[Peakoil] Top car makers stall on hybrids in Australia

[Antony Barry]

Top car makers stall on hybrids in Australia
Daniel Dasey Consumer Reporter
September 3, 2006


CAR makers are dragging the chain on introducing alternative-fuel  
vehicles into Australia, despite high oil prices and growing consumer  
demand.

While motorists in countries such as the United States and Japan can  
choose from a wide range of vehicles powered by methanol, hydrogen  
fuel cells and hybrid engines, local drivers have few options outside  
petrol, gas and diesel.

Despite long-term predictions for high petrol prices, most major car  
makers have no immediate plans to clean up their acts. Even so, the  
American parents of local manufacturers Ford and Holden offer several  
alternative-fuel options in the US, where hybrids made up 1.2 per  
cent of vehicle sales in 2005.

Environment groups are calling for government intervention to ensure  
the introduction of cleaner, more economical vehicles.

"We would buy them if they were here," Jeff Angel of the Total  
Environment Centre said. "The more they produce, the cheaper these  
cars are going to become. Car manufacturers should start becoming  
part of the solution."

More at http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/top-car-makers-stall-on- 
hybrids-in-australia/2006/09/02/1156817150981.html?from=rss
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