cars. Six's are definately the majority here though...

I think all v8's should be banned, apart from those who use them to race on a race track, otherwise, not in street registered cars... far too much damage to the environment. I believe the UK and Japan lead the way on the car solutions, especially with the hybrids now out and about. I believe the UK are big on the electric cars also, with points at major centres throughout the CBD to recharge even. Is that correct Scott? If so, bloody good idea... and whilst hybrids are taking off in Australia, electrics have done nothing because the cities simply refuse to do anything about providing recharge points readily accessible at present. I can see state governments having to pull their finger out of their backsides here very soon, because the pollution in Sydney is terrible... I cannot stand going to sydney... yuk. Melbourne is pretty good because the city runs mainly on trams, so all electric there. Brisbane is the best though, but its also much smaller than Sydney or Melbourne.

We have a lot to learn about fixing the car issue though IMHO... Its funny actually, in that finally the laws are changing here, in that I think its age 21 or 23.... that soon anyone under that age will not be aloud to drive a V8 car upon the road, six cylinder or less only. Good to help save some of the young kids dieing from stupidity. Way too much power in new 4 cylinders, let alone six and V8's...

 

[Scott_Fraser]

Yes we have a some electric cars and vans here, but they are very rare. And you have to charge them at your home. Diesel cars produce less imissions than petrol cars, and a lot of small cars have diesel engines.
Scott

 

[anthony]

Ah, that would be why diesels are becoming more and more prevalent here then... I would have thought diesel produced more issues for the environment, as it is the much dirtier fuel type than ULP.

 

[mac]

Hey guys, I know y'all are going to frown on me... but I have a 4-door pick up truck V8/320 hp, that can go about 400 miles on a 25 gallon tank of gas. I also have an 18 foot boat that can travel about 80 miles on 24 gallons of gas. The gas mileage in both these vehicles SUCK! The truck is also a pain in the @ss to park due to its size. As far as clean air goes, its a 2004 model, and it does have a bunch of sensors and catalytic converters that supposedly give it cleaner emissions.

I feel safer in this larger truck and have more peace-of-mind when toting the family. And I can see over most vehicles as well, so that sort of adds to the safety of it. I'll tell you though, if I hadn't been such an avid fisherman most of my life, I would have never bought a boat, which requires a truck to tow it. Hence, I would never have bought a truck. I'd rather operate a truck instead of a car in traffic, but would prefer to own a small car now instead of the truck... cause I don't ever go fishing anymore but a few times a year when my wife says we need fish, and because of its cost on our resources.

 

[anthony]

Its funny actually you raise that point mac, in that we have the issue here, and have done for some time, where 4x4's and the urban type troop carriers have become much higher in demand, ie. Ford Territory type vehicles, because of the same reasons you mentioned about feeling safer whilst driving in traffic. They splashed all over the place that they are more dangerous in essence, but when I read about the research, they are more dangerous, but not to the driver of them, to the person they hit. So I guess why people buy them is warranted by protecting yourself and your family. They annoy me, because you can't see past them and have clear view of what is going on... but that won't change anytime soon.

Nothing is going to change immediately with the way people do things, and the main reason for that is because of cost. For a person to go out, sell their car and buy a more environmentally friendly one, just isn't going to happen unless the car needs to be replaced, because people don't have endless amounts of money to change immediately.

I look at the issue here in Australia with water, and we are running out very fast because of little rain, where if every household changed their washing machine from top loaders to front loaders, much of the water issue would be solved, however; to do that a family would be out of pocket about $1000, if not more, as the top loader would obviously have no resale value and would only be scrapped for recycling. A top loader washing machine, depending on size obviously, uses 150 - 250 litres of water per wash, where a front loader uses 30 - 50 litres per wash, and is better on the clothes themselves, ie. gentler, which means clothes would actually last longer being washed in that type of machine. Is the Australia going to change that immediately? No. We have made our house water saving friendly, but it cost us a few thousand to do it, and many families just don't have that money to go and do those things, regardless how much they want to do their part, money is the restriction. Damned if we do, damned if we don't...

 

[Scott_Fraser]

Not exactly Anthony, diesels are now a lot more cleaner than what they used to be, they produce less polution that petrol cars.
There is a car here called the Peugot 206, it has a 1.5ltr diesel engine and it can do nearly 75mpg.
The City of Glasgow used to be filthy with the smell of car fumes, you could actually see the cloud of gas over the city it was that bad.
Now things have improved greatly and the people are enjoying the benefits of it.
Scott

 

[anthony]

Ah... that is good. Yer, I meant that diesel is the lower grade fuel, which it is, but obviously has a lot less side effects to the atmosphere, which is the main thing here. I see here now that most manufacturers offer diesel alternatives to many makes, Holden, VW, Peugot, Citroen, Ford (I think)... I mean the cars, not the work utility vehicles, which have always been present since my arrival on earth. Its good to learn these newer facts, and where things will go. I guess the problem is what Branson is trying to do, being help rid the already contaminated atmosphere, as the world is slowly becoming smarter and will correct the issue as it goes along, its just the damage that is already done is the problem.

I seen an ad on TV for a diesel car here, 1200kms per tank, a little one, don't remember the make, but impressive to say the least. I am going to buy a new car soon, maybe I might have to broaden my horizons and take a diesel for a test drive to see how they go.

 

[Scott_Fraser]

The new diesels that are now coming onto the market can give you a great turn of speed. For instance the Ford Fiesta diesel can get you up to 110mph.
The new Ford Transit van is now more economical and more fuel efficient, with less omissions that other vans of the same type. And the new trucks are the same.
Branson has bought the new double-decker Airbus for his airline, this plane produces 60% less omissions than a 747. Branson has bought an entire fleet of the new Airbuses to replace his 747 fleet. And I think that Boeing will soon follow suit.
Scott

 

[Deleted member 93]

Now there ya go, I do my part! LOL I am so agoraphobic I just have to start my van to make sure it keeps running. And y'all thought agoraphobia is bad. Not like anything in this town is not walking distance. You can do town and not be winded LOL.

 

[anthony]

Yer, I live behind a shopping centre here, and my fuel usage has gone from a tank a fortnight to a tank a month now. I use the car bugger all nowadays...

 

[Deleted member 93]

what is a car bugger? Like a shopping cart?