Board Torque

boardtorque

Richard Stern - Series Director

The onslaught on the motorist doesn’t stop, using any excuse to drive up costs. For many people, cars and vans are not a luxury, they need them to get to work because public transport is inadequate. It’s Car Clubs and organisations that hopefully can voice their concerns against this constant increasing costs.

Petrol prices are now at an all-time high and there seems to be no let up. Panic buying led to fuel companies knowing the motorist would pay what it takes to buy fuel. Reports are coming in that the new E10 petrol is not good for engines (as predicted) and causing problems, time will tell the long-term effects. Shell V-Max has been spotted lowering the octane from 98 to 97 and hoping we don’t notice, I haven’t had a chance to check other companies yet. With prices now around £1.70 per litre how much longer before we see £1.99 or £2.00 a litre really pushing the barriers and hardship.

Road Tax. In April, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is set to rise in line with inflation and will see the cost of owning a petrol or diesel vehicle rise. Inflation hit 5.5 per cent in January, with experts predicting it could rise to as high as eight per cent by April.

The amount of VED, or car tax, a driver pays will depend on how old the car is and how environmentally friendly it is. Electric vehicles will continue to pay nothing in VED for the first year, while all other car tax bands will increase.

ULEZ. The Mayor of London now is pushing for the ULEZ zone to be extended to the M25 around London so the revenue generated will hopefully plug his public transport black hole.

Electric vehicle (EV) sales are growing rapidly. Analysts suggest that EVs will represent at least 25 percent of the global fleet by 2030, up from a small percentage of all cars on the road today. At the heart of every EV is a high-performance rechargeable battery. While there are various types, the lithium-ion battery has emerged as the clear favourite for performance and durability. So, with the skyrocketing demand for EVs comes an equal demand for batteries — and thus the lithium required to produce them.

The challenge is that, to date, lithium production has required moving large amounts of dirt and rocks, and consuming millions of gallons of water to extract this precious resource – it is estimated that 500,000 gallons of water is used to mine one metric ton of lithium.

The process often unsettles local ecosystems, threatens endangered species and disrupts nearby communities. The displacement of thousands of acres of overburden material (dirt and rock) disrupts nearby land and eradicates plant life. The huge quantities of fresh water are often sourced from wells, streams or aquifers that are also used for farming or drinking water, a precious resource in the arid regions where lithium deposits are found.

In addition to environmental concerns there is the impact on local communities. Large earth-moving equipment has invaded quiet, out-ofthe-way towns, and sprawling cattle farms have had new mountains of clay and dirt impede their livestock grazing areas and water supply

EV batteries are not just all about lithium. There are some other key components that are just as potentially harmful to the environment, cobalt and nickel.

Cobalt mining produces a lot of airborne particulate matter, which often contains toxic contaminants like uranium. Inhalation of these substances has been linked to serious health problems, including respiratory disease, cancer, and birth defects.

Cobalt mining sites also often contain sulphur-containing materials that can generate sulphuric acid when exposed to air and water. When this acid drains from the mines, it can devastate rivers, streams and other aquatic and terrestrial environments for a very long time.

Where the batteries for EVs are made is also an important factor when considering their environmental impact. Batteries produced in China produce somewhere in the region of 60% more carbon dioxide than internal combustion engines.

Obviously companies are working on ways to make longer lasting batteries and even endless, but this is all a long way off yet.

SOMMERFEST

I’ve reached out to all Register heads and encourage you all to get on board with this year’s massive show. Some of you will remember in 2004 we had a special M Power day at Rockingham race circuit with Tiff Needle and Vicky ButlerHenderson racing a Williams F1 car against the then new E60 M5 and was a once in a lifetime event. This year’s event will be even more memorable, so don’t miss out. Hope to see many of you at the Southern Concours 24th April, be safe!

BMW Car Club GB Ireland Tour

4th – 8th September 2022 | Killarney, County Kerry

Join fellow BMW owners in exploring some of Ireland’s most dramatic scenery on this relaxed driving holiday. The combination of rugged coastlines, imposing mountains and picturesque villages make this area perfect for exploring in your car. When you are not out enjoying the pre-planned circular daydrives, you will be able to relax at the 5-star Hotel Dunloe & Gardens, which will host us for four nights.

What is included:

• Return cruise ferry crossings from Holyhead –

Dublin with Stena Line (other routes are also available) • 4 nights at the 5-star Hotel Dunloe & Gardens in Killarney, in a double or twin garden room. • Breakfast at the hotel each morning • Sunday evening welcome barbecue in the hotel’s gardens • Wednesday night tour dinner • Use of the hotel’s facilities including swimming pool, gymnasium, horse stables, fishing & indoor tennis courts

• Suggested driving routes, route plans & rally boards

Tour Price:

£879.00 per person (based on 2 people in a car sharing a double or twin room) A non-refundable deposit of £200.00 per person will be required at the time of booking This exclusive tour will be limited to 25 cars.

Please call Travel Destinations on 01707 329988 to reserve your place.