A world without petrol

Nissan took to the streets to ask: can we live in a world without petrol? And if so, what do we do with all the bowsers?

An array of options was presented in Melbourne's busy Federation Square today, including a bowser able to fill balloons and a Zoltar fortune-teller version. The bowser display was assembled by installation art outfit The Glue Society; commissioned by Nissan Australia to promote the launch of the LEAF electric vehicle next month.

James Dive (pictured) from The Glue Society said: "A petrol bowser that no longer pumps petrol is an exciting prospect. By taking such a functional object, and reinterpreting that function, it paints a compelling and light hearted insight into what a world might be like without petrol."

Nissan anticipates by 2020, 10 per cent of the cars on Australian roads will be electric vehicles. The company plans to sell "hundreds" of LEAF models a year. For comparison, since January Mitsubishi has sold fewer than 10 i-MiEV units.

The local launch of the LEAF coincides with the official release in Australia of the documentary, Revenge of the Electric Car. The film 'stars' Nissan-Renault chief Carlos Ghosn; one of the four men in the documentary with an EV agenda, including GM's Bob Lutz and Tesla founder, Elon Musk.

It's a follow-up to the Who Killed the Electric Car documentary which opens with a scene at a cemetery, including mourners around General Motors' EV1. Phyllis Diller comments how she's old enough to remember the very first electric vehicles, and she doesn't mean the GM…

Revenge of the Electric Car is a behind-the-scenes doco on the development of new electric cars from Nissan, GM and Tesla. According to the makers, several car companies didn't want to take part in the documentary and it was arranged the film would not screen before late-2011, well after the LEAF, Volt and Tesla Roadster entered production.

Ghosn is referred to as a modern-day Napoleon, and his adherence to an EV strategy possibly damaging to Nissan. "If it fails, there potentially could be no Nissan." Commentators aren't so kind to Ghosn -- his 'theme' music is Bassey's Goldfinger -- however his determination is undoubted. Several LEAFs were in the carpark at the film's premiere in Seattle.

The 'World without Petrol' display is at Federation Square today and tomorrow (May 22 and 23). Singer and actress Natalie Bassingthwaighte was in attendance at the display's opening, and will be one of the first LEAF drivers in the country. She told motoring.com.au that she intends selling her Audi Q5 and is looking forward to taking delivery of the LEAF in two weeks.

People can visit for free and find out a LEAF fact from each of the 40 recycled bowsers. If you can't make it to the city, visit zeropetrol.com.au to check out the bowsers and vote on your favourite.

Origin Energy has signed with Nissan Australia to provide 15amp household charging points while Nissan dealers nationwide will offer recharging, via company Charge Point, at no expense to owners. An App is available for smart phone users detailing where Nissan dealerships with charge points are located.

LEAF is due for launch in Australia mid June.