Federal Government provides more funding to support electric vehicle sales

12/29/24 • 1 min

Fresh from hearing that budget deficits over the next four years are forecast to blow out by another 20 billion dollars comes news the Federal Government will help finance $150 million in low interest loans through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for workers earning less than $100,000 per year, as well as essential workers such as police officers and teachers, to help them buy an electric car. The media release suggesting the move could save buyers more than $8,000 on a $40,000 loan. According to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, the discounted loans help remove barriers to ownership helping more Australians drive cars that can save them thousands of dollars a year. EV owners pay no petrol excise to maintain our roads, currently 50.6 cents per litre, so why should they also get a subsidized loan – it’s ridiculous. I’m David Berthon.

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Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed SUV – well specified seven-seat family carrier

Driving Mitsubishi’s seven-seat mid-size Outlander SUV – it comes in a large range of front and all-wheel drive models in pure petrol or plug-in hybrid – I’m driving the top-line petrol Exceed 4WD – a 2.5-litre four-cylinder CVT automatic at $52,640. So how does it drive – the naturally aspirated petrol engine with 135kW and 244 Nm of torque is adequate, it’s no fire breather however the continuously variable transmission taps the power and torque well, but push it hard and it tends to surge a little like most CVT transmissions, however for the heavy work it has 8 pre-set manual gear ratios you can access via the steering wheel mounted shift paddles. The suspension is set up for one or seven passengers, as such it’s not sporty but provides a very comfortable ride and driving experience while the steering offers the ability to add more assistance if needed. The driving experience also aided by six drive modes – three, normal, eco and sport that adjust steering and transmission settings plus three offroad modes that give the Outlander a more adventurous spirit. As I said earlier, good economy 8.7L/100 on 91 Octane petrol. As a family carrier there’s much to like with Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed and little to criticize. I’m David Berthon

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Subsidised loans for electric cars get Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry support

I spoke earlier how the Federal Government has announced it is providing $150
million in funding to subsidise loans for electric vehicle purchases. Designed for
workers earning less than $100,000 per year. Surprisingly, the Federal Chamber
of Automotive Industries came out in support of the move despite the fact that EV
sales the world over have slowed and at a time when an increasing numbers of
new and affordable Chinese electric brands and models are entering the
Australian market. I’m not against electric cars, far from it, they offer some
excellent benefits however Chris Bowen’s obsession with subsidizing their
purchase with taxpayer money really irks me – electric car owners don’t pay a
cent for road maintenance whereas petrol or diesel owners contribute 50.6 cents
a litre through fuel excise. Surely it’s time we had a fairer road user charge . I’m
David Berthon

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