The Democrats want the $500 million Green Car Innovation Fund to be available to smaller scale manufacturers and converters producing all-electric cars and scooters, said Senator Lyn Allison at a media conference introducing the all-electric Blade Runner car.
“The purpose of the fund should be to excite leap-frogging technological advances in vehicle design. Handing all $500 million to the big, established auto manufacturers and shutting out more innovative local solutions would be a serious mistake.
The Blade Runner uses the energy equivalent of about two litres of petrol per 100 km. A super efficient AC motor, regenerative braking and lithium ion phosphate batteries help achieve this exceptional efficiency.
Mr Ross Blade’s Blade Electric Vehicles in Castlemaine converts new Hyundai Getz 3 and 5 door cars to plug in all-electric Blade Runners. Scale economies are needed to drive down the cost of these vehicles.
“The government could use its considerable economic power to buy - or at least underwrite a reasonable production run of - say, 200 Blade Runners electric cars.
“I am now on my fourth hybrid petrol/electric car (4.8l/100km), saving the cost and pollution of countless litres of petrol but it is possible to do even better, as the Blade Runner demonstrates.
“Environmental urgency and personal experience with hybrid cars gives me the confidence to press for the widespread adoption of electric cars and scooters. And government has a key role in fostering the transition,” Senator Allison concluded.
