Editor's note

A German proposal to ban all petrol and diesel cars by 2030 sounds like great news for the environment. Energy expert Dénes Csala is more sceptical. His research shows that millions of new electric cars will ultimately have to be powered by coal or gas – which could cause more harm than good. The Lada Niva, meanwhile, never pretended to be particularly eco-friendly. Yet this Soviet relic may be the best 4x4 ever, says long-time fan Chris Ebbert.

The East India Company in the BBC's latest period drama, Taboo, is a malevolent force. It certainly makes for riveting television. But of course, history wasn't quite like that. Although some historical inaccuracies are fair game, argues Andrea Major, pantomime villains obscure the true horrors of colonial exploitation.

The European parliament has voted to begin drafting a set of regulations to govern the development and use of artificial intelligence and robotics, considering also the idea of “electronic personhood”. Christopher Markou considers the implications of a world with machines that possess all the attributes of humans.

Will de Freitas

Environment + Energy Editor

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Bjoern Wylezich / shutterstock

Germany's plan for 100% electric cars may actually increase carbon emissions

Dénes Csala, Lancaster University

The country's ambitious plans for sustainable transport and renewable energy must work in sync.

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