[wizbang1160]

so what is your opinion about it? For those who do not know details, policy is about to prohibit engines with internal combustion from year 2035 on in Europe. To me it is crazy idea due to many reasons. Yes, the pollution should be decreased however will it be decreased for real? However i do not want to discuss about environment, green energy, etc. I would just like to hear your opinion what does it mean for people like us in this moment, assuming that this crazy idea will come true. So, is it clever to invest into classic car (another w140), newest car maybe (W221, etc.) , or sell everything because it will become useless in the future. I just gave some ideas for discussion, I am not claiming anything. Thanks, Samo

YeH, I think it’s nuts to stop manufacturing internal combustion engines… and it’s not even real. The new F-150 Lightning electric truck is nearly 8000 lbs. and the Midwest and rural areas of the country can’t switch to electric… there’s no infrastructure for it, plus the electric vehicles are very expensive and rely mostly on Software which can be quirky for most cars. I’m just waiting for the lawsuits to come so the ICE can continue… plus, Toyota CEO was quoted as continuing to produce any type engined vehicle the markets want… and he even said, electric vehicles will not solve the vehicle emissions problems, he noted and is investing in Hydrogen powered vehicles.

 

[ChristopherC]

YeH, I think it’s nuts to stop manufacturing internal combustion engines… and it’s not even real. The new F-150 Lightning electric truck is nearly 8000 lbs. and the Midwest and rural areas of the country can’t switch to electric… there’s no infrastructure for it, plus the electric vehicles are very expensive and rely mostly on Software which can be quirky for most cars. I’m just waiting for the lawsuits to come so the ICE can continue… plus, Toyota CEO was quoted as continuing to produce any type engined vehicle the markets want… and he even said, electric vehicles will not solve the vehicle emissions problems, he noted and is investing in Hydrogen powered vehicles.

Plus to make the batteries for EVs you use an ass load of fossil fuels. It's a stupid idea. This is also why Russia wants Ukrainian territory because there is huge amounts of lithium there. Damn nearly every war has been over resources.

 

[bill strickland]

It's not going to happen until they release the technology of free energy which they have covered up.

FREE???? im in the dark on that one,,,,never heard of free anything,,,someone has to pay,,,,wait, hold on a moment, i remember waaaay back when i was a small kid,,i got the mumps free,,,,,thats all i can remember free,,,thanks

 

[brentleewilson69]

so what is your opinion about it? For those who do not know details, policy is about to prohibit engines with internal combustion from year 2035 on in Europe. To me it is crazy idea due to many reasons. Yes, the pollution should be decreased however will it be decreased for real?
However i do not want to discuss about environment, green energy, etc. I would just like to hear your opinion what does it mean for people like us in this moment, assuming that this crazy idea will come true. So, is it clever to invest into classic car (another w140), newest car maybe (W221, etc.) , or sell everything because it will become useless in the future. I just gave some ideas for discussion, I am not claiming anything.
Thanks,
Samo

This will never happen! Electric vehicles will never replace combustion engines! The reason why is because China owns most of the minerals ! If you are one of those green new deal liberals, climate change is a Hoax! You think that you are saving the planet but you are raping other countries and using children to mine your minerals! When Trump comes back to the White House, America will be energy independence again! Oil will be booming!

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

Politicians have been doing this sort of thing for generations.
Politician Playbook.
!. Come up with a scam, like climate change.
2. Invest tons of money in the "green machine".
3. Make it mandatory for everyone to use, and create punishments for not.
4. Watch your stocks roll over multiple times.
5. Laugh your way to the bank in your gas guzzling limo while everyone else fights over a charger.

JMHO

Agreed, this is all political in nature. Politicians truly believe that they, and they alone, can legislate "climate change" through one or many of their sleight of hand "green deals" (new and / or old). I remember learning about the Ice Age and the oh so hot tropical Age of the Dinosaurs (where much of our fossil fuels come from) mankind couldn't change those back then and I don't know how much can be changed today just by a simple wave of the hand. Yes, we've cleaned up our air (well, MOST countries have anyway) but there are still pockets around the world that make California's worst air days look like a fresh breeze coming off the ocean. IMHO the technology for "all electric" just isn't there yet with the short ranges of EVs (even worse when cold outside) and it's difficult to get any of the "greenies" to admit that much of the power for EVs comes from . . . . (are ya sitting down ??) coal and gas fired steam plants, with some coming from nuclear as well as hydro (but Lake Mead IS drying up) and I have to say solar and wind aren't quite there yet. The various goobernments wanting to and trying to cram EVs down our throats (or else) is going to backfire on them. One type of fuel they don't want to even discuss for whatever reason is hydrogen, we have the technology and the waste product (exhaust) is water. I will admit that EVs ARE going to be the way of the future but the technology can't be achieved overnight like the politicos are convinced of and believe. OH, one other thing and I will get down off my stump, just a thought, if solar is one of the ways of the future then why aren't all these "solar farms" mounted on top of all the industrial buildings and vast expanses of warehouses instead of taking up land that used to be farms that grew food, timber, and other commodities

 

[Capt Mad Jack]

FWIW: I live in central Florida and I took a road trip to visit my son in NC. While proceeding north on I 95 in SC. I had a need to make a pit stop. At the entrance to this rest area was a charging station for EV and the EV were lined up unsafely on the shoulder for at least 1/2 mile before entering the charging station. I completed my pit stop and departed smiling to myself remembering when I sat in gas lines in 1974 waiting my turn to get my 10 gallons of gas thanks to the Saudi’s.
The American electrical grid cannot and IMHO will never be able to provide the needed infrastructure to support EV in any serious amount. Unless the US gets its act together and starts producing nuclear power plants like crazy and we all know that will never happen, no one should fear the loss of ICE any where in the foreseeable future.
Again FWIW I enjoyed my 80mph 26 mpg road trip in my E500. As for myself I will honk and wave at the EV lined up on the shoulders of the highways as I cruise by. Mosel tov

 

[samosali]

I knew it before but from all the above posts made by USA members i have learned again that you people there somehow believe that this craziness about banning ICcars will not become true, at least not in worst possible way. HOWEVER policy here in Europe is significantly less dependent on people's opinion and methods used to realize things in practice are much more brutal than in USA. In another words, socialism is coming back through back doors in its worst form. So I would not be surprised if mobility will only be for rich people in couple of years. I know it sounds not plausible because in this way the countries will cut off a significant amount of income in form of taxes, however craziness and hysteria does not recognize any logic or reasonable thinking ... sadly.

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

Agreed both Capt Jack and samosali, with rolling brownouts last year, that just proved your point about our straining power grid not being able to handle the added load of charging stations not yet bulit (the politicos don't think about that while they jet around in both planes and limousines, fossil fired of course) Recently I read an article about a Euro Trucker using an EV rig to haul produce, a trip that normally would take just two days ended up over a week with charging stops and the driving time constraints shared by American Truckers. EVs would end up costing consumers more at the cash registers

 

[380Adventurer]

so what is your opinion about it? For those who do not know details, policy is about to prohibit engines with internal combustion from year 2035 on in Europe. To me it is crazy idea due to many reasons. Yes, the pollution should be decreased however will it be decreased for real?
However i do not want to discuss about environment, green energy, etc. I would just like to hear your opinion what does it mean for people like us in this moment, assuming that this crazy idea will come true. So, is it clever to invest into classic car (another w140), newest car maybe (W221, etc.) , or sell everything because it will become useless in the future. I just gave some ideas for discussion, I am not claiming anything.
Thanks,
Samo

Drive what you'd like. Enjoy classic cars if you'd like. Live your life. You cannot prepare for a future governed by crazy people. That's what I'm doing.

I'm American, so I EXPECT to live in freedom. When we finish being STUPID as a nation, we're going to throw these politician bums OUT. It's only a matter of how much damage there will be first.

The EU is more bureaucratic/totalitarian (my opinion). I can't tell you how to navigate that. I'd live according to my first sentence.

Not meant as an insult to the EU or any member nation, like Slovenia - we're right behind you!

If things happen later (giving up IC cars), then they happen. I don't believe it. Don't think that you're "tricking" the govt. by getting another MB or some regular IC car - the gasoline will become so expensive or stop flowing whenever "they" say. And our cars are NOT investments for most of us.

Green Utopias have there own problems that people are not talking about. Utopias are not real. Read about some of them in history - you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[samosali]

Not meant as an insult to the EU or any member nation, like Slovenia - we're right behind you!

I agree with your text about the cars, the remark about stop flowing the gasoline is also something which can easily become true. BTW, Slovenia is the only country in EU with far left government. It was not so less than a year ago. I would not compare US in any way with Slovenia which is on a way of Cuba, Venezuela and similar countries. Like A. Einstein said, the space is limited however human stupidity is not. I know that there is a lot of craziness in US too, however what is happening here is out of any criteria. But it evidently works for more than 60% of people here. They are just not aware that it only works in their heads and not in their valets. It will be too late when they realize they wanted an Utopia.

 

[380Adventurer]

I cannot speak for other countries. I was trying to say that this is all around the world.

All that the "little people" can do is live their lives. Enjoy it. Have summer drives in a few months. I hear Slovenia is beautiful - I'd love to visit that part of the world.

I haven't been to Europe in many years and it may very well be different than I remember.

Any talk about moving from IC cars to electric is going to touch a nerve, because it's wrapped up in politics, pushed by the so-called "elites". Electric is not necessarily the best, but it has been "decided".

I am a technologist. I love technology. IC cars will go away some day, like horses and buggies. Let the BETTER thing win and let the PEOPLE decide what that is and when.

I'll stop here. This is not a political or philosophical forum.

I do get philosophical about the best top-down drives with my classic MB and the wind blowing through my (thinning) hair.

 

[DEALER.]

so what is your opinion about it? For those who do not know details, policy is about to prohibit engines with internal combustion from year 2035 on in Europe. To me it is crazy idea due to many reasons. Yes, the pollution should be decreased however will it be decreased for real?
However i do not want to discuss about environment, green energy, etc. I would just like to hear your opinion what does it mean for people like us in this moment, assuming that this crazy idea will come true. So, is it clever to invest into classic car (another w140), newest car maybe (W221, etc.) , or sell everything because it will become useless in the future. I just gave some ideas for discussion, I am not claiming anything.
Thanks,
Samo

Environment, green energy...... Be realistic you cant even imagine how much can make money on it. Nothing personal just business.
Answer to Your question - regulations. Sometime one picture tells more than 1000 words.

In picture You see regulations in work.

 

[samosali]

I'll stop here. This is not a political or philosophical forum.

of course this is not a political forum however things (laws) related to our cars are created politically lately. Howgh.

 

[Ralf_CT]

In Europe, many change their cars as often as they change their fashion, there they might be able to push EVs. In primarily third world countries, older cars are in the majority, I myself drive a 31-year-old MB while my wife drives a 16-year-old Honda. I don't intend buying a new IC, let alone an EV, never mind the fact that on most days we are without electricity for a total of 8-10 hours out of every 24, and it's getting worse. ICs will still be around for several decades, they will outlive me.

 

[SteveHawaii]

It's not going to happen until they release the technology of free energy which they have covered up.

indeed, that is exactly correct

 

[quakercity]

What is happening in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA is the big-box home centers are now selling lawn mowers (even tractor mowers), weed whackers, and other home equipment that is not gas (the options are smaller). Well coming from a guy that knows electricity/electronics. Lithium hates the cold. I Would NEVER buy a Lithium Tractor Mower for areas that get below 60 degree in the winter-Much of the USA is like that. It is silly to have equipment that you get a hundred charge cycles. Good old gas is the best
Martin

Martin, I will say that for weed wacker and blower, I prefer the battery powered as they always start, assuming battery is charged. I was replacing the gas powered every few years because they would not start.

Now as to the cars, I doubt I will ever buy an EV, Hybrid perhaps like the new ERay Vette, but never pure EV.

Remember, the first EV was at the turn of the century. Then we had to wait 100 years before they came back in fashion. Nothing has changed in that time except maybe the quality of the batteries. You still need an extension cord for them to operate.

All of this is moot, until China and India stop building new coal plants! Meanwhile we are closing our which are paid for and bilking the rate payer for the cost of the new plants. Regulated power companies make their money by investing more money in new plants. Thus it is to their advantage to build new gas fueled plants, since the rate payer is paying for it, AND, they are guaranteed a rate of return usually at 10% or more. Not a bad gig!

They will have to take my V-12 from my cold stiff fingers after I die!

Samo,
Sorry to get off on a political rant on a car forum. I still think that ICE cars will be around as long as I am here, and that is all I care about. The CEO of Nissan thinks that EVs are a fad.

 

[samosali]

Samo,
Sorry to get off on a political rant on a car forum. I still think that ICE cars will be around as long as I am here, and that is all I care about. The CEO of Nissan thinks that EVs are a fad.

that's all right David. My idea also was that we get in area of cars what we have voted for on elections. My next idea was that in Europe this fact is expressed in much more brutal way than in USA. And my last idea was that inside the EU in my country situation is far worst because people here voted for extreme far left parties. Consequently we are getting tears, sadness and hell here. So in my eyes policy is correlated with coefficient 1.00 with what is happening in every day's life and in these days mobility, energy and food are in the first plan. At least this is more than truth here.

I completely agree with everything what you wrote, except I do not have V12 . And maybe i will not be buried in it because I seriously want to sell it due to its most probably worn engine.

 

[Hirnbeiss]

FWIW: I live in central Florida and I took a road trip to visit my son in NC. While proceeding north on I 95 in SC. I had a need to make a pit stop. At the entrance to this rest area was a charging station for EV and the EV were lined up unsafely on the shoulder for at least 1/2 mile before entering the charging station. I completed my pit stop and departed smiling to myself remembering when I sat in gas lines in 1974 waiting my turn to get my 10 gallons of gas thanks to the Saudi’s.
The American electrical grid cannot and IMHO will never be able to provide the needed infrastructure to support EV in any serious amount. Unless the US gets its act together and starts producing nuclear power plants like crazy and we all know that will never happen, no one should fear the loss of ICE any where in the foreseeable future.
Again FWIW I enjoyed my 80mph 26 mpg road trip in my E500. As for myself I will honk and wave at the EV lined up on the shoulders of the highways as I cruise by. Mosel tov

Nice anecdote, but you’re just old and unimaginative. In Germany, modern-day wildcatters harvest the wind, while increasing the number of charging stations is just a matter of time. Personally I am dedicated to combustion engines, but you can’t argue with Tesla’s success.
GM is putting investors dollars to work there: Expanding EV Infrastructure Across the US | General Motors

 

[quakercity]

Nice anecdote, but you’re just old and unimaginative. In Germany, modern-day wildcatters harvest the wind, while increasing the number of charging stations is just a matter of time. Personally I am dedicated to combustion engines, but you can’t argue with Tesla’s success.
GM is putting investors dollars to work there: Expanding EV Infrastructure Across the US | General Motors

Where do you get electricity at night when the sun is down and the wind is not blowing? Germany recently reopened coal fired plants during the gas shortages. We need all types of power, not just wind and solar.

The buyer of EVs in the US get a Tax Credit of up to $7500 which means the taxpayers are therefore supporting EV Manufacturers and therefore their investors. I agree we need new cleaner forms of power production, but at what cost? China and India are greatly increasing their Coal fired generation and their economies as well. The US and other countries are decreasing their coal fired generation and decreasing their competitiveness in the world economy.

Perhaps we need hybrid cars instead of pure EVs. Hybrid works great for F1, why not everyone else?

 

[benonei1]

so what is your opinion about it? For those who do not know details, policy is about to prohibit engines with internal combustion from year 2035 on in Europe. To me it is crazy idea due to many reasons. Yes, the pollution should be decreased however will it be decreased for real?
However i do not want to discuss about environment, green energy, etc. I would just like to hear your opinion what does it mean for people like us in this moment, assuming that this crazy idea will come true. So, is it clever to invest into classic car (another w140), newest car maybe (W221, etc.) , or sell everything because it will become useless in the future. I just gave some ideas for discussion, I am not claiming anything.
Thanks,
Samo

Ride, repair and longevity are a long way from being proven. I took my 1995 W140 to have the brakes done and the shop forgot to tighten the lug nuts. The question remains, does the geographic governmental jurisdictional authority in which you live have the labor to repair the new technology. One also must consider the fact that mining is mining--extracting minerals from the earth. Trends move faster with technology. Therefore, ideas will come en vogue and then tossed aside more quickly. Natural resources are not being managed. Take a drive out through West Texas: the oil patch is littered with cardboard boxes containing empty plastic containers so the men can put diesel exhaust fluid in their trucks.

I have a 95 S320 and a SL320. Attempting to go green in the early '90s, Mercedes-Benz used soybeans in their wiring insulation. It's natural and prone to degrade more quickly. And it did.

Buy whatever kind of car you like. Before the two aforementioned 95s, I had a 2018 Lincoln Continental. It was still under warranty, and it made an odd buzzing noise Ford couldn't fix. If it can't be fixed, it can't be fixed. Us humans will either come around and get to thinking and working, or we will get back to walking more.