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Anyone on social media these days is probably just surprised by the sensitivity of the Germans, which is almost embarrassing.
Energy prices explode, bankruptcies rise, companies stop producing because energy prices continue to rise and there is no point in producing below cost. Traditional companies such as toilet paper manufacturer Hakle are also in a tilted position.
German politicians
German politicians talk head to head on TV and document that in reality they are completely clueless and the “Bullerby faction” of ideologically charged journalists and economists even defend political sayings, even if they are saying utter nonsense.
Economic nuclear power plants are shut down, coal power plants are activated, and the results of the “energy stress test” are simply ignored or ideologically interpreted. CO2 emissions? They appear only marginally in the German media landscape.
power problem? What electrical problem?
Energy professionals across Germany are shaking their heads and calling for more solidarity. Norway and Sweden are already considering whether they should help with electricity deliveries in the winter, when the Germans are apparently trampling the European energy grid, for example by shutting down the latest nuclear plants or wanting to put them on expensive stand-by. It’s on, forgive me for the drastic words, the brainlessness can no longer be overcome. Nuclear power plants are kept in “reserve”, maintenance costs are paid, but they are not allowed to generate electricity during prolonged operation in order to earn money and help stabilize the grid. German “energy solidarity”, in other words.
(https://twitter.com/antonmsteen/status/1567523327752736768)
It is always the fault of others
And the French are fighting with their nuclear power plants. This is where the German energy path is most bizarre. On the one hand there is malice towards nuclear reactors that have been closed for maintenance or drought, on the other hand there are fears whether France will be able to help the Germans with nuclear energy in the winter when, with the probability at the limit of certainty, things will get difficult.
And with all this bad news and strange German events, the Federal Motor Transport Authority announces new records in car sales and electromobility.
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Swiss researchers are developing eye tests for self-driving cars
At the moment, there is still a long way to go before self-driving cars can drive on the road. At some point, however, these vehicles should be part of everyday street life.
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It’s good that electric cars don’t run on gas!
Electric vehicle registrations in August increased a staggering 10.9% to 32,006 units from the same month last year. This is really surprising, given that the energy crisis and inflation mean that money is no longer that easy, and the Germans prefer to get their bearings from the discount store rather than the bakery, which is therefore plunging into insolvency.
The market share of the Stromer was 16.1% of sales in August and is the trend still increasing? It would really be a crystal ball reading.
What explains the discrepancy between the economic downturn, social insecurities and registration records? Because the total number of registered cars increased by +3 percent compared to the previous year. Petrol SUVs continue to be the all-time hit with 24.8 percent (!) Growth, even though a liter of diesel now costs more than the more expensive premium petrol.
It seems the Germans have so much to catch up with when it comes to cars that they really want to invest again just before the “catastrophe”.
It’s all cheese, of course.
Due to the raw materials, supply and chip crisis, many vehicles have not (yet) been delivered. Most of them were ordered at a time when everything was fine in the world, even in Europe. The withdrawal from purchase contracts is certainly not a problem for OEMs, because the waiting lists are long and in any case there are no more percentages. The buyer’s market has become the seller’s market.
The rise of electric vehicles also has something to do directly with refueling, which has improved homeopathically. And last but not least, the grant plans for 2023 and 2024 ensure that the boom in electric vehicles continues this year, but only for those who bring with them the necessary changes.
Winter will show how smart it is. Because if blackouts were to actually occur in German society, electromobility could also prove to be less resilient.
That is to say, when there is simply no electricity from the outlet.
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