<
https://theconversation.com/australia-is-failing-on-electric-vehicles-california-shows-its-possible-to-pick-up-the-pace-189871>
"Among the many similarities between California and Australia, both are
impacted by bushfires and climate change, and both are home to larger cars and
trucks than is the norm in developed countries. They are dissimilar, though,
when it comes to electric vehicles and vehicle regulations. While California
has been pursuing low-carbon and electric vehicles for decades, Australia has
trailed most developed nations.
Plug-in electric vehicles accounted for 16% of new light-duty vehicle sales in
California in the first half of 2022. In Australia, electric vehicle sales are
only 2% of the market, and mostly from one carmaker, Tesla.
Australia, a country with no vehicle fuel economy or CO₂ emissions regulations,
is debating how to move forward. The local auto industry suggests Australia
needs a slow transition to electric vehicles and should lag the United States,
Europe, China and neighbouring New Zealand. Compared to proposed European
vehicle emission standards of 43 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre in 2030,
the local industry proposes 98-143g CO₂/km (for light cars and SUVs).
The proposed Australian target would result in a slow transition, which new
research suggests will have little or no effect on the transport sector’s CO₂
emissions.
The rationale for a slow transition is the same as was heard for decades in
California: electric vehicle prices are too high, there isn’t enough
infrastructure to support these vehicles, their driving ranges are too short,
and certain models aren’t available (electric utes, for example).
These concerns have some validity, but are largely out of date. Australia in
2022 faces a very different situation from California when it started down the
electric vehicle path.
Let’s deal with why each of these four concerns might now be overstated."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
