Coronavirus Lockdown Sees Air Pollution Plummet Across UK
Air pollution levels in the UK have dropped significantly in the two weeks since the country went into lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. Some cities have seen nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels fall by up to 60% on the same period last year, analysis show. NO2, released from car exhausts, is a serious air pollutant and also indirectly contributes to the warming of the planet.
e-zoomed view
We at e-zoomed have been vocal about air pollution for quite sometime. However, the ongoing Coronavirus predicament has certainly give us all a valuable insight into a world with lower levels of transportation congestion and lower air pollution.
On cannot over exaggerate the invaluable lesson to be gained from the present. We are not saying that all vehicular traffic needs to be banned, but we must as a society be more judicious in understanding the impact of pollution from all forms of transportation, to include internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles (passenger and commercial vehicles). And in our view, it is just not about reducing or banning tailpipe emissions, we in fact suggest a more comprehensive approach, that will reduce personal car ownership, in particular, in city centres.
In our view, we need to introduce legislation that will restrict the number of vehicles owned by a household, particularly in city centres. We need to this boldly and execute a paradigm shift, not small iterations. In our view, personal car ownership in major city centres in the UK should be reduced by 75% within 24 to 36 months. Local authorities need to further improve public transportation, introduce mobility sharing schemes and also encourage city dwellers to use other forms of transportation, to include e-bikes and e-scooters. We agree with the comments in the above article. We simply cannot go back to the status quo pre-coronavirus. That would be a tragic mistake for us, with severe negative implications for many generations. We hope we evolve positively from the current crisis.
Lower Gasoline Prices Unlikely To Deter Potential Electric-Car Buyers
The drop in oil prices to their lowest level in about two decades is unlikely to deter the small but growing number of consumers making the switch from gasoline to electric cars, analysts say, as tax benefits and the allure of zero-emission driving are expected to insulate demand. The price of a tank of gas in the U.S. has fallen about 20%, compared with a month ago and 15% in the UK.
e-zoomed view
This is certainly an interesting assessment. However, not surprising. The reason: individuals and families are orphaning internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for green cars (battery-electric vehicles), is because they demand transportation solutions that are cleaner with a lower negative impact to the environment. The primary motive for potential owners of electric cars is the attractive environmental credentials of zero-emission electric driving. Even if the price of ‘gas’ continues to fall, in our view, it will not stop the fast emerging tide of consumers globally seeking lower emission to emission-free electric vehicles.
Tesla Engineers Are Building Ventilators For Coronavirus Patients Out Of Car Parts – Take A Look
A month ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed some skepticism about the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped Tesla engineers from working to address the shortage of much-needed ventilators in American hospitals facing an influx of COVID-19 cases.
e-zoomed view
The current predicament is unprecedented, but it is always uplifting to witness the potential for ‘good’ in people and companies, as they go beyond their traditional boundaries of operations for the greater good of society. This is not the first time, Elon Musk, has offered to help in a precarious time. We applaud him, for once again showing leadership beyond his responsibilities. Of course, it is worth pointing out, that apart from Tesla Inc., a number of automotive manufacturers have stepped in at this crucial time to manufacture ventilators. We at e-zoomed applaud them all!
We at e-zoomed are more than happy to assist you buying your Next Green Car and with all your EV needs, to include:
- Compare and buy an electric car in the UK
- Compare affordable electric car finance and lease deals in the UK
- Compare and buy best electric car insurance deals in the UK
- Compare and buy best electric car breakdown cover in the UK
- Compare and buy green electricity for your home and electric vehicle
- Compare and buy best priced electric car charging cables and EV accessories
- Compare and buy best e-scooters!
