Free fuel and life in Canberra!
May 23rd 2008 11:58
I digress tonight, Autoloud felt the need to discuss the threat of a $2 litre of petrol, supposedly by xmas. The price of fuel will rise, it has too, after all, this is an international problem.
Despite the best efforts and sleepless nights of the Kevin and Wayne show, the price of fuel will continue to escalate. The opposition Liberal party say they would fix the problem by dropping the fuel excise by five whole cents! Two problems with this theory, One: they are no longer in power, Two: Five cents is really not worth playing with, what about the other 30 odd cents per litre they take in excise! Oh your keeping that!
We, as drivers and motorists need to help ourselves, How? By prodding the motor vehicle manufacturers and the Government into offering us acceptable economical alternatives.
The big three of the Australian motor industry have all made noises about introducing more efficent vehicles, well, get on with it!
Holden showed the world the ECO-Commodore in 2000, last time I checked the calender it was 2008 and still no ECO anything from Holden. Then this week they trumpet about a Hybrid Commodore and also some Diesel variants.
Toyota, who already give us the Prius, will bring the Camry Hybrid to market, this has been out in the USA for two years and has gained wide acceptance. In Japan, Toyota offer a full range of Hybrid vehicles including a Four cylinder Turbo-diesel Hybrid Crown. So imagine driving a Statesman sized car and getting around 50 mpg, where do I sign!
Ford, have mentioned diesel powered Falcons but like the shampoo, it wont happen overnight but......will it happen.
The government could become more pro-active by working with the Motor manufacturers/ importers to ensure a larger supply or choice of Hybrid and diesel engined cars. How do they do this ? The tax regime could be altered to make hybrids cheaper than a comparative petrol powered car, Introduce incentives for business users to use Hybrid vehicles, Also support new technologies in motor vehicle design.
I added the last point for a reason. Several years ago a businessman here in Australia applied to import a number of air powered vans made by a French company called MDI. Thats right, AIR-powered, compressed air, all 4,350psi of it. The government department in charge decided that due to the fact, that the vehicle did not have an engine as such, it was not a motor vehicle and did not comply with Australian design rules or State and territory road rules. The application to import and distribute was denied. These vehicles are distributed in mainland Europe as " neighbourhood vehicles" and can be driven without a license.
Imagine that, Canberra, a city of air powered cars, with free refills every time you drive past Parliament house!
Despite the best efforts and sleepless nights of the Kevin and Wayne show, the price of fuel will continue to escalate. The opposition Liberal party say they would fix the problem by dropping the fuel excise by five whole cents! Two problems with this theory, One: they are no longer in power, Two: Five cents is really not worth playing with, what about the other 30 odd cents per litre they take in excise! Oh your keeping that!
We, as drivers and motorists need to help ourselves, How? By prodding the motor vehicle manufacturers and the Government into offering us acceptable economical alternatives.
The big three of the Australian motor industry have all made noises about introducing more efficent vehicles, well, get on with it!
Holden showed the world the ECO-Commodore in 2000, last time I checked the calender it was 2008 and still no ECO anything from Holden. Then this week they trumpet about a Hybrid Commodore and also some Diesel variants.
Toyota, who already give us the Prius, will bring the Camry Hybrid to market, this has been out in the USA for two years and has gained wide acceptance. In Japan, Toyota offer a full range of Hybrid vehicles including a Four cylinder Turbo-diesel Hybrid Crown. So imagine driving a Statesman sized car and getting around 50 mpg, where do I sign!
Ford, have mentioned diesel powered Falcons but like the shampoo, it wont happen overnight but......will it happen.
The government could become more pro-active by working with the Motor manufacturers/ importers to ensure a larger supply or choice of Hybrid and diesel engined cars. How do they do this ? The tax regime could be altered to make hybrids cheaper than a comparative petrol powered car, Introduce incentives for business users to use Hybrid vehicles, Also support new technologies in motor vehicle design.
I added the last point for a reason. Several years ago a businessman here in Australia applied to import a number of air powered vans made by a French company called MDI. Thats right, AIR-powered, compressed air, all 4,350psi of it. The government department in charge decided that due to the fact, that the vehicle did not have an engine as such, it was not a motor vehicle and did not comply with Australian design rules or State and territory road rules. The application to import and distribute was denied. These vehicles are distributed in mainland Europe as " neighbourhood vehicles" and can be driven without a license.
Imagine that, Canberra, a city of air powered cars, with free refills every time you drive past Parliament house!
| 50 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
