Paris' Nanny Bloomberg
Via Jay J. Hector, Aurelien Breeden writes in the The New York Times:
BY proposing to reduce air pollution by banning vehicles made before 1997, Mayor Bertrand Delanoë has angered vintage car owners and motorist groups and raised concerns among those who say they cannot afford new cars.Mr. Delanoë's proposal is part of a wider push by local authorities to comply with European regulations and establish a low-emission zone around metropolitan Paris, including many suburbs, by 2014. The plan would extend the mayor's efforts to make the city more pedestrian-friendly by reducing the number of cars. These efforts include introducing the Vélib' bicycle rental program, establishing the Autolib' electric-car rental system and cutting vehicle traffic along the banks of the Seine.
Mr. Delanoë has been mayor since 2001, but will not run again in 2014. "In Paris, where polluting industries have nearly disappeared, cars are the main source of pollution today," he said in a statement presenting the antipollution plan to city councilors.
But the ban would include many of the most recognizably French cars, including the Citroën 2CV, known as the Deux Chevaux; the Citroën DS, celebrated for its clean, distinctive design; the Renault 4L, a practical Everyman's car of the 1960s and '70s; and many classic Peugeots.
The mayor's critics say he is doing everything he can, in his last years in office, to discourage driving. Among the disgruntled are collectors, who fear they won't be able to take their vintage cars for a spin.
"In Paris, where polluting industries have nearly disappeared,..."
Take the hint, Henri.
And those named are some of the sorriest cars ever. Better you should have condition standards. It's not like gas is cheap in Paris, and it's not like women will be able to drive there at all soon.
Radwaste at December 4, 2012 2:33 AM
"In Paris, where polluting industries have nearly disappeared,..."
Maybe there would be less unemployment, especially among immigrants, if there were more of those industries.
But the Green God(dess) demands human sacrifices.
david foster at December 4, 2012 5:01 AM
Removing older cars from the roads is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of reducing air pollution. Several decades ago, the large Atlantic Richfield refinery in Los Angeles was faced with the prospect of very retrofitting very expensive scrubbers to their smokestacks. I don't rememer the exact figure, but it was something like $100 million. They were able to get the same net reduction in pollutants by buying a few thousand old cars and sending them to the crusher.
Factual Interjection at December 4, 2012 8:54 AM
I kind of like the Japanese approach of banning old engines instead of old cars. It wouldn't be such a bad thing for the world if someone came along and made me buy a new engine for my vintage vespa. The thing puts out more crap in a one hour ride on the weekend than my commute car does all year. It's ridiculous.
smurfy at December 4, 2012 10:15 AM
Hey, here's an idea. Rather than banning my old car, how about the government get off the backs of business so that the economy gets rolling, they hire more folks (like me!), and then I can afford to buy a new car rather than continue to drive my 18-year old car. (which BTW is NOT a clunker and runs okay considering its age)
But, the reality of it is that some folks would much rather tell the rest of us what to do rather than give us opportunity.
Charles at December 4, 2012 11:34 AM
You know, it's a lot easier to control people when they're not allowed their own transportation.
***
"Removing older cars from the roads is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of reducing air pollution.".... Right. Except for the people who have to go out and buy a new car.
"They were able to get the same net reduction in pollutants by buying a few thousand old cars and sending them to the crusher."... How many of those cars were actually running?
ahw at December 4, 2012 1:50 PM
"Cash for Clunkers" cost the American taxpayer big.
That what you want to do?
Radwaste at December 4, 2012 5:07 PM
You can just hear how impressed this guy is with himself: "Removing older cars from the roads is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of reducing air pollution." Obviously an Obama voter. Did you seriously say "cheapest way"? Only cheap if you buy me a new car.
Paul at December 8, 2012 11:31 PM
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