20-11-2020, 12:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 20-11-2020, 12:45 PM by Andy Bennett.)
I think that the timing of this announcement says a lot.
It comes days before G20, with UK as hosts and trying to reposition itself outside of the EU as a Global player and Driver (excuse the pun) for post Jan 1st Brexit.
Then you have the motor industry. They cannot possibly say it can't be achieved. If Audi says 'no problem' but BMW says 'that's stupid, we won't be ready' then Audi shares double and BMW halves, with BMW Chair losing his job. So what happens? All the car manufacturers line up to say it will be fine and they will be ready with the right cars at the right price. Then they privately hope it won't happen and all lobby behind the scenes to get the date moved on.
But, when it comes to China, we need to watch and learn (not from their political system). I have spent a reasonable amount if time working in China from late 90s, including setting up a representative office, and learnt to never underestimate their desire to be seen as world leaders and to throw whatever is needed at a stated 5 year plan objective. China, like the UK, is running at just sub 40% energy from renewables. But their energy use is expanding rapidly so they are actually storming ahead with renewable installations (alongside too much coal).
This is a picture I took in 2004 on a sunny summer's day in Beijing. You could taste the pollution. It was pretty much the point that the Communist party decided to do something about it and thy realised it could be a technology they could lead the world in.
I remember when I installed a solar hot water system at our house 20 years ago. I was quoted £15k for a German system and £1K for a Chinese copy. I bought the Chinese one and it is still working well. 2 years ago we installed PV panels, Chinese of course. But this time not Chinese copies, this time Chinese designed, leading technology for domestic solar panel efficiency.
The West spends half its life suggesting that China is a polluting third world country. Meanwhile, China quietly takes over the world of green technology.
It would not surprise me one little bit to hear that a charging centre was being built on the outskirts of Beijing capable of charging a thousand cars and that charging points were to be installed in all new houses and in streets. It is just what they would do.
Andy B
It comes days before G20, with UK as hosts and trying to reposition itself outside of the EU as a Global player and Driver (excuse the pun) for post Jan 1st Brexit.
Then you have the motor industry. They cannot possibly say it can't be achieved. If Audi says 'no problem' but BMW says 'that's stupid, we won't be ready' then Audi shares double and BMW halves, with BMW Chair losing his job. So what happens? All the car manufacturers line up to say it will be fine and they will be ready with the right cars at the right price. Then they privately hope it won't happen and all lobby behind the scenes to get the date moved on.
But, when it comes to China, we need to watch and learn (not from their political system). I have spent a reasonable amount if time working in China from late 90s, including setting up a representative office, and learnt to never underestimate their desire to be seen as world leaders and to throw whatever is needed at a stated 5 year plan objective. China, like the UK, is running at just sub 40% energy from renewables. But their energy use is expanding rapidly so they are actually storming ahead with renewable installations (alongside too much coal).
This is a picture I took in 2004 on a sunny summer's day in Beijing. You could taste the pollution. It was pretty much the point that the Communist party decided to do something about it and thy realised it could be a technology they could lead the world in.
I remember when I installed a solar hot water system at our house 20 years ago. I was quoted £15k for a German system and £1K for a Chinese copy. I bought the Chinese one and it is still working well. 2 years ago we installed PV panels, Chinese of course. But this time not Chinese copies, this time Chinese designed, leading technology for domestic solar panel efficiency.
The West spends half its life suggesting that China is a polluting third world country. Meanwhile, China quietly takes over the world of green technology.
It would not surprise me one little bit to hear that a charging centre was being built on the outskirts of Beijing capable of charging a thousand cars and that charging points were to be installed in all new houses and in streets. It is just what they would do.
Andy B
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think!