Volkswagen’s Emissions Scandal Has Silver Lining
As reported by my colleague Jon LeSage in his terrific publication Green Auto Digest, the most influential car show in the world, The Paris Auto Show, is featuring an enormous range of electric vehicles, spurred on at least in some degree, by the scandal surrounding VW’s diesel emissions. Volkswagen itself has decided to discontinue all sales of diesels in the U.S., as part of what appears to be its “out of sight, out of mind” marketing strategy.
As tragic and disgusting as this whole mess has been, the optimists out there are saying that it’s had the positive effect of accelerating the demise of the internal combustion engine. Maybe this really is the best of all possible worlds after all.
When something bad happens, regardless of how horrible it is, there are often beneficial side effects. Let us hope that that is true with the VW scandal.
However, it may be that I’ll never buy an electric or hybrid car. My 2004 Mazda 3 has only 22,000 miles on it. If I keep driving it at the present rate, I will never put enough miles on it to warrant replacing it. Of course if it were totaled in an accident, that could be another matter.
Hi Frank,
“However, it may be that I’ll never buy an electric or hybrid car”
I understand see your logic, but not your lack of adventure !
Aw c’mon, doesn’t the idea of being among the first pioneers of EV transport in the modern era, fill you with excitement ?
At our time of life, sadly many of the best things are behind us but we can capture a little of the future for only a few dollars when we buy an EV. Y’never know, it may start a new love affair with the joys of motoring, seeing old friends , making new ones, the future is right there for you to experience and help create !
It’s really only an insignificant investment in a future we may not see, but our children will enjoy.
Just a thought 🙂
Marcopolo,
There are many reasons for not spending money that need not be spent.
I am retired. I live on interest, dividends, and social security. It is sufficient. But to borrow $$ or sell income-producing securities would not be a reasonable thing to do to replace a car that is perfectly serviceable.
People have different situations. Take, for example, parents saving money for their children’s college educations. Spending $$ unnecessarily could jeopardize the education of their children.
And what about people still repaying student loans? To borrow more $$ simply to make a statement would make no sense. The same with people who have home mortgages.
For people who have a generous income and no debt, buying a car which costs more than necessary may be fine. If the car is a hybrid or EV, it would encourage R & D to make EVs and hybrids better. Buying a hybrid or EV could make economic sense for high mileage drivers who do most of their driving in urban areas.
Granted many people spend money unnecessarily for no good reason even when they should not. I have in mind people who by cars like BMWs or Cadillacs when it would make more sense to pay off their home mortgages and save for the education of their children.
I have seen old friends by traveling on my motorcycle with which I get a bit over 50 mpg. In fact, on one trip, I rode 5,500 miles (8870 KM for those of you who are unfamiliar with our antiquated English system of weights and measures). Traveling that distance with an EV would be impractical, but could be done with a hybrid.
At my age and considering how little I drive it, my 2004 Mazda 3 may be the last car I will ever own.
Hi Frank,
You are correct when you point out different people live in different circumstances.
I have now reached an age when most of my contemporaries have either retired, or intend to retire. I guess I’m fortunate my business and personal interests keep me safe from the spectre of retirement for the near future at least.
Like many of the “boomer” generation, I can’t believe that I’m getting old. (I don’t feel old 🙂 . I’m blessed by the the company of my youngest child who is still only 21, and it’s hard to accept there’s nearly 50 years between our generations. I believe being a widower, with the responsibility of raising a young daughter, kept me young !
Many years ago, when circumstances forced my to end my army career, I promised myself I would live my life as if I would live forever. This is probably an unrealistic philosophy, but it suits me.
One of my great delights is to buy new technology, and participate in futuristic investments. ( I’m the sort of guy who’s looking forward to the next model, when buying the current one!).
I promised myself when I commenced my commercial career, once all my responsibilities were fulfilled and discharged, I would spend whatever money I possessed enjoying my life. My ambition is to outlive and out perform my grandfather and great-grandfather both of whom were exceedingly active, (if eccentric) into their late nineties.
We travel not for trafficking alone;
By hotter winds our hearts are fanned:
For lust of knowing what should not be known
We take the Golden Road to Samarkand.”
― James Elroy Flecker
But the real pleasure is in the adventure of the journey, not the ultimate destination.
Marcopolo,
I suspect that I’m significantly older than you since in only about 1.5 years I will be 80, if you can imagine such a thing. There have been changes I don’t like. When I was in my early 50s I could still run 10 miles in less than 70 minutes; I am no longer running. At least I can still walk for many miles much faster than most people walk, ride a bicycle, and ride a motorcycle. At one time I could do 22 chin-ups; now I’m lucky to do 10. I’ve complained to the doctor without result.
I do try to keep my knowledge up to date, including knowledge of car and engine technology and energy technology. On an Internet test of engine knowledge I just got 100%, but thought it was ridiculously easy. I took a U.S. history knowledge test and got 92%; the article said that only 1 in 10 passed it. However, I think that most people spend too much time watching junk TV which explains their lack of knowledge.
Probably I will not live to see the worst environmental problems, but I am concerned with what others will have to face.
Hi Frank,
Thank you for your reply. In comparison, I’m a mere youngster at 70!
Getting older is a bitch ! I can remember the 1965 Who song, containing the lyric. “I hope I die before I get old “.
I commend your concern for the generations to follow.
It’s probably meaningless to an American, but I’m just leaving with friends and family, to attend the Australian Rules Football Grand Final. This year is a special event as I have waited 55 years for the team I support to be in the Grand Final !
Life’s good !
Marcopolo,
Having been in Oz a number of times, I think that it’s a nice country. Of course all countries have problems. We have Donald Trumpet; you have Pauline Hanson. There is no utopia, El Dorado, or Shangri La. And house prices in New York and Sidney are stratospheric.
I hope that fair dinkum Ozian Rules Football don’t cause the brain damage that American Rules cause.
Hi Frank,
Fortunately, Pauline Hansen has no real influence and absolutely no executive or policy making power.
Australian Rules Football has injuries, but is a much less violent game than Rugby or Grid Iron.
House prices are staggering all over the globe as more Asian buyers invest in Western residential real estate. I could never afford my home in Melbourne if I had to buy it at today’s prices.