Some experts think electric vehicles (EVs) are just one step on the way to hydrogen vehicles. While EVs take a long time to refuel and battery production is energy intensive, hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources and vehicles refuelled rapidly. If the intention is to move away from petrol and diesel, then different types of EV may even co-exist. Read More
Only during the GFC in March 2009, were new car sales lower than in March 2020. Now April 2020 figures are only half what they were in April 2019. The car industry is under pressure, but how does this affect electric vehicles (EVs)? Is this segment bucking the trend or will EVs continue to take a back seat? Read More
The Toyota Prius first arrived in Australia 19 years ago but it has taken a while for regular hybrids to become popular. Some argue it is better to move to fully electric vehicles rather than holding on to petrol engines. But the auto industry seems to have a different view – focus on hybrids because that’s what customers want. Read More
Sales of electric vehicles have tripled in Australia to over 6,700 in the year to December 2019. It’s still a tiny percentage of all car sales. Observers say price, driving distances and charging continue to hinder sales. Another possibility is lack of social acceptance. Non-EV buyers could be too concerned about their status to buy something different from their neighbours. Early buyers of EVs may just be virtue signalling. Read More
Next time you see a cyclist climbing a steep hill without panting, look at their bike. They might be riding an e-bike, which has a battery to take some of the sweat out of cycling. These bikes may help make cycling more mainstream. According to some, e-bikes could even be better than electric cars for reducing emissions and congestion. Read More
In 2018-19, Australian motorists paid fuel excise tax of $19.68 billion or 40.9 cents a litre. The more fuel we buy, the more tax we pay. This means gradual uptake of electric vehicles, which don’t use fuel, will shrink fuel excise. Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA) has called for a road user charge now – on EV owners. Read More
While Australians are still getting to grips with electric vehicles (EVs), the next big fuel may be hydrogen. Hydrogen is used in fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs), which convert the gas to electricity. EVs charge directly with electricity. This is only one important difference between the two, but which fuel will win out? Read More
Last week’s blog discussed electric vehicles and this week we talk about hydrogen. Fuel cell vehicles powered with hydrogen are still in the early stages, but hydrogen has many advantages over purely electric. Fuel cell vehicles could be ideal for buses, trucks or delivery vans, rather than private vehicles. Read More
Australians want but don’t buy electric vehicles (EVs). Surveys say they want them, but VFACTS statistics show they buy very few. Our governments, compared to others in the world, have done very little to encourage EVs. With all the mixed messages, it’s no wonder Australia is dawdling behind the rest. Read More
Usually we notice the sound our car makes only when it’s the wrong kind. But car sounds are becoming more important for electric vehicles because we simply don’t hear them. This means manufacturers are spending millions to create just the right sound to fit their brand. Read More