Australian Government gas bags back gas over green hybrids

Stan Beer
Tuesday, 08 July 2008 15:20

Opinion and Analysis

Like most drivers these days, I've been exploring options for cutting costs which still enable me to run a car. It has been a surprise to discover that the Australian Government elected last year partially on its green credentials is actually more friendly to big oil than alternative energy.

"No way!" I hear you protest loudly. "You can't be talking about the Rudd Labor Government, which so proudly proclaimed its environmentalist credentials when it ratified the Kyoto Protocol in March?" I hear you ask incredulously. Oh but yes I am.

Since it took office late last year, after bringing down its first budget, the current Government has initiated exactly nothing in the way of progressive environmental policies. In fact, it has done exactly the opposite.

First the Government has done its very best to destroy the nascent solar power industry by scrapping the $8000 solar panel rebate for all except low income families who can't afford to go solar anyway. Now I find that the Government provides infinitely more generous subsidies for non-renewable fuel alternatives to gasoline than renewable alternatives.

I'm not a fan of hybrid cars, unless you can plug them in and get enough range to do all electric trips. However, I was curious to check out the Toyota Prius as a stop gap alternative until plug in cars become available.

According to the sales data, a Prius can be driven 100km on just 4.4 litres. That's one tank for a trip of 1000 km, say Melbourne to Sydney - more than double the fuel economy of my Honda CRV. This claimed outstanding economy is apparently due to the advanced computer controlled interaction between a battery driven electrical motor and the gasoline fuelled internal combustion engine. CONTINUED