March 2020

MARCH 2020 AFTERMARKET 7 Aftermarket’s articles often provide a talking point for readers in the workshop. If you want to widen the conversation and see you views in print, please email the Editor at alex@aftermarket.co.uk I read with interest the article in Aftermarket’s February 2020 issue by McLaren Automotive’s Matt Heale about EVs, and the advantages offered by hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. I have been in the motor trade all my working life, but I think the government’s decision to prioritise battery EVs is one of the worst ideas it has ever had. For one thing, the infrastructure to charge millions of cars, which will only cover 100 miles if you’re lucky, is just not there. It’s a joke. Can you imagine a M1 service station with hundreds of cars trying to charge? Considering it can take hours to charge a car, how big will the services need to become. Also, who will pay for the cabling and charge points? Yes, that’s right; You. As Matt rightly pointed out, we are overlooking Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles A Hydrogen cell EV can do 300 miles on a tank, and refilling it takes only a few minutes, just like a petrol or diesel car. There are already four manufacturers who have models in the UK on the market right now – Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Renault and there are filling stations right around the country. In 2017, the Metropolitan Police bought 11 such cars, while Sheffield City Council also fields a small fleet. Current service stations could easily convert. Shell, BP and BOC are all involved in setting up filling points. Other countries are already ahead of us, with France, USA, Norway and Germany all having many filling points. If you want to keep going, think hydrogen or lose your business to batteries. Contact your MP and make it happen. Do some research and find out more. I ran my garage business, Vines Cross Engineers, with my son for 40 year. While we were only a small village garage, we did all sorts of repairs, modifications and fabrications. We did gas conversions from the start too. Beyond the trade I am also a parish councillor, and we have a meeting with our MP next month where the issue of hydrogen vehicles will be discussed. It should be interesting. Graham Knight, Viners Cross, East Sussex Reader response sart e p tiv omo utA tric subishi Elec Mit enuine 100% g Without Compromise eered and manufactured to the high s for which Mitsubishi Electric is renowned, Mitsubishi Electric parts available erfP ormance Designed, engin d quality standar exceeding the expectations of car and truck manufacturer t us f or contac or more information. s.