this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2025

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EU Planning New Affordable EV Class to Counter China (insideevs.com)

submitted 1 month ago by maam@feddit.uk to c/buyeuropean@feddit.uk

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[–] Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 month ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (3 children)

What I wouldn't give for a very simple, reliable, non DRM right to repair electric car where you could test, regroup and swap individual cells when they fail.

No abs. No traction assist. No lane assist etc... No tech beyond heat/AC and a FM radio, cruise control and intermittent wipers.

Edit: Airbags are cool too.

[–] Successful_Try543@feddit.org 26 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Why no ABS? It's not rocket science.

[+] Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca -28 points 1 month ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (3 children)

Because I know how to drive, well. (Insert soyjack finger pointing here.) I never needed ABS. As an option it's a great idea because not everyone invests in driving skills. If I could get a cheaper car without it, I would be happy.

I'm so old and poor, I learned to drive in deep snow, freezing rain and ice way before this tech came out. Front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, stick is all fine by me.

Great winter tires are way more useful than ABS, but in Canada only Quebec makes winter tires mandatory, and somehow abs is standard?

Edit: I accept any and all downvotes as admission you can't drive worth shit. I live in Canada, am an old man and never had an insurance claim despite living as a road warrior for 25 years. Let your downvotes be your admission of lack of skill. :)

Edit 2: I am laughing, coughing and wheezing really, really hard with all your downvotes. Thanks for the laughs.

[–] Kjell@lemmy.world 16 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Remember that you are not alone on the roads. If cars without ABS are being sold some people who can't drive would get one. Then, during the winter they would cause traffic accidents when they slam the brakes and the wheels lock up.

[+] Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca -10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Of course. I said it's a great option. A very good technology, for those without skill. I'd be happy if you could pass a test and skip the cost.

[–] Successful_Try543@feddit.org 13 points 1 month ago (1 children)

ABS adjusts the brake force individually on each wheel. You cannot do that yourself with just one brake pedal. Thus, ABS will always have a shorter brake distance than manually stutter braking.

[+] Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca -6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Yes. A good driver doesn't test those limits. (Except under controlled circumstances.) We drive cautiously according to conditions. If ABS is triggered, you've done something wrong.

[–] Cherry@piefed.social 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Unfortunately you are relying on everyone being a good driver to keep you safe. It’s surprising how many people don’t understand simple concepts such as the impact of speed or stopping distances…or choose to ignore the consequences.

[–] Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca -5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

No. I said its a great technology for those without skill. Make a test, those who can't pass have to buy it.

[–] Cherry@piefed.social 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I agree with you. And in the components car.

I am just saying those who are ignorant to driving or safety will always be the weakest link. And of course we have to consider competency.

[–] RandomStranger@piefed.social 8 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Skill is such a dumb take on ABS. You cannot adapt to every single situation by "driving according to the conditions". An animal could jump in front of you in the dark. Unless you are literally driving at walking pace there is no chance ABS wouldn't help you in such a situation if it is icy. Just because you have been lucky through life doesn't take away the fact that there are some situations where safety systems will be better. ABS and ESP are significant safety improvements that come with little associated cost.

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 3 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

It's not THAT little associated cost. New ESP module for any 00s German car costs as much as the car itself at this point lol, around 2k.

That said, manufacturers get them for less than that.

[–] Successful_Try543@feddit.org 5 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (1 children)

ESP is also ~~a~~ way more complex system than the simple ABS.

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 4 points 4 weeks ago

It's also mandatory on new cars since 2011-2014 in Canada, US and EU so essentially that's the system we're talking about though? It's also standard on basically anything made in Germany since the late 90s though obviously there have been improvements and the older ones aren't AS great as the newer versions.

ABS is also an important part of it. ABS itself doesn't mandate ESP, that's true. But the laws do.

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 5 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

So it's been proven than ABS can brake much more effectively than threshold braking, which is what most people think of when they say they can brake very well in slippery conditions without ABS.

I've driven plenty without ABS too and not a single time have I been at fault for an accident. But modern ESP systems are essentially black magic for safety because all 4 wheels get braked separately depending on conditions. You'd need to have 4 brake pedals to be able to do what modern cars can do for braking.

Besides, there's nobody stopping you from buying a car without ABS for cheaper. I did for my first car. It was manufactured before I was born, had no fancy electronics and was fairly reliable despite the legendarily bad Jetronic injection system. Cost me around 500 euros and it was a beast of an Audi with an inline 5 engine. Excellent engine sound (but stock exhaust so I didn't wake everyone up at night).

[–] Silic0n_Alph4@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago

I think Douglas Adams can explain those downvotes…

[–] rayyy@piefed.social 6 points 4 weeks ago

Who thinks a FM radio is more important than ABS?

[–] Akasazh@feddit.nl 3 points 4 weeks ago

I agree on almost everything but the abs bit. Like seatbelts and airbags they should not be necessary, could everyone be trusted to drive perfectly.

But you see, other people that are not, like yourself, perfect drivers do drive in those cars. Hell, they might even drive your car if you're in a temporary state of not-perfect-driveryness.

It's comparable to mouth masks is not about keeping the perfect safe, but to protect the imperfectly healthy (and thereby everybody).

[–] Kjell@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Why wouldn't the Chinese companies start to produce these E cars? And if the Chinese produces the E car and sell it in Europe, how will it help the local manufacturing? And I'm not sure the estimated 10 - 20 % lower cost will be enough since the car will be very limited.

[–] SrMono@feddit.org 5 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (1 children)

The already have 😂

I have seen (youtube) an electric car the size of an Toyota IQ. Price tag 4.000-7.000€ except for the European market 12.000-15.000€ (because of the regultions, I guess).

Video in German: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGz1ofi70_I

https://wulingcars.com/wuling-mini-ev/

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 8 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

China subsidises EV manufacturers directly so EU uses tariffs to bring things to a level playing field. Many EU countries have subsidies for EV buyers which is better because that allows you to buy European, Chinese, Japapnese... Whatever you want, all with the same discount.

[–] SrMono@feddit.org 4 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

No secrets there. If the weight of the Chinese government backs your production you can go as cheap as you need it to sting your competitors.

The next schema is, that Chinese companies produce in the EU. There are some contracts and joint ventures on the way, but all in all the EV market race can simply no be leveled even, no matter the wild and holistic regulatory activism.

[–] Pistcow@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Made in china!?

[–] Cherry@piefed.social 5 points 1 month ago

Has to be made somewhere. Europe could do it but greed and CEO ego ain’t gonna let that happen.