Test Equipment Anonymous

I've always felt that vehicle tax should be proportional to the width of the tyres. Perhaps even the square. That would encourage less lardy, less powerful vehicles. It would hit those blasted Chelsea tractors that when taken out into the country are driven far too fast down narrow lanes, and also muscle cars, neither of which are necessary, but are bought for demonstrating that the owner has more money than sense.

I'd prefer the sixth power of the axle load, since that's the damage to the road structure.

The electric cars do tend to be heavier than their equivalent combustion models.

Indeed. A friend has just bought one, but didn't look too pleased when I referred to it as an electric whale. More interestingly, an ex-colleague has bought an electric motorcycle for his commute to work. It looks and feels just like a 125 but apparently has more torque than his Honda VFR800 (vee-four 800cc). Its range is minimal; just enough to get to work and back without fretting (about 25 miles round trip). It charges overnight from an ordinary 13A socket. It's absolutely ideal for him.

EC8010 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2026 4:02 pm also muscle cars, neither of which are necessary, but are bought for demonstrating that the owner has more money than sense.

Over here saying something like that might be best said in the privacy of your own home.


May I crush your EV flat?

MED6753 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2026 1:04 am

EC8010 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2026 4:02 pm also muscle cars, neither of which are necessary, but are bought for demonstrating that the owner has more money than sense.

Over here saying something like that might be best said in the privacy of your own home.


May I crush your EV flat?

Those wouldn't fit down many streets in towns, unless they can demolish terraces of houses

I see the advantage of

EC8010 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2026 4:02 pm I've always felt that vehicle tax should be proportional to the width of the tyres. Perhaps even the square.

tggzzz wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2026 6:08 am

MED6753 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2026 1:04 am

EC8010 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2026 4:02 pm also muscle cars, neither of which are necessary, but are bought for demonstrating that the owner has more money than sense.

Over here saying something like that might be best said in the privacy of your own home.


May I crush your EV flat?

Those wouldn't fit down many streets in towns, unless they can demolish terraces of houses

I know. I've been in your neck of the woods and some of the roads are barely wide enough for two normal sized vehicles to pass.

And negotiating right hand drive was a hoot too.

MED6753 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2026 3:18 pm

tggzzz wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2026 6:08 am

MED6753 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2026 1:04 am

Over here saying something like that might be best said in the privacy of your own home.


May I crush your EV flat?

Those wouldn't fit down many streets in towns, unless they can demolish terraces of houses

I know. I've been in your neck of the woods and some of the roads are barely wide enough for two normal sized vehicles to pass.

As some "driver assistance lane keeping" cars are finding out, especially on country roads.

Memo to self: get a Tesla sales flanked to demonstrate full self driving on some of the roads near me. It will be fun to see how much warning Tesla gives when saying "woah, you have control".

I was under the impression many New England roads were single track.

MED6753 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2026 3:18 pm I know. I've been in your neck of the woods and some of the roads are barely wide enough for two normal sized vehicles to pass

Round here, many lanes have passing places every so often; they're not wide enough for two 1960s cars to pass, let alone the current whales. Nevertheless, the speed limit (unless marked otherwise) is 60mph.

tggzzz wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2026 6:08 am

I was under the impression many New England roads were single track.

Not that I've ever seen and I've traveled extensively in New England. Perhaps in the nearly vacant woods of upper Maine.