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The government must do more to support green transport options, says TV motoring hack Quentin Wilson. In an interview with Saab, Wilson -- the former Top Gear presenter and possibly the last person we'd expect to see talking up green things -- explains that tax breaks for greener cars are vital and biofuels are just a stepping stone to a more permanent solution to the emissions problem.
"Currently, drivers of certain 'green' cars get a mere £100 off their road tax. This is insulting! And nothing will change unless the government starts leading by example," says Wilson.
"For example, where are the rebates of several thousand pounds to buyers of low-emission cars, which would really create a critical mass of green car drivers?"
Wilson goes on to explain that the biggest problem with the uptake of biofuels is misinformation and confusion. A healthy dose of scepticism is wise here, however, as the interview was hosted by Saab as part of a promotion of their BioPower range.
"We need to actually prove that the CO2 involved in its production is minimal and that the CO2 emissions from ethanol-powered cars are significantly lower than petrol cars. These are two very important qualifications. If we could synthesise the production of biofuels in a laboratory, in my view this would be even better," he says.
"So, if public perception is that biofuels would actually be worse than fossil fuels, worse than oil, any potential positive feeling about bioethanol will be wiped out. Unfortunately for the consumer, the whole biofuel argument is getting more and more confused."
But any interview that sees Wilson -- who has spent his career talking up gas-guzzlers -- speak enthusiastically about hydrogen and biofuel, is a positive sign. Perhaps one day we'll even see Jeremy Clarkson extolling the virtues of small, economical cars?
25 January 2008 03:30am
Interesting that Wilson reckons the biofuel argument is getting confused.
I think perhaps what he actually means is that in recent years the motor industry has developed a considerable vested interest in the biofuel 'solution' and that when the benefits are drawn into question by stories such as the one about massive third world deforrestation to make way for biofuel plantations... then the auto industry tends to get a little annoyed, because it tends to confuse auto buyers and give them pause. As indeed I was inclined to do upon hearing Wilson himself state: "We need to actually prove that the CO2 involved in its [biofuel] production is minimal and that the CO2 emissions from ethanol-powered cars are significantly lower than petrol cars."
Ahem. Okay, so let's get this straight. If the industry has its way these alternate fuels will account for 20% of the market in a decade or so, but we haven't yet actually proved the environmental benefits of achieving that target? Yes, the word confusion certainly does come to mind.
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