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engines within the next decade, in
line with countries including the
UK and France, which have
already announced plans to phase
out the sale of new petrol and
diesel cars by 2040.
WHICH COUNTRIES ARE
POWERING AHEAD?
With two million units sold
worldwide in 2018 alone, global
interest in electric cars is booming
and there’s no U-turn in sight. In
fact, a recent Bloomberg New
Energy Finance report predicted
worldwide sales would continue to
surge to 11 million in 2025, and 30
million in 2030.
FAST-GROWING
COUNTRIES
The US, China and Europe are
responsible for around 9 in 10 sales
of electric cars, but Japan and
South Korea are also major
players. In terms of overall
numbers, China well and truly led
the way in 2018 with 579,000 new
units sold, making up a 2.2%
market share, followed by the US
with 198,350, making up a 1.2%
market share.
While lower in overall numbers
at 62,260 units sold (due to its
significantly smaller population),
Norway’s electric vehicle market
share is a whopping 39.2%. Iceland
is the only other country where
electric cars recorded a double-
digit market share at 13%.
SPOTLIGHT ON NORWAY
Norway’s high percentage of
electric cars is no accident. The
country puts a high stamp duty on
internal combustion vehicles, and
exempts battery electric vehicles
from both stamp duty and its high
25% Value Added Tax. On top of
these financial incentives, Norway
also provides total exemption from
road tolls, free car ferry travel, free
recharge sites, free parking, and
access to bus lanes.
There’s no doubt that
consumers in Norway come out on
top if they purchase an electric
vehicle — it’s a relative no-brainer
and an example of strong
government policy creating
growth in the industry.
HOW DO ELECTRIC CARS
REDUCE OUR
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT?
Electric cars have zero tailpipe
emissions, so when evaluated on
that factor alone they are a lot
more eco-friendly than
conventional gasoline-powered
vehicles. Electric car energy
efficiency is also much higher.
When the gasoline in conventional
vehicles combusts, only 12 to 21%
of the energy is converted into
power for the car. Electric vehicles,
on the other hand, are able to
convert 59 to 62 % of the electric
energy to power for the vehicle.
But there is more to the
equation. We also need to consider
the “well-to-wheel” emissions,
which includes the greenhouse gas
and air pollutants that are emitted
to produce and distribute the
energy being used to power the car.
To be completely green,
electric car owners should also
consider using a renewable energy
source such as solar, wind or
geothermal energy.
IT’S TIME TO TAKE
THE WHEEL
There are a host of benefits to
joining the electric car revolution
that Australia is yet to realise,
including reductions in
greenhouse gas
emissions, cost savings
for vehicle owner-
operators, increased
job opportunities,
economic growth
and increased fuel
security. Thankfully,
consumers and industry bodies are
starting to agitate for change, clear
in the knowledge that it’s time to
steer Australia to the right side of
the transport revolution. Let’s hope
our politicians sit up and take note.
›› BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE LONG
HISTORY OF ELECTRIC CARS
1832-1839 Scottish inventor Robert Anderson invents the
first crude electric carriage powered by non-rechargeable
primary cells.
1835 American Thomas Davenport is credited with building
the first practical electric vehicle – a small locomotive.
1859 French physicist Gaston Planté invents the
rechargeable lead-acid storage battery.
1891 William Morrison builds the first successful electric
automobile in the US.
1897 The first electric taxis hit the streets of New York City.
1900 The electric automobile is in its heyday. Electric autos
represent about one-third of all cars found on the roads of
New York City, Boston and Chicago.
1901 Ferdinand Porsche creates the
Lohner-Porsche Mixte – the world’s
first hybrid electric car. The vehicle is
powered by electricity stored in a
battery and a gas engine.
1908 Henry Ford introduces the mass-produced and
gasoline-powered Model T, which will have a profound effect
on the US automobile market.
1920 During the 1920s the electric car ceases to be a viable
commercial product due to the desire for longer distance
vehicles, lack of horsepower, and the ready availability of
gasoline.
1970s Concerns about the soaring price of oil and a growing
environmental movement result in renewed interests in
electric cars from both consumers and producers.
1973 General Motors develops a prototype for an urban
electric car, displayed at the First Symposium on Low Pollution
Power Systems Development in 1973.
1974-77 Sebring-Vanguard releases the CitiCar – a wedge-
shaped electric compact car that had a range of 80-95 km.
1997 Toyota introduces the first mass-produced
hybrid, the Prius.
2006 Tesla Motors announces it will
produce a luxury electric sports
car with a range of 320+ km.
2010 GM releases the
Chevy Volt, making it the first
commercially available plug-in
hybrid.
2010 In December 2010, Nissan releases the LEAF, an all-
electric, zero tailpipe emissions car.
2013 Battery costs in the US drop by 50 per cent in just four
years, helping make electric vehicles more affordable for
consumers.
2018 Tesla delivers nearly 30,000 vehicles worldwide.
2018 More than two million electric cars sold worldwide.
JUN – JUL 2019 GEMCELL.COM.AU
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