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Comment by raxxorraxor | Hacker News Reader

> Not sure about other regions, but in the EU, low tech cars are not allowed.

Which is a rather recent development and certainly a protectionist move and will hinder adaptation massively.

You need the full suite for lane controls, attention monitoring, emergency brake systems, etc...

It is simply impossible to now release low tech cars and it is a political decision by the EU that is highly questionable.

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Are those safety systems really that expensive? They're all stock options on the lowest trim level of a $9500 Kei car.

Yeah, so called "Vision Zero": "The EU’s long-term goal is to move as close as possible to zero fatalities in road transport by 2050"

https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/publications/eu-road-safety-towar...

It's a good start, but a grander vision would be to reduce or eliminate the need for cars altogether. You can build and sustain a mighty civilization without automobiles at all.

Per Poi Dog Pondering:

Well the ancient Egyptians and the other Africans

The Mayans, the Incas, and all the Polynesians

All around the world, a long long time ago

People would walk wherever they had to go

Europe has generally done a very good job with urban transit. The real problem is that long-distance train trips cost a fortune, typically several times more than a budget airline. And ticketing systems between countries (within the EU) are poorly integrated.

Despite many years of hand-wringing about environmental impacts of air travel, almost nothing has been done to address this.

Agreed. Electric cars are frankly a pretty poor solution to the issue of carbon emissions. A far better, more long term solution already exists - high density, walkable neighbourhoods and high frequency, well run public transport systems.

Here in the UK, almost 17% (about nine million people) live outside towns and villages. A trip to the local shop can be several miles on roads that don't have pavements and public transport is of the "one bus a day" type if you are lucky. There are a few people who cycle but they're dedicated and for most it is not an option. Cars are an essential.

As I understand it, that’s not _strictly_ true. 17% live in “rural” areas, but this includes towns and villages in rural areas. It’s 8% for “rural village and fringe” [0], or much less for actually outside of towns and villages. Unless you have other stats to share?

[0] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/661d3b95ac3da...

I have lived in several towns and cities in the UK.

The problem is that even in reasonable sized towns not having a car is very limiting. The solution is much better public transport - more frequent is the big thing. That is the difference

On the other hand I did not have a car in London (which has very frequent public transport until quite late in the night), nor in Manchester (not as good, but OK) until I had a child. It was no problem. paying for the occasional taxi and hiring cars for trips when needed was a lot cheaper than running a car and more convenient too.

There is no way to provide a public transport service from the village 9 miles away with 4,000 people to my village of 150 at 2145 on a Friday night. It would have to literally be a taxi going out and back to transport one person.

E-bikes to the rescue!

If you’re fine with having the same QoL as the people living in those societies then sure… why would anyone want to though?

> People would walk wherever they had to go

Or had their slaves carry them in a litter

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