Robg, this link is one of several that will take you to a site which tells the story (albeit briefly) of Jim Arian and his Aussi built EV.
http://www.slf.org.au/festival/program/exhibitors/arianaEV

Yes Robg, it's true that most power is generated by dirty coal fired power stations and increasing use of EV's could only result in more coal being burnt, however, if we believe the Government in relation to CO2 sequestration (hope I've got that right), isn't it better to have some sort of control over CO2 emmissions than having fossil fuel emissions belching from tail pipes? Just a thought.

Forrest, you threw up some very good points, especially in relation to excise on fossil fuels. Looks as though Government isn't ready to let go of our ever increasing dependance on fossil fuel from hostile countries just yet.

Is Mise, yes, off peak rates would probably dissappear, but perhaps dearer energy prices may be what is needed to entice people to move to solar and/or wind power and whilst I realise it won't charge a massive bank of lead acid batteries in an EV overnight, with better battery technology it may be possible, but it would help reduce our dependance on fossil fuels and create employment. You have to remember, why do we want to reduce our dependance on fossil fuels? Why do we need to reduce CO2 levels? Isn't it all about saving the planet so our future generations can enjoy what we take for granted now? If energy prices were more expensive, maybe people would turn off that AC unless absolutely necessary, perhaps they'd turn off their TV and HEU at the wall instead of being so lazy.

Good posts people, but I think Forrest has nailed it. No Government wants us to be in any way dependant of fossil fuels and the taxes that come with them. Look what they did to bio-fuels in England.
Wildcat.

Almost forgot to mention. There's a petition site called "Make Electric Cars Available for Australia." It has just 65 signatures at present, mine being one of them. It can be found at.........

http://www.gopetition.com.au/sign.php?petid=10891&section=thanks

I must state too that I have no agenda with EV's. I just think it's a shame that the World is so close to producing a practical EV for daily commuting and yet we're not allow to buy or produce them in this country. I still maintain it's more to do with the Coalition Government simply because testing and compliance of new vehicles and especially EV's is a Federal issue, not State which is where the Reva fell foul of Sen. Ian Campbell when the importing company tried to get it safety tested as this drive.com.au article points out.....

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=21284&vf=1

I have written to Peter Garrett about this matter and am waiting for a reply. I'll keep you posted (no pun intended). Wildcat.

I would like to know where you got your information regarding the alleged remarks that Howard made over his refusal to consider manufacturing the electric car 'because it would create unemplyment' in the motor industry. Logic suggests that it would create employment rather than destroy it. For your information I copy part of what "The Age" had to say about this, which indicates it was not a Federal matter at all.

"In Australia, nobody is interested, but I have a customer in Monaco who wants me to manufacture 100 cars, which I will manufacture there," he said.

"This kind of project needs to have support from the government. I chose Australia because it has very good access to components and technology, but it is not suitable for manufacturing."

Mr Arian said he came to Australia with the help of the Victorian Department of Innovation but further assistance had not materialised.

But a spokeswoman for Innovation Minister John Brumby said the Government was not aware of any requests for support. "As far as the Government is aware, this particular company has never sought formal assistance from the Government," she said. "But Victoria has a burgeoning innovation industry which the Government is continually investing in."

Another obstacle is that Mr Arian had not yet been able to register his latest vehicle. VicRoads said he had yet to complete the safety inspections and registration procedures.

Snake, those may not have been the PM's exact words, but near enough to it. I saw a television interview as I walked through the lounge room, heard the mention of electric cars, saw that an interviewer had bailed up the PM and stopped to listen. I've been searching for a link to that story ever since and have so far been unable to find it. I did hesitate in using it in my post because it is (unfortunately at this time) unsubtantiated, but I'll continue to look.
Also, if you took the time to read my original post, I did state that I didn't have the full picture and hoped that others might help fill in the gaps. Your version is a welcome addition, despite the rather in your face "For your information....." and I'll now seek out the Age's article. Would you have a link please Snake?
Wildcat.

Aime said "No Government wants us to be in any way dependant of fossil fuels and the taxes that come with them. Look what they did to bio-fuels in England."

It's just a motoring tax. Taxing fuel is a convenient way of taxing motoring. If it became impractical to tax motoring that way, then a different way would be adopted, so the Government has no financial reason to be opposed to the replacement of fossil fuels.

Sylvia.

Have a read of this, just might be interesting and on topic.

http://www.internalcombustionbook.com/index.php