Oct 4: Dieselgate one year later

Seemed like a good idea at the time, a clean diesel engine to power some of the most popular cars on the planet, the Volkswagen line up. Everyone loved them, since they had produced what seemed impossible to everyone else, a clean diesel engine. Way to go guys. Well, as the whole world knows by now, this neat little accomplishment was all so much bulls_ _ _ . A nice little lie and a smart deception, that no one would ever figure out. Except, that one year later, we all know that someone did figure it out. This little bit of egg on VW's corporate face ended up causing a drop in their credibility and their sales. Oh, and one more thing, a few billion dollars in fines, lawsuits and dealer settlements. Ah, creativity. Wonderful when you get it right, but hell when you lie about it.

So, now we can see the future a little more clearly. That great diesel, the mainstay of all those cars in Europe, has emerged as a dirty word..........

What's next? Elon Musk, the world's real life Iron Man, to the rescue.......

Elon has been hawking his amazing Tesla fully electric car for the past few short years and has made the term electric car seem like it might be a reality, not just some cover story in one of those mechanics sci-fi magazines that populate the news stands. Starting with his luxurious (read expensive) S model above and with a promise of a Tesla for the masses with the Model 3 below......

He has raised electric car awareness and made it seem like the real deal. The nirvana of future driving, so to speak. So if Musk can do it, maybe others can do it as well and possibly better. VW thinks so. In an abrupt face from their love of diesels, to their love of electricity, VW has announced their (and maybe our) future. Behold the ID......

Shown to the public for the first time this week at the Paris Auto Show, Volkswagen will have this Golf sized electric on the road by 2020 and in true Elon Musk fashion, they have predicted (promised?) world wide sales of their electric cars to hit three million by 2025. I say in Elon Musk fashion, since he is predicting Tesla sales of five hundred thousand by the end of 2018. Possible? In Tesla's case, no it is not. In VW's case, maybe, but to this blogger, it seems a touch optimistic. Either way, the first ID is supposed to have a range of up to 370 miles or to us Canadians, about 600 kms. If they can do this and I'm sure they will, this makes a pure electric car quite practical and with those production numbers, affordable.

And VW is not the only company to be charged up (get it?) about electric cars. Mercedes has also been stung by the diesel curse. No they didn't lie, but the trickle down affect has hurt them as well. Presently hundreds of their diesel sport utes are sitting in compounds in Toronto or at port, unsaleable until they get approval from the government. If it comes, there will be a temporary glut on the Canadian market early in the new year. If it doesn't come, well then, hundreds of Benz suvs will find a home somewhere else in the world. Somewhere the emissions standards are, shall we say, a bit laxer than in North America. China or the Middle East come to mind?

So to Benz's credit, they also have seen the electric light and at Paris introduced the first model in what will become their electric sub-brand.........

Starting in 2019 with this attractive suv or crossover (pick your preferred terminology), the Generation EQ will begat an entire line of pure electrics. Might as well start with the most popular type of vehicle on the planet. Like the VW ID, the EQ's range will be substantial, so no more of those annoying half hour "quick" charges, as you make your way to Florida for a much deserved winter break.

And let's not forget about Nissan. One of the first to market with an electric, the Leaf. Homely as sin and with a range that would give any normal person driving anxiety, the Leaf hasn't made much of an impression, but expect that to change. Using Nissan's new design language, the next Leaf will sure look different and will certainly go further..........

With an in your face look, that a few years ago, would never have seen the showroom floor, but these days it fits right in with the current Nissan vibe. Don't expect much change, when the new Leaf makes its electrifying debut.

Good ol' VW. Tell a little untruth and change the way we think about what powers our cars. Based on the current infrastructure, can we support all the charging going on to keep these new vehicles running? Now, that is a very good question and one that greater minds than mine are fretting over as I write this blog.

And less you think that only the mainstream cars will be electric, take a look at what else might show up at your local charging station.......

This is the Japanese backed Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTS, proposed but not quite into production yet. Look, this really doesn't fit into today's blog's theme, but it is electric and with that name, how could I leave it out?

So next time you experience a brown out, think of VW and curse them in the dark.

Until next time......