Petrol ban might lead to dead end
WHILE we all agree we need to ensure we have the cleanest possible air and must reduce our pollution of the environment, I feel that the focus on diesel and petrol cars detracts from other big polluters.
Ships, from Navy warships, to cruise liners, cargo ships and oil tankers, cause much more pollution than cars. Equally, aeroplanes and electricity-generating power stations are major polluters, but we hear little about how this problem will be addressed.
Society also seems to overlook the consequences of reducing our dependence on oil – and there are many.
How will we source plastic? How do we replace the jobs that depend on diesel and petrol vehicles? And why are electric-powered vehicles the only suitable replacements when we know that cleaner and better alternatives exist, such as hydrogen, vegetable oil, ethanol and fuel cells?
David Evans, Maesteg, Brigend
# So, the Government says after 2040 new cars will have to be powered by electricity as petrol and diesel will not be allowed. As a child in Manchester we travelled on trolley buses or trams powered by electricity. Then I witnessed the replacement of electricpowered transport with petrol and diesel cars and lorries. At the time the US and the Middle East were big oil producers and made vast fortunes. We are now told we must revert to the use of electricity-powered vehicles. Call me cynical but there must be something in it for the politicians.
Glyn MacNally, Warrington, Cheshire
# The Government’s proclamation that new petrol and diesel cars will be banned after 2040 would have been a step in the right direction if it wasn’t for the announcement that the electrification of three major rail lines was being cancelled. Just what is the Government playing at?
Andrew Mackay, Hatfield, Herts
# With the news the Government plans to get rid of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040 to make way for electric and hybrid vehicles, will this mean that councils will have to supply charge points outside houses? Do those who came up with this plan think everyone has a garage?
Bob Hughes, Sutton Bridge, Lincs
# Regarding the Government’s announcement of a ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2040, are we going to be having electric planes too? Or are there too many members of the Tory party with financial links to the aviation industry to make this change?
Environment Secretary Michael Gove and the rest simply cannot be trusted.
Denis Sewell, Redcar, Teesside
# So, by the year 2040 there will be no new petrol or diesel cars in the UK. What about the HGVs and planes? Why can’t the powers that be just make city centres traffic-free if these are the most polluted areas?
M Tuplin, Ulceby , North Lincs
# I believe that very few people will actually own cars by 2040. Most cars will be driverless and be taxis. Darcy O’Bree via Facebook Donald Trump’s obsession with Twitter and his preoccupation with his own personal prejudices, such as his latest edict banning transgender people from the US military, demeans the great office of President.
I’m sure all rightthinking Americans must be appalled at how their country is being led.
Trump is surely the worst-ever US President.
J Allen Harrow, Gtr London
Seeing the PM decked out in pink on holiday in Italy made me think that when her time is over, a new role awaits Theresa May – as Priscilla Queen of the Desert! Colin Rossini Dovercourt, Essex