Some things governments choose to never adequately explain. In the Ordovician period of the Paleozoic era, the Earth was in an ice age with atmospheric CO2 estimated at 4400ppm (or 0.44% of the atmosphere). So why exactly is this government and others obsessed with carbon footprints? Why exactly? The temperature of the earth fluctuates quite alarmingly, but over fairly long cycles. The climate is changing at the moment. This may turn out to be a global warming. Now in some scientific circles Earth is viewed as being in an ice age when it has polar caps. Could be we are just leaving an ice age. Bad news for polar bears and penguins. Bad news for London, New York, Sydney and a host of low lying islands. If you think carbon taxes are the answer to this - well you probably believe in God and the tooth fairy as well.
I was never one for believing in global conspiracies. For one thing governments are just never that organized. So what the fuck is going on? Well, there is such a thing as collective stupidity. And there is such a thing as opportunistic expediency. HINT
So I am one of those denying global warming? Er, no, re-read what I wrote above. Be careful people, be very careful in what you allow yourselves to believe, or be told to believe.
So, the price of fish? Well actually I want to talk about 4x4s/SUVs. Now in the eyes of some of the more extreme environmental lobby these are the devil's wheels. Forget actually there are other cars on the roads which cause more pollution including emitting more CO2. Forget that the environmental impact of building, running and (crucially) disposing of an electric car is FAR worse.
Look up the Jeep Wrangler on the web. Specifically look up the report from a U.S. think-tank that uses it as an illustration of a GREEN car. Provocative? Tongue-in-cheek? I drive a Jeep Wrangler. I don't think it is very green. About the only good thing I can say about my current Jeep is that is more fuel efficient (by about 20%) than my last. But a tank of petrol (gas) still costs me over £60 ($120) and it does not go that far (typically ~240 miles).
Cars could have been made more efficient for a long time. But there has not been much impetus in the car industry - and some industries, like the petroleum industry, have been all too pleased about that.
In a couple of years I am going to replace this Wrangler. My requirements will not have changed. I need an optionally open topped vehicle at least as off-road capable as an unladen snatch Land Rover, but comfortable enough for motorway commutes and smart enough not to look out of place in Islington. It will need a hi/lo box, at least 31" tyres, full size self-recovery winch, excellent articulation including sway disconnects, and off-road final ratio (I'll live with a bigger bill on motorways if necessary).
So at the Detroit Motor Show I see some promise; about bloody time! Hummer HX Concept - nice, if a little of a style crib from the 2006 Jeep Hurricane Concept. At least it has four seats (or more cargo space). Looks like a proper drive set up, good ground clearance, proper articulation. Don't know about the multi-fuel engine though. Is biofuel (E85) really that beneficial to the environment? - a lot of people seem to suggest not. But it is a start and compared to earlier Hummers I would say at least G.M. are listening at last.
And then there is the Jeep Renegade Concept. True hybrid electric drive although only axle motors rather than General Dynamics Shadow's smarter (although I expect more expensive) hub motors. 120 mpg - and those are American gallons; this looks good, but chopping out two seats, the spare? you're gonna save weight anyway. I like the idea of greatly improved fuel economy. I wonder about the lithium battery life (and safe disposal) - NASA is looking at storage capacitance to replace rechargeable batteries - so should the car industry. And axle articulation? I see no mention or pictures of a raisable suspension - it will need one if it is to match a Wrangler Rubicon. Put that technology in a smoothed off Wrangler Rubicon - maybe even an Unlimited Rubicon - I'll buy it.
G.M., Jeep maybe even Land Rover - anyone listening?
