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The Forum > Article Comments > The electric car revolution will soon take to the streets > Comments

The electric car revolution will soon take to the streets : Comments

By Jim Motavalli, published 28/1/2010

Major car companies and well-funded startups are now producing electric vehicles that will soon be in showrooms.

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Great news to see movement at last in the US market. But when can we expect Australian leadership in promoting all electric cars?

Has a strategy been devised yet for fast-track regulatory approval for new electric cars to operate on Australian roads? Have our local car manufacturers shown any interest in green cars beyond hybrids?

Fleet managers, especially in the government sector should be given good reasons to plan for the deployment of electric vehicles to establish the market here.

Can Australian governments give all-electric car technology the boost it needs to get established with suitable tax incentives, planning approvals for regional charge stations and allocating parking spaces exclusively for electric cars?

When will the electric car revolution come to our streets?
Posted by Quick response, Thursday, 28 January 2010 4:30:01 PM
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How are the hoons going to make noise when all cars are electric,unfortunately,I'm sure they'll manage somehow.What a marvellous new(and quiet) age is dawning.
Posted by mac, Thursday, 28 January 2010 6:44:36 PM
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If government funding it necessary to make it economical, isn't that just another way of saying that it's not economical, because if people were free to choose, they wouldn't choose it because they think the benefits are not worth the price?

How do we know that the environmental detriments in whatever activity where the government funds are taken from, are not greater than the environmental benefits where they are spent?
Posted by Peter Hume, Friday, 29 January 2010 8:15:28 AM
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Ah, coal-fired cars.
Posted by KenH, Friday, 29 January 2010 9:53:21 AM
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Peter,
Government funding is necessary to set up the *capability* of a profitable industry. Establishing new national industry is rarely done by private speculators as they have no appetite for real world risk. (and would get stung by corrupt governments if they did!)
Unlike our current government sponsorship of inherently un-profitable industries such as private schools, health insurance and traditional cars, which is ongoing and *far* more costly.
Modern Asian computer chip factories used government start-up funds, as did the car industry and the oil and Gas exploration industry.
Government has to do it because capitalists would rather play with monopoly money on the trading floors.
Ken, Even with coal power EVs are much more efficient and emit less pollutants. Unlike fossil fuel cars, EVs can also utilise local renewables such as wind, solar, and micro-hydro.
With oil you have to account for the whole life-cycle of the energy: Explore, discover, tap, transport, refine, transport, deliver. Most of these steps have some sort of taxpayer subsidy due to their strategic importance, and most steps have profits skimmed off as well.
Much of the FUD you hear about EV is due to the removal of profitable centralised systems that simultaneously require taxpayer subsidies and pay huge profits. A bit like the banks: taxpayers fund the downside while profits line the pockets of the few. Nice to have things both ways!
Posted by Ozandy, Friday, 29 January 2010 12:42:24 PM
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Mac,

I long for the electric motorcycle.

I hear too many bike enthusiasts who, having finally afforded a Harley, cannot afford a muffler.

Several tens of thousands of dollars and it has no muffler worth a damn.

I have experimented with motors that size. It is possible for them to make less noise than a car. Is it just incompetance at mechanics or are they inconsiderate jerks?

Bring on the silent cycle!

Rusty
Posted by Rusty Catheter, Friday, 29 January 2010 11:01:24 PM
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