Electric cars for ACT Government

Who the hell would want to drive an electric car? Did we lose a war?

The trouble with hybrids is, they mean owners think it’s OK to drive as much as they did – sans guilt – when they should be catching the bus.

Prius? Economically effective? Ha!

If economics are an issue, buy a fleet comprised of the Hyundai Getz (4 door $14,990 drive away), and keep them for the full 5 year warranty period. The flog ’em off for a few thousand bucks when the warranty is finished.

Buying hybrids and diesels is nice and touchy feely and all, but it’s not an economic choice. With diesels, servicing costs are typically higher than petrols, especially for European models. If the govt wants to drive hybrids or diesels to make a statement, or support the manufacturers then that’s a separate matter.

Developing electric cars is a good thing, though, and I think the govt should support it.

Considering that the government wants us to embrace public transport, don’t give them a car at all.

Grail said :

If the Better Place project takes off, I’d love to see the MLAs all driving Tesla Model S sedans ($US46,500 or so, four door sedans).

Much nicer than the Prius, and soon there will be other options – so I hope it all works out!

If the Better Place project takes off, I’d love to see the MLAs all driving Tesla Model S sedans ($US46,500 or so, four door sedans).

@p1

The image you created has caused me to spit my coffee all over my keyboard…love the idea

I talked to an ACT Gov fleet director at a function last year. The Priuses they had were a bit of a disaster and as far as purchase and maintenance costs went. They cost nearly double what a Mitsubishi Colt did, with about the same fuel/emissions.

Not that I want to poo-poo electrics, this particular initiative look slike it has some potential.

The ACT government should just buy a fleet of electric golf buggies, and require all ministers to where clown costumes when driving them. This would improve the public perception of the Gov’t considerably.

The ACT government has already bought some Prius’s for the fleet, pretty sure it was covered here.

Whether a hybrid or a high-efficiency diesel uses more fuel depends on the environment – with a lot of stop-start driving the hybrid’s regenerative braking gives it the advantage, whereas with more highway-style driving the diesels win out.