Germans vote to ban production of gas-powered cars

[Jeffrey Leeds]

Der Spiegel reports Germany's top governing body — the Bundesrat — voted to allow only zero-emission vehicles on roads in 14 years.

http://aol.it/2d5hlSF

[C J Murray]

Good luck with that. By zero emission I guess they wont allow power plants that make emissions while producing power for electric cars.

[Ron LaDow]

Odds-on, this will be 'amended' before implementation...

[Jeffrey Leeds]

OR, it will be a buying opportunity.

[Sebastian Gaeta]

Look a little deeper; what the Bundesrat votes on is not necessarily law, it is only a strong recommendation. I am not sure why or how that works, but I do know it is not law as of now...

[David Jones]

Also think further. It only bans production which means that gas powered cars will still be in the majority on the roads until they get replaced. That will take more than the rest of most of the lives of the already working work force.

[chris romney]

The Bundesrat represents the various stares in Germany and is not directly elected. It is also subordinate to the Bundestag, which is directly elected by the people, so they really aren't calling the shots. Also, currently 8% of Germany's GDP comes from the auto or directly related industries. If they were to follow through with the ban of everything but zero emission cars they would be shooting themselves in the foot and a lot of people would be losing jobs.

[Ron LaDow]

It only bans production which means that gas powered cars will still be in the majority on the roads until they get replaced.

Not according to the story linked:
"Der Spiegel reports Germany's top governing body — the Bundesrat — voted to allow only zero-emission vehicles on roads in 14 years."

[Edwin Ek]

Good luck with that. By zero emission I guess they wont allow power plants that make emissions while producing power for electric cars.

This discussion belongs in the off-topic section. Nonetheless, surely you realize that it is much easier to control emissions from a handful of stationary sources rather than mobile millions? Perhaps you don't know that Germany is a leader in solar power.

[Ron LaDow]

Perhaps you don't know that Germany is a leader in solar power.

Not saying much; they got ~6% of their power from solar. Germany has got to be one of the worst candidates for solar; too far north and oh, those German fogs!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_Germany
Added by edit: George, I agree with Edwin; prolly ought to move to "off topic"? I guess we could argue the resale market for 356s in the thread, but that's straw-grasping...

[Edwin Ek]

Much to say about that, Ron. But only in the off-topic forum.

[C J Murray]

Solyndra.
Chevy Volt.
Billions $ government subsidies.
Continuous development efforts since 1800's, Ferdinand Porsche
.67%, point67% of the auto sales
14 year payback even after the taxpayer paid subsidy
battery disposal problems

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... dd1f76ab20

[Edwin Ek]

Any idea what the subsidies are to the oil and gas industries? Which have gone on for 100 years?

Perhaps you think there are no untoward consequences to burning fossil fuels?

My last post here. Don't want to get in trouble with the moderators.

[Dan Epperly]

Until they create a battery that can be charged as fast as you can fill a gas tank electric cars will remain viable only as a second car.

[C J Murray]

Eliminate all subsidies, I agree. Farm, oil, coal, everything. It will end up cheaper for the consumer when the payment goes directly from the consumer to the producer without the expensive middle man.