FCAI says electric isn't the only solution
The FCAI backs electric vehicle incentives, but says more efficient petrol engines and better-quality fuel must also be looked at to reduce emissionsThe Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has backed Queensland’s $55 million electric vehicle incentives package, but says that electric vehicles alone won’t reduce emissions.
Queensland’s government recently announced the incentives package, which provides grants of $3000 for electric vehicles under $58,000, and also includes a further $10 million for charging infrastructure and a continued introduction of zero-emission vehicles into the government’s fleet.
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But despite the FCAI welcoming the incentives program, Chief Executive Tony Weber is “perplexed” by Australia’s target of 100 per cent zero emission vehicle sales by 2036.
“The primary policy objective is to reduce CO2 emissions and our pathway to this objective in the transport sector needs to be a holistic one,” said Weber. “Electric vehicles alone will not achieve this in Australia.”
Instead, Weber and the FCAI believe a combination of different solutions will be required to help reduce emissions and make transport more environmentally-friendly.
“The pathway to reducing emissions through to the mid-2030s will rely on a range of low-emission technologies that include plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and even highly-efficient internal combustion engines, in addition to pure EVs.
“Improvements in fuel quality and the introduction of a broad-based and nationally-consistent Road User Charge scheme, as well as a vehicle emissions target, are all needed to bring the best low- and zero-emissions technology to Australia,” Weber continued.
Australia has been slow to embrace electric vehicle technology, however the tide is quickly changing as more and more Aussies begin to express interest in electric. As of March 13, electric vehicles accounted for nearly 20 per cent of searches on carsales.com.au.
The motorcycle industry has been even slower to catch on, with Harley-Davidson the only current major manufacturer with a fully-fledged electric road-legal motorcycle on the market.
Electric vehicle critics name lack of charging infrastructure, long charging times, and high prices as the main barriers to an electric future. Many critics also cite the nostalgia for the sound and feel of petrol-powered cars and bikes as a deciding factor for many motorcyclists and motorists.
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