Start with an idea

Something is afoot.. energy price rises seem to be regular this day. Emissions from diesel fuels have been highlighted to be particularly harmful and a number of UK cities are considering a ban (e.g Bristol), Ultra Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ, see London). Sale of new internal combustion engines (ICE) vehicles are set to be banned in the UK from 2035.

Is there anything we can do about this? Perhaps we can take the opportunity to share ideas that lower our Carbon Footprint, hopefully lower our costs along the way but ultimately take steps to care for our planet. It can be daunting or even overwhelming to starting looking into all the tech possibilities and choices available to us, this site seeks to simplify and demystify current technologies.

We must remain kind to each other and it helps to be open minded about the possibilities:

1. We always have to start by bearing in mind that no single solution will work out for everyone. Most times enabling work-around solutions can be applied but sometimes the purported benefit is not there for a particular set of individuals with particular circumstances. However, surely it would not be right a solution should not be discarded just because it is not perfect for everyone.
2. Instead, perhaps it would make sense to roll it out to those who can readily make use of the benefit first and then spend more time focusing on bespoke solutions for those whose circumstances are more challenging. Other rollout strategies do exist but the strategy has to be proportionate to the impact that needs to be managed. For example, in some cases the priority has to be for a solution for all users to be in place first before any change is made at all (e.g. Payment systems!!! usually fit in the category) but this usually increases the overall gestation period.
3. Overtime, ‘technology’ (EV / batteries / etc) will filter down into the second hand markets and bring down prices with it. What this means, is although we cannot all switch to EVs today but over few decades the gradual transition can take place. What is not possible to day can become an easy reality in the next 20 years (I remember conversations and arguments about whether automatic vehicles could ever become the norm).
4. Early adopters always carry the significant burden of risk, however they also get the pick of opportunity. In the world of EVs, those who got the first Nissan Leaf will have benefited the longest from low fuel costs, there were also more free public charging locations that there are now. Those who invested in solar a few years ago benefited from Feed in Tariff payments (FIT). Surely an additional motivation for us all as individuals is to learn more so that we can be poised to take advantage when the opportunity for benefit becomes available to us.