New Zero electric bike.

Sister Sledge · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2018 Karma :

It's coming. I'm kinda glad I'll be ded when life is so controlled by government and corporations.

My energy supplier has given up with spamming me into getting a smart meter. Currently, if you move to a property which has one and you don't want it, you can have it removed for free.

To generate free leccy I think the only way would be to install lots and lots of solar panels. Should help keep bills low at the very least.
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CCM 404 DS

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

I have 360 watts of solar (I think its 360, somewhere near that anyway) on my boat.

Expensive German panels, top of the range MPPT solar controller and it all cost the best part of a grand.

In summer I get enough charge into my batteries to happily run my fridge, TV, internet and lights over night. In winter it's useless.

Yes it's free electric when you are out on the cut but if I was permanently off the grid I'd want at least twice the wattage just to be safe, and that's with a generator and the engine for backup on a boat.

For a house I reckon you would need your roof covering and that would only be worth it if you roof faces the right direction to catch the sun.

Solar takes a lot of space for not a lot of power.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

An interesting point on news feed today.

The Committee on Climate Change believes the cost of electric cars will be similar to that of petrol or diesel vehicles by 2024-25.

Now that to me is interesting because I cannot see battery prices dropping. Jaguar have already slowed down production if their I-Pace because they can't get batteries.

The UK's most popular electric car, the Nissan Leaf, costs £26,000 for a basic model. The government does provide a £3,500 subsidy but for many motorists, the cost is still too high.

So, is the government going to increase subsidy, drop VAT on electric cars or try and drive us off ICE vehicles by taxing them to the hilt. I know where my money is.

Another interesting point.

It has been estimated the UK needs to have 25 million charging points for electric vehicles. There are now nearly 11,000 places in the UK where you can charge electric vehicles.

That's one hell of a gap.

And the final point from that piece.

At present, there is a very small second-hand market for electric cars. That's because they make up less than 1% of the total number of cars on UK roads.

1%. Not the biggest take up. I expect there are more electric milk floats around.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40726868
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

Riejufixing · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jun 2018 Karma :

bhinso · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Karma :

Brexit to blame?

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

Solar powered energy/transport.
3 acres of grassland.
Grow grass.
Harvest surplus for hay/silage.
Keep horses/mules/donkeys.

Ain't cheap or easy but it kept the country going for centuries longer than fossil fuels have.

And it's green.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

Seen the bike. Nice idea... just two things I'd like to see on electric bikes:

1. Not crazy long charging times.
2. Modular batteries so can charge one externally and easily it swap out for instant juice when in need.

Perhaps it would work better on smaller bikes, like scooters. I think we'll get there eventually on bigger bikes also.