New cars, even small ones, have become very expensive, and one reason for that is the mandatory safety equipment that has to be legally sold in the European Union. But the EU wants to change that for city cars, creating a new class of vehicles that will have less safety gear on them, specifically to bring down their acquisition price.
Brilliant idea to skimp on the fucking security features
Why wouldn’t the Chinese companies start to produce these E cars? And if the Chinese produces the E car and sell it in Europe, how will it help the local manufacturing? And I’m not sure the estimated 10 - 20 % lower cost will be enough since the car will be very limited.
The already have 😂
I have seen (youtube) an electric car the size of an Toyota IQ. Price tag 4.000-7.000€ except for the European market 12.000-15.000€ (because of the regultions, I guess).
Video in German: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGz1ofi70_I
China subsidises EV manufacturers directly so EU uses tariffs to bring things to a level playing field. Many EU countries have subsidies for EV buyers which is better because that allows you to buy European, Chinese, Japapnese… Whatever you want, all with the same discount.
No secrets there. If the weight of the Chinese government backs your production you can go as cheap as you need it to sting your competitors.
The next schema is, that Chinese companies produce in the EU. There are some contracts and joint ventures on the way, but all in all the EV market race can simply no be leveled even, no matter the wild and holistic regulatory activism.
What I wouldn’t give for a very simple, reliable, non DRM right to repair electric car where you could test, regroup and swap individual cells when they fail.
No abs. No traction assist. No lane assist etc… No tech beyond heat/AC and a FM radio, cruise control and intermittent wipers.
Edit: Airbags are cool too.
Why no ABS? It’s not rocket science.
Because I know how to drive, well. (Insert soyjack finger pointing here.) I never needed ABS. As an option it’s a great idea because not everyone invests in driving skills. If I could get a cheaper car without it, I would be happy.
I’m so old and poor, I learned to drive in deep snow, freezing rain and ice way before this tech came out. Front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, stick is all fine by me.
Great winter tires are way more useful than ABS, but in Canada only Quebec makes winter tires mandatory, and somehow abs is standard?
Edit: I accept any and all downvotes as admission you can’t drive worth shit. I live in Canada, am an old man and never had an insurance claim despite living as a road warrior for 25 years. Let your downvotes be your admission of lack of skill. :)
Edit 2: I am laughing, coughing and wheezing really, really hard with all your downvotes. Thanks for the laughs.
Remember that you are not alone on the roads. If cars without ABS are being sold some people who can’t drive would get one. Then, during the winter they would cause traffic accidents when they slam the brakes and the wheels lock up.
Of course. I said it’s a great option. A very good technology, for those without skill. I’d be happy if you could pass a test and skip the cost.
ABS adjusts the brake force individually on each wheel. You cannot do that yourself with just one brake pedal. Thus, ABS will always have a shorter brake distance than manually stutter braking.
Yes. A good driver doesn’t test those limits. (Except under controlled circumstances.) We drive cautiously according to conditions. If ABS is triggered, you’ve done something wrong.
Unfortunately you are relying on everyone being a good driver to keep you safe. It’s surprising how many people don’t understand simple concepts such as the impact of speed or stopping distances…or choose to ignore the consequences.
So it’s been proven than ABS can brake much more effectively than threshold braking, which is what most people think of when they say they can brake very well in slippery conditions without ABS.
I’ve driven plenty without ABS too and not a single time have I been at fault for an accident. But modern ESP systems are essentially black magic for safety because all 4 wheels get braked separately depending on conditions. You’d need to have 4 brake pedals to be able to do what modern cars can do for braking.
Besides, there’s nobody stopping you from buying a car without ABS for cheaper. I did for my first car. It was manufactured before I was born, had no fancy electronics and was fairly reliable despite the legendarily bad Jetronic injection system. Cost me around 500 euros and it was a beast of an Audi with an inline 5 engine. Excellent engine sound (but stock exhaust so I didn’t wake everyone up at night).
I think Douglas Adams can explain those downvotes…
Who thinks a FM radio is more important than ABS?
I agree on almost everything but the abs bit. Like seatbelts and airbags they should not be necessary, could everyone be trusted to drive perfectly.
But you see, other people that are not, like yourself, perfect drivers do drive in those cars. Hell, they might even drive your car if you’re in a temporary state of not-perfect-driveryness.
It’s comparable to mouth masks is not about keeping the perfect safe, but to protect the imperfectly healthy (and thereby everybody).
Made in china!?
Has to be made somewhere. Europe could do it but greed and CEO ego ain’t gonna let that happen.
