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I mean ministers and other head of states. Like is there any single reason why Biden has not already replaced the Presidential state car with BEV? Surely if it

by Ekaros 3y ago

I mean ministers and other head of states. Like is there any single reason why Biden has not already replaced the Presidential state car with BEV? Surely if it is good enough for voters it is good enough for him.

rsynnott 3y ago
Oh, right. That would be very expensive (head-of-state cars are often essentially one-offs, are replaced rarely, and have unusual operational requirements), and would seem rather performative? Ministerial cars etc would be more practical, but you're probably talking about, what, maximum 50 vehicles per country? There was a minor scandal in Ireland last year because, of the 30 of so cars used for ministerial protection (this was only reintroduced as a thing the previous year; before that ministers had to get around on their own), only one was electric, and 9 of them weren't even PHEVs. This feels like relatively a fuss about nothing; the state (or semi-states) also operates over 2,000 buses, of which currently only about 100 are fully electric, say (another 300 on order). That feels like a better place to focus than a fleet of 30 cars, many of which don't see a lot of use.
- Dalewyn 3y ago
  >you're probably talking about, what, maximum 50 vehicles per country? It's the principle of the matter. It's like how politicians and talking heads flying by executive jet to a metropolitan dinner party can't and won't convince the commons to not travel and not eat hearty meals and not drink good booze.
  - rsynnott 3y ago
    I don't think it is; in this instance the electric car would be much more expensive than the mid-range Volvos or similar traditionally used in this role. Like, I'd expect that these cars will be electric sooner or later, but replacing them out of sync would probably not be the best use of funds.
    - Dalewyn 3y ago
      >I don't think it is Don't you remember the absolute furor when Nancy Pelosi was found out getting haircuts at her stylist and BoJo was off partying with his mates in the middle of the covid lockdowns, demanding/mandating everyone to stay home? The latter ultimately got fired for it. You as a politician aren't going to convince anyone to buy 100% EV unless you do it first. Scrap all your executive jets (and no flying at all for that matter), replace all your fueled ground vehicles with electric, handle as much if not all your politicking and diplomatizing remotely over the phone or internet (no more metropolitan dinner parties). Then we can talk about the commons also sacrificing likewise. Incidentally, not leading by example (or Eating Your Own Dogfood) is one of the biggest reasons why politician is such a hated occupation.

by Ekaros 3y ago

rsynnott 3y ago

Oh, right. That would be very expensive (head-of-state cars are often essentially one-offs, are replaced rarely, and have unusual operational requirements), and would seem rather performative? Ministerial cars etc would be more practical, but you're probably talking about, what, maximum 50 vehicles per country? There was a minor scandal in Ireland last year because, of the 30 of so cars used for ministerial protection (this was only reintroduced as a thing the previous year; before that ministers had to get around on their own), only one was electric, and 9 of them weren't even PHEVs. This feels like relatively a fuss about nothing; the state (or semi-states) also operates over 2,000 buses, of which currently only about 100 are fully electric, say (another 300 on order). That feels like a better place to focus than a fleet of 30 cars, many of which don't see a lot of use.

Dalewyn 3y ago
>you're probably talking about, what, maximum 50 vehicles per country? It's the principle of the matter. It's like how politicians and talking heads flying by executive jet to a metropolitan dinner party can't and won't convince the commons to not travel and not eat hearty meals and not drink good booze.
- rsynnott 3y ago
  I don't think it is; in this instance the electric car would be much more expensive than the mid-range Volvos or similar traditionally used in this role. Like, I'd expect that these cars will be electric sooner or later, but replacing them out of sync would probably not be the best use of funds.
  - Dalewyn 3y ago
    >I don't think it is Don't you remember the absolute furor when Nancy Pelosi was found out getting haircuts at her stylist and BoJo was off partying with his mates in the middle of the covid lockdowns, demanding/mandating everyone to stay home? The latter ultimately got fired for it. You as a politician aren't going to convince anyone to buy 100% EV unless you do it first. Scrap all your executive jets (and no flying at all for that matter), replace all your fueled ground vehicles with electric, handle as much if not all your politicking and diplomatizing remotely over the phone or internet (no more metropolitan dinner parties). Then we can talk about the commons also sacrificing likewise. Incidentally, not leading by example (or Eating Your Own Dogfood) is one of the biggest reasons why politician is such a hated occupation.