FCAI pre-empts EV sales
As importers turn more to hybrids and electric vehicles, the FCAI has established a group to lobby on behalf of those companiesResistance is futile. The scene is set for electric vehicles to begin displacing combustion-engined vehicles in the garages of this country over the next few years.
Subaru and Mitsubishi have already trotted out a couple of prospects for the local market, but for practical ready-right-now electric vehicle transport, you would have to go to an after-market conversion house -- a company such as Blade Electric Vehicles (more here) or Energetique (more here).
The most likely buyers of electric vehicles for the present will be fleets that can amortise the steep purchase price very rapidly by offsetting that against the lower running costs. However, it's only a matter of time before electric vehicles begin to find their way into the hands of private consumers -- as used cars initially perhaps and later as new cars, once the price comes down to an affordable level.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is the body that represents the interests of car manufacturers and importers in Australia. To date, the FCAI has focused its efforts on behalf of car companies selling internal combustion (IC) vehicles, but its remit has now broadened to envelop electric and hybrid-drive passenger vehicles.
The Chamber has established a working group to cater for electric vehicles and hybrid-drive vehicles. This group, the Electric Vehicle Working Group, met earlier this week for the first time.
"Many manufacturers have announced plans to release electric vehicles in the next few years and we must ensure that Australia is ready for this technology," FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said, announcing the new group.
"Around the world the automotive industry is investing in a vast array of new technologies and fuel types to enhance environmental performance and reduce vehicle emissions.
"Electric vehicles represent real progress and the automotive industry is working to ensure that Australia is positioned at the forefront of this emerging technology.
"The working group will consult relevant external stakeholders as well as state and federal governments to ensure a nationally-consistent approach is maintained."
It's the intention of the FCAI that the working group will also look after the interests of car companies importing and distributing 'plug-in' hybrid-drive vehicles, which feature an on-board IC engine operating as a 'range-extender', rather than as a direct (mechanical) source of motive power.
The working group will liaise with state and federal governments to promote the use of electric vehicles. It's likely that there'll be some lobbying of private ventures for the establishment of EV-ready infrastructure and the working group will almost certainly have some influence on future VFACTS market segmentation, for instance.
At the present, VFACTS doesn't allow importers the flexibility of allocating an electric vehicle to a bespoke 'EV' segment within VFACTS. As far as the sales statistics are concerned, the electric vehicles are currently 'marketed' against cheaper IC cars in the light and small-car segements. That places the EVs at an immediate disadvantage -- purchase price. It's been the view of at least one prospective importer that VFACTS will have to adjust to the new paradigm.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV news here,
Subaru Stella review here,
Subaru Stella news here
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