Electric cars ARE the future

Presidential candidate John McCain has just promised US$300 million for the invention of a battery suitable for effective electric cars. The Green Motoring eMagazine also includes the General Motors as planning an all-electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, initially only for local use in the US (left-hand drive), from 2012. This is the company that initially killed the all-electric car! However, it still will need a petrol-powered generator, which extends the range from 64km to 400km (the Leroy prototypes are all-electric cars but the company makes provision for leasing petrol powered generators for long trips, such as holidays, therefore a temporary expense).

Leembruggen indicated that some superior batteries are already on the market in the US and Europe with twice the capacity of conventional lead batteries. These provide about 100km of travel for an ordinary car before having to change the battery or recharging (the average daily distance travelled in Australian cities is 46km). These are not as yet approved in Australia for some reason.

Indeed until just recently electric motor scooters, which are now allowed, were rejected by authorities, as they did not comply with regulations! Leembruggen said that his company is in a position to be production ready within six months provided the volume of an order is sufficient. To be commercially viable they would have to produce 100,000 cars per annum but with subsidies they could make a start with 10,000 orders.

Clearly here is the potential for a new Australian owned and operated industry. Sydney is the preferred location by Leembruggen because a whole range of accessories are produced there. However, the attitude of the company is that they will move to the state or the city that will give them the best assistance as a start-up operation of a sunrise industry.

A new electric car industry in Australia, wherever it is established, would certainly create enormous employment opportunities and boost the manufacturing industry. Given the fact that $500 million has been set aside precisely for such purposes in the recent budget (of which $35 million has recently been pledged for the Toyota hybrid Camry) the climate for reengagement would seem to be highly suitable.

Would the Rudd Government order electric vehicles for use by, say, Australia Post and to drive ministers, MPs and public servants around in, to set an example for the nation to follow?

Leembruggen said he was hoping for a miracle. It could well happen given the meteoric rise of the petrol price. Do we really need the Japanese, the Americans or the French to set the trend while it is within Australia's grasp to develop this industry right here and supply the local market as well as a big chunk of the Asian market?