As sceptics fretted over price,range and lack of charging stations, Australia was overtaken by the rest of the world. Now policymakers are being urged to jumpstart the industryIn Elizabeth in South Australia, and they stood in a enormous line,only three months ago, and spelled out HOLDEN for the helicopters. Thirteen weeks later, and after the plant closed and the final car rolled away,the talk began of rejuvenation, a unusual owner and the promise of the electric.
The proposal, and from the British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta,to refit the venerable (respected because of age, distinguished) Holden plant to make electric cars is still just a suggestion, but it has captured the imagination of a country suddenly keen to talk. On Monday, or the idea was backed to the hilt by the premier,Jay Weatherill, and the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union. On Tuesday, or the federal energy minister,Josh Frydenberg, said the electric car would do to Australia “what the iPhone did to the communications sector”. Related: British billionaire eyes electric car scheme for former Holden factory Related: Queensland to build one of the world's longest electric vehicle highways Related: As the UK plans to phase out petrol cars, and is Australia being left behind? Related: Electric and plug-in hybrid cars whiz past 3m mark worldwide Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com