Europe considers ban on performance cars

Posted Tue Jun 26 2007 7:37 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

European politicians will be debating whether or not to ban high-powered sports cars from Europe as part of a goal to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. Members of the EU will meet in Brussels on Tuesday to decide the fate of performance cars in the region, however, Germany won’t be affected by any decision.

Of major concern are some of the quotes coming from politicians, such as these gems from the man who drafted the report on how to reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions, British Liberal Democrat Chris Davies. Selling “boys’ toys” that exceed the 130km/h speed limit was “nonsense” and “it's political and environmental lunacy. People cannot drive at these speeds legally. It is just boys’ toys.”

Under the proposals, Davies, wants to ban any car that travel 25% above the usual EU speed limit of 130km/h by 2013, with the exception of emergency vehicles.

Thankfully, a large contingent of the voters are German - 99 out of 785 in total according to the Financial Times - and the consensus there is that the proposal is ridiculous and would cut emissions by one percent at the most.

Reader Comments

Tue Jun 26 2007 7:43 AM
HECTOR says

Al Gore-itis is contagious! Seek remedy immediately! Get a clue!
Tue Jun 26 2007 8:17 AM
kafkef says

hell no!!! if this goes through i'll move to africa.

though i think ferrari, porsche, lambo etc. will do anything they can to stop this.. or they won't survive.
Tue Jun 26 2007 8:28 AM
Gunnar Heinrich says

This politically manufactured global warming "crisis" is becoming a crisis where it affects the lives and livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Of course this radical British socialist has every right to suggest that people should live greener lives. That's his view and he can share it.

He does not have the right to cuff people into his way of thinking through legislation. That's tyranny, friends.

I hope that the proposition is roundly dismissed. May sensibility prevail.
Tue Jun 26 2007 10:17 AM
Gus says

Ok, limit my Lamborghini Murcielago to 25% above the highest speed limit, and change the gearing slightly so I can reach that limit in less than 2 seconds... :)
Tue Jun 26 2007 10:42 AM
biturbo says

Ridiculous! Some politicians should be taken to asylum.
How about removing all personal cars and riding buses only ??
Why not walking instead, it is healtier??
Crazy indeed...
Tue Jun 26 2007 6:11 PM
Marcus says

I once owned a old 90 honda civic, that under those conditions would be banned.
Wed Jun 27 2007 3:20 AM
Gavin says

What would be more alarming is that this would effectively kill every sports car manufacture in Europe. Just think of the the 1000's of people put out of work.
Wed Jun 27 2007 3:39 AM
admin says

It's an idiotic notion and I doubt it will gain much traction. Many drivers take their cars to tracks and they are still perfectly road legal. There's no reason for this policy to change.

MotorAuthority