Why should you be driving an electric car?
- Low maintenance
An electric motor is essentially one moving part. Can you even
name all the moving parts in a petroleum-burning engine?
- Convenience
Charge at home; the only things you'll ever refill at a petrol
station are tyres.
- Similar running costs
2-3 cents/km for electricity; periodic battery replacement is
more or less covered by the money you didn't spend on petrol.
- Fun!
Why should we drive electric cars?
- Low/Zero Emission
Studies show that EVs have lower emission impacts than petroleum
burning vehicles, even when recharged from coal-generated
electricity. Moreover, electricity can be generated cleanly and
renewably.
- Existing Infrastructure
There are a lot more power points than service stations
(especially hydrogen filling stations). On a serious note,
studies have shown that, by charging overnight during off-peak
hours, EVs could represent significant percentages of the private
vehicle traffic mix without any additional power-plants.
- More efficient
Generally, the energy required to travel 1km in a petroleum car
will move an EV 4kms. In an energy conscious world, is there
really any choice?
- Security of domestic fuel supply
Australia's oil import bill is approximately $18 Billion/yr
(and growing fast!).
From a history of near self-sufficiency, falling production and
rising consumption saw 30% of our oil imported in 2004.
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association
estimates that Australia will be dependent on oil imports for 75%
of anticipated consumption by 2015.
In contrast, Australia has considerable reserves and sources of
primary energy for direct electrical generation including, most
importantly, outstanding opportunities (if not the political
willpower) for the development of renewable energies.
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