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Originally posted by Lord Nikon
My response would be this....
1) How would it be fitted? Splicing into an existing wiring harness could theoretically cause a fire risk, and would invalidate the warranty on some cars as well as void things like mobility agreements.
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If the device were fitted when a car was new, the warranty would surely cover it. If the device is fitted to an older car (during the MOT) then surely the warranty would have expired anyway?
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2) if the link to it was fused, then what is stopping the fuse being removed
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Don't know. If a car uses an engine management system, the chip could be integrated in that.
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3) if the link is NOT fused, then I assume the Govt will foot the bill for cars burned out due to electrical problems
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Probably not...
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4) if the unit is fitted then I assume the govt will be footing the bill for increased fuel usage? (current drain on the alternator increases drag on the engine and lowers fuel efficiency)
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Again probably not. Actually, I wouldn't have thought the current drain would be any more than say switching the radio on, or plugging a mobile phone in.
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5) Who do they expect to foot the bill?
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Probably us.
Actually, I don't see the point of this chip. They say it could be used to track terrorists and criminals. Theoritcally, it could. This is assuming that a) The criminal/terrorist is using their own car (unlikely) or b) The police know what car they are using (possible).
It could, however, make Congestion Charging easier/cheaper to implement, and make tax dogers easier to find.
Other than that, it does not seem to achieve anything our current systems cannot.