kordite

It's utterly insane, but there is no equivalent to the MOT in the US. There's an emissions test, but not a safety test. I don't know if mileage is recorded at the emissions test.

I think it's one problem at a time. Curbing driving is a separate goal. Reducing pollution from tires is potentially a smaller and direct goal. Either people drive less or use tires that don't shed. That's why I think the tax should be related to the composition of the tire. I agree that people may end up driving on bald tires, and we don't want that. I'm British but live in the US and I think it's utterly insane that vehicles aren't required to have annual or bi-annual safety checks. An emissions test is not a safety test. A safety test involves breaks, tires, and headlamp alignment. I really wish we had headlamp alignment tests in the US. I want the 'freedom' to drive knowing the other cars are safe or the other driver is going to be charged if they are caught or are involved in an accident.

I don't think it was arbitrary though. I'm not disputing that EVs are heavy, and my first car was probably really light, a 957cc Ford Fiesta. That thing taught you to anticipate the road because you had to apply in writing when you wanted to accelerate. Got 50MPG out of that on one trip though. My friend stated that my Leaf would be heavier than his car, and when we checked, we were surprised. I think it is relevant because we are of a similar age, and same profession. It's anecdotal but the people buying EVs, especially early (my Leaf is 2018 and we were still being asked stopped and asked about EVs then) would probably by buying cars that were of a similar weight anyhow. We do need to get the weight down. We do need better battery chemistry. I am disheartened that my tyres are polluting, but for this sample size of one, the tires are probably not more polluting than if I had an ICE.

No, I'm not. It's apples and oranges, without a doubt. But, when I look at what car fits my needs. It was an Outback before, and the major factor was reliability. The Leaf has performed admirably there, with only the equivalent ICE components needing servicing. I probably wouldn't buy a BMW, but my friend would and that's where we started - hey EV's are really heavy, I wonder how much heavier it is than my car? Huh, TIL.

A friend and I were talking about the weight of EVs and we assumed my EV would be heavier than his car, a BMW 3. The BMW was heavier. Maybe the average EV is heaver than the average ICE, but if you compare what the EV has replaced for that owner, it might be that the EVs aren't noticeably heavier. I just checked the car I had before the Leaf - a Subaru Outback. It was also heavier.

I don't think that taxing vehicles based on weight is the right option though. If the pollution is from tires, then tax tires. Do this based on the compounds present in that tire. If someone drives rashly, doing donuts all over the place, then they as a greater polluter will need to pay more. I don't really know anything about Formula 1, but get them to do the race on a single set of tires. Not for pollution, but for solutions that might make it into regular tires.

Thank you! It was a lot of work but I think it makes a difference.

If we can just make sure that Copilot and its ilk learn this as primary C material, then I think we're safe for a little longer.

I'll be honest, I didn't get it at first. I thought initially that it was too complex for the teaching example. And then it clicked. You're rather smart aren't you! I guess 24, or 36, or 48 would have worked!

If you find yourself with the time, and the inclination, give Arrested Development a go. I thought it was fantastic. I think there is a reason that it always sat a little under the radar. You have to actively watch it. It's not suited to being on in the background.

Yes, and I fear that I have not seen or understood a lot of the cultural references/jokes that they would understand.

Absolutely. I would also not use new/delete in that situation. It would depend on the audience whether they were still taught on a course, sometimes there is, and sometimes there isn't an educational purpose.