Who did kill the electric car? Or is it simply a case that its development was wounded by General Motors in the 1990s?
While General Motors was held accountable for the demise of the electric-powered vehicle almost two decades ago, a flurry of new-release battery-powered and hybrid vehicles on to the world market in recent times suggests the concept of fuel-free motoring was only set back when GM scrapped the EV1 development.
There is no shortage of inventive names for the fully electric and hybrid cars to match the scientific and engineering feats taken to create them.
The Nissan LEAF and Mitsubishi i-MiEV - the only two fully electric vehicles available on the Australian market - are joined by close cousins, hybrids, which include the Chevrolet Volt (which Holden will have in its stable next year) and the well-known Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrid.
The electric cars of today are much more stylish and appealing than the goofy spaceship-like EV1. But history, and the relatively slow take-up of electric and hybrid vehicles in Australia, shows that there remain speed bumps too large for appealing bodywork, in-vogue green credentials and fancy names to overcome with ease.
Price is the biggest factor for individual buyers, with electric vehicles for the general public still considerably greater in cost than the equivalent petrol-powered models.
There also is a slow introduction of “refuelling stations” - powering hubs - and limitations to the driving range of these vehicles, their compact size and their capabilities that have stalled this market’s growth.
But car companies worldwide believe in the electric dream.
Dozens of concept electric and hybrid vehicles have been exhibited at motor shows around the world over the years.
And car companies in Australia have made moves to show authorities that, despite our long-range driving requirements in this vast country, electric-powered vehicles do have a home here.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood has access to a Mitsubishi i-MiEV supplied by the car maker, as do other organisations in Adelaide.
A charging point is located at Mitsubishi’s Tonsley offices.
Nissan Australia last week presented the car keys for 16 of its new zero-emission LEAF hatchbacks to the Victorian Government to kick off the company’s participation in the state’s five-year EV Trial.
The cars, which were built at Nissan’s plant in Oppama, Japan, join the Government’s real-time evaluation of electric vehicles and their application in Victorian cities.
Mitsubishi already has provided a fleet of its i-MiEV electric cars to the EV program.
Its groundbreaking all-electric vehicle will take pride of place on the Mitsubishi Motors stand at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show, ahead of its public sale debut in August.
While the vehicles on the test program and on display at the show will be the current model, Mitsubishi Australia has just announced that the new 2012 model, which features a host of safety and comfort specification upgrades, will arrive in Australia in a matter of weeks.
Mitsubishi claims it will be the first all-electric vehicle available on the Australian market for both private and corporate owners to purchase outright - at a retail price of $48,800, a 23 per cent reduction in price on the previous model.
The price of being seen to be green is coming down as manufacturers clamber to be the first to offer all-electric vehicles to the general motoring public.
The Renault Fluence Z.E. will be the first family-sized all-electric-powered sedan to enter the Australian market when it arrives here later this year, says Justin Hocevar, managing director of Renault Australia.
“We see the Fluence Z.E. as being the first vehicle which ticks all the boxes for a wide variety of car users,” he says.
“Our aim is to take away as many of the remaining excuses as to why you can’t switch to renewable energy zero emissions for your mobility needs.”
Bringing further hope that the electric dream will finally come of age on our shores is partnerships like that struck between Nissan and ChargePoint.
The Japanese manufacturer’s business partner has installed a series of level two Electric Vehicle charging stations at Nissan’s Victorian headquarters ahead of the LEAF’s arrival in numbers in Australia next year.
The two CT2000 stations and the CT500 fleet station have full communication capabilities, in that they can “talk” to the car under charge, take in diagnostic information and help scientists and manufacturers better understand the requirements of these vehicles.
Nissan Australia CEO Dan Thompson says the CT2000 stations are available for use by Nissan staff and LEAF visitors.
“It will simply be a case of swiping your ChargePass card and plugging in your Nissan LEAF,” he says.
ChargePoint says the three recharging stations at Nissan are the first level two charge points to be installed in Australasia, but others will follow as business and consumers embrace electric transportation.
ChargePoint already has more than 30 other public and private charging stations in Australia and New Zealand.
