Sir, – I have had a pure electric vehicle for one year now. I got it because I used to drive one occasionally at work and just liked driving it. It was nothing to do with the environment really.
EVs are not for everybody. I use the EV and my uses wife the petrol vehicle. We each need a car, therefore, have the best of both worlds: the EV for commuting and the petrol for other use.
We drive similar miles and both realise I pay less for off-peak electric than my wife does for petrol.
With regards to claims that the electricity supply grid is facing overload, my EV charges at about 2.4 kw for about four hours each night.
That is not much different from one single off-peak electric heater.
My normal daily commute is approximately 20 to 30 miles. If the electricity supply network gets to a stage where demand is at risk then the last thing to worry about I imagine is EVs that trickle a charge overnight.
Does there have to be a winner with regards to emissions anyway?
Fuel cars or electric can be improved on emission-wise through continued research and development.
At the end of the day the market decides.
Paul Macqueen.
18 Mansfield Road,
Balmullo.
We must adapt to new reality
Sir, – If Clark Cross (May 21) takes my saying there wasn’t much correct in his previous letter as a personal attack, I can only apologise.
The scientific paper by Timmers and Achten he refers us to, and I’ll freely admit that paper is intentionally over-simplistic, assumes zero brake wear emissions for electric cars.
That’s a 100% improvement compared to conventional cars.
Conversely, Mr Cross incorrectly said electric cars “create more brake dust”.
So, can I reassure Mr Cross there was no attack on him to divert attention from the facts. The facts help.
GM Lindsay’s letter raised the issue of the electricity grid and security of supply.
Electric cars actually have the potential to help with grid stability, and that’s not something available from conventional cars.
On supply from “useless” renewable energy, the following anecdotes may be interesting.
Reportedly, Portugal recently powered its electricity grid for four straight days (107 hours to be exact) from nothing but renewable energy.
Closer to home, apparently for the first time since 1882, the UK’s grid was running without the use of coal. It’s not the same world it used to be.
Gordon Pay.
Eden Park,
Cupar.
Punish all misbehaviour
Sir, – Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan says that the pitch invasion by Hibs fans at the Scottish Cup final was “embarrassing, shocking and appalling”.
I certainly cannot disagree with that as a fair characterisation of the actions of those individuals who assaulted Rangers players and officials.
Nevertheless, where was Mr Regan’s embarrassment, shock and lightning-fast condemnation back in April when the Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final was marred by persistent bouts of sectarian singing and chanting?
His silence in the aftermath of that particular instance of embarrassing, shocking and appalling behaviour was deafening – as it was again on Saturday, when The Billy Boys made yet another appearance. Throughout his tenure at Hampden, Mr Regan has utterly failed to take a clear, tough and consistent stance against fan mis-behaviour by being as soft on bigotry as his predecessors.
It appears that Mr Regan is perfectly comfortable with supporters, for example, singing of being “up to our knees” in the blood of those with Irish or Catholic heritage. When they do, he does not rush to issue a condemnatory press release. Scottish football appears to be commendably intolerant of on-field violence, yet disturbingly tolerant of off-field sectarianism.
The police’s post-match investigation and the remit of the SFA’s independent inquiry into Saturday’s disorder should extend beyond the on-field events to cover fan misbehaviour on the terraces. Both must be condemned and punished.
David Kelly.
17 Highfields,
Dunblane.
Jim Sillars should return
Sir, – Assuming Nicola Sturgeon does not use recent events to kick the summer of love campaign into the machair, who will she choose to change the minds of the oldies, proddies, and self-made toffs who stand between Scotland and the SNP’s beautiful dream?
The Holyrood barrel has been well and truly scraped to form a cabinet and, once she eliminates rookies and those best kept hidden from view or tainted by scandal among the Westminster team, she is left with just Pete Wishart and Alex Salmond.
What she needs is a long-serving SNP member, a true socialist and an inspiring orator with a clear economic, constitutional and social vision and a credible position on the currency and the EU. Step forward Mr James Sillars.
Allan Sutherland.
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
Go for real independence
Sir, – Nicola Sturgeon’s idea of independence leaves me rather confused.
I can understand, though I don’t agree with, her stance on an independent Scotland.
But someone who wishes independence for their nation yet is determined to hold on to its involvement with Europe is beyond my understanding.
Surely the nature and meaning of independence is to be free of all restrictions placed on your great nation by others.
If Ms Sturgeon believes in independence then she should go for it and not be subservient to unelected figureheads in Brussels.
Willie Robertson.
Grianan,
Lynton.
Stanley.
Do what’s right in referendum
Sir, – Derek Shaw appeals for a start to a sensible debate on the UK’s EU membership, focusing on the pros and cons (May 20).
Perhaps I could contribute by summarising that which I have so far encountered.
The Leave campaign consists of many small business owners and individuals and their key word would seem to be principle.
They object on principle to an independent and sovereign country remaining subordinate to an organisation which passes 2,500 regulations every year.
They see this as bad for Britain; some see it as fundamentally wrong.
On the other side, the key word for the Remain campaign, which includes big banks, financial institutions and governments, is consequence.
They are motivated by the consequence of departure and warn of loss of trade, loss of jobs, possible recession and loss of safety.
Being a small business owner I cannot claim impartiality, and some people may well consider that the greater principles lie on the Remain side. Nevertheless, when the debating has ended, let us as informed people cast our vote firstly with regard to what we believe to be right, and secondly with what we consider to be in our best financial interests.
Stuart Wishart.
12 Walnut Grove
Blairgowrie.
Break news to SNP faithful
Sir, – That the latest opinion polls in Scotland (in the advent of a Brexit vote) show little appetite for another referendum, must come as a relief for Ms Sturgeon and the SNP hierarchy as the same poll also shows the support for independence slipping by 5%.
This is hardly surprising when one considers a Scotland outside the United Kingdom and the EU markets represents a threat to around 82% of Scotland’s exports of which the United Kingdom represents a whopping 65%.
Then there are the small matters of currency, border controls and a current account deficit more than double the United Kingdom (the worst by far out of the 34 OECD countries) giving the SNP something to ponder about.
Perhaps during Ms Sturgeon’s summer initiative, rather than try to persuade the no voters to change their minds, voters who are well aware of the above issues, she should start the process by explaining the implications of these simple facts to her own adoring party faithful.
However, that would be like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas.
Ian Lakin.
Pinelands,
Murtle Den Road,
Milltimber.