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Post by gillwales on Jul 26, 2017 7:58:48 GMT
I listened with interest today to the news regarding the ban in 2040 of the sale of diesel and petrol cars. This got me thinking as I very nearly purchased a hy-bred on my last car change ( I got Suzi Q instead who is great fun to drive! ) . My new change; which I do not expect to be for several years will be to an electric or part electric car, depending on what is out there. However where does it leave those wishing to transport their horses and ponies? The vehicle I considered was a PHEV, which would have towed a trailer, however it was too big for my drive and I no longer have any need to tow. But what is going to be the future of lorries? Are private people going to be able to own one? Are there going to be any shows to go to? This really does need some consideration. We really do need to consider the future and what the implications are for the horse world and how we have a united front. I mentioned in another thread that I think all of the pony showing and breed societies should consolidate into one, which, in my opinion should be lead by the NPS, one of the oldest Societies which would give it credence and has a long standing Charitable Status. It is the most inclusive of stud books and could easily return to looking after all of our native breeds along with RPs/ HPs and Sports ponies and all of the showing societies. The horses already have their own. One thing is for certain is we need to prepare NOW and all be singing off of the same hymn sheet to make our voices heard and more importantly , listened to. Has anyone else got any ideas regarding this matter. It would be very helpful for some input from the various breed and showing societies. Although I now longer breed or show I do take a strong interest in these matters.
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Jul 26, 2017 9:00:47 GMT
I doubt that I shall still be driving in 2040, let alone keeping ponies, I'll probably be dead. 23 years is a long time in terms of research into electric batteries and sustainable production of electricity, so it is difficult now to predict what will be available by then.
As far as societies go - I agree re the showing societies, but I'm not at all sure that pony breed societies would ever agree to be amalgamated under any umbrella body or that it would be in the interests of the individual breeds.
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jonp
Junior Member
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Post by jonp on Jul 26, 2017 9:12:23 GMT
It can be done already. Both BMW and Mercedes (see www.daimler.com/products/trucks/mercedes-benz/urban-etruck.html) already have workable versions of a truck, albeit with a current range of just 125 miles. Once battery technology has caught up (go by shares in lithium or graphene production companies) it will be fine. We will need plug-in points on showgrounds so they can make even more money from us. Best comment I've had so far this morning - "Will we then plug the generator into the lorry?"
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Jul 26, 2017 9:27:57 GMT
I may sound disinterested because it won't apply to me - I'm not, just that I recognise the torch has passed to the next generation like jonp who will be involved. Many thanks for the interesting information. Your electric trucks made me think of the breweries who continued to use horses which were more economic for local, short deliveries in towns - albeit the other way round! We did of course have electric milk vans years and years ago in the days when milk was delivered to the doorstep, it's just a question of the battery and recharging technology catching up.
Mind you, when I bought my much loved petrol driven car, the salesman said come back when you want to change it. My response then was "I'll be driving this one until either it falls to bits or I get too old to drive it, whichever happens first". I suppose I would now have to add "or until it is banned". But doubtless our second and practical car will be electric before then anyway.
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Post by Karen, garrettponies on Jul 26, 2017 9:28:02 GMT
It's certainly an interesting topic. Technology with regards to EV's is moving forward at a fast pace and battery storage for solar is on the brink of becoming widely available, though currently expensive. I'm fortunate to have an EV that is capable of towing a trailer, although from a charging/range point of view it's not yet practical for a horse trailer, you can't exactly unhook a loaded trailer at a service station to charge! However, as I said, technology is moving forward quickly, the first electric lorries are being prototyped, the first small electric van is currently on sale so it won't be long.
There will be many that will question where all this additional power will come from, renewable energy is available (though the govt aren't removed subsidies a few years ago, they'll have to rethink). It will be down to solar, wind, tidal power and battery storage, some countries have solar roads, we have some solar farms (side of A1 also used for small livestock housing), solar roof tiles, the technology is there to be expanded but needs people on board to support it. Not everyone likes wind farms but if they were offshore? Tidal power can be guaranteed, it is the future.
We have solar, run the house, a small caravan site and two power hungry offices from it, we go back to grid on a night though are waiting on battery storage. I've done 7,500 miles in my electric car and have spent no money whatsoever on charging it! I do run a lorry which still requires dinosaur juice!
Who knows what will happen to the future of showing anyway in the next few years, when you look back 20 years it's different to what it is now! I wouldn't like to hazard a guess over the future. Maybe it will be virtual HOYS where an Xbox game is created to do shows including stunts !
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Post by bigmama on Jul 26, 2017 11:14:19 GMT
The 2040 petrol and diesel ban relates to cars .. who knows what will transpire in the next twenty three years but to date, the ban does not include lorries/trucks. By 2040, we could possibly be transported by Star Trek 'Beam me up Scotty'!
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Post by chloesmum on Jul 26, 2017 12:35:49 GMT
Ha ha I have always dreamed of that day bigmama!! Not being a fan of long journeys! Like sarahp it certainly won't apply to me in 2040 either, another year ticked off today and after this weeks driving marathon I certainly won't be doing this in 2020!! I heard on the radio that it did apply to vans? So wonder if it will affect the 3.5 ton brigade? Anyway I am not going to worry just yet!
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Post by bigmama on Jul 26, 2017 14:14:54 GMT
Ha ha I have always dreamed of that day bigmama!! Not being a fan of long journeys! Like sarahp it certainly won't apply to me in 2040 either, another year ticked off today and after this weeks driving marathon I certainly won't be doing this in 2020!! I heard on the radio that it did apply to vans? So wonder if it will affect the 3.5 ton brigade? Anyway I am not going to worry just yet! Hadn't realised that it will apply to vans so yes, us 3.5 tonners would be affected but the way I look at it is that me and my husband have done our bit, trailers, 4 x 4's, 3.5t's and 7.5t over many years so child will have to take up the reins, so to speak, and find her own mode of horse transport in 2040, by which time she will be 48yrs old and more than capable/experienced, if she is still at the horse job that is .. I'm not gonna lose sleep over something that is so far in the future that no doubt new modes of transport will have been invented by then. Keep on truckin everyone!
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Post by Philippa on Jul 26, 2017 19:15:28 GMT
We heard about this too and wondered what will happen when everyone goes home and plugs in and the National Grid blows up!!! The current range for electric cars is nominal and certainly if they were towing (cant see anything electric being competent enough to tow the Equitrek or Ifor williams with living!!!!!) its even less. I for one think its ludicrous.
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Post by LinzyD on Jul 26, 2017 20:15:37 GMT
It's not as far away as you might think. Kevin Parker horseboxes already have a very small solar panel on the roof that can power the electricity in the living, i.e. lights, fridge, sockets, and stops the main battery from ever going flat. The one on my lorry is only about 12" square and has no storage facility, but if that were the size of the full roof, and light enough not to add to unladen weight, it would be interesting to know how far you could drive on the power generated. Lightweight solar panels on the roof, an electricity storage unit where the fuel tank would ordinarily be, and you can probably store up enough even in a British summer to get to shows at weekends.
Bring it on. Slightly more upfront cost and no more weekly diesel funds.
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Post by Karen, garrettponies on Jul 26, 2017 21:57:38 GMT
It's not as far away as you might think. Kevin Parker horseboxes already have a very small solar panel on the roof that can power the electricity in the living, i.e. lights, fridge, sockets, and stops the main battery from ever going flat. The one on my lorry is only about 12" square and has no storage facility, but if that were the size of the full roof, and light enough not to add to unladen weight, it would be interesting to know how far you could drive on the power generated. Lightweight solar panels on the roof, an electricity storage unit where the fuel tank would ordinarily be, and you can probably store up enough even in a British summer to get to shows at weekends. Bring it on. Slightly more upfront cost and no more weekly diesel funds. I agree, it's not as ludicrous as it sounds! My EV has a range of 250 miles on a charge and is capable of legally towing an Equitrek. As I said in my previous post, currently not practical for charging en route but as time progresses technology moves on. Battery storage is happening now so it is feasible, though 'currently' expensive to go off grid with a solar/battery array. This will change as technology moves on and prices come down. I think all new build/renovated housing should have solar, again that time will come. I was always a bit 'electric cars pffftt!' But now I have one, I would be loathe to go back, forget the milk float idea, the bigger EV's are road eating monsters. Mine does 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, my freelander took three and a half weeks😂😂. A lot can happen in 23 years...........
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Post by janetbushell on Jul 27, 2017 7:05:02 GMT
As a point of interest I stayed at the Travelodge at the services on the A1 next to Arena UK (for the North of England show) & there were several electric charging points there, so this showground is already well catered for! Also saw a couple of Teslas charging up at various times over the weekend & would be very happy to own one of these cars LOL!
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sarahp
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Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Jul 27, 2017 8:27:00 GMT
Went to a track day at Goodwood a few years ago. Lots of amazing old cars but also a Tesla belting round - in complete silence. It was very eerie but just think - a world with no traffic noise!
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