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From a Greens Media Release:
Wednesday, 11 October 2006
Government continues to delay electric car trial in Australia
Coalition senators today refused to back an Australian Greens' call for
the government to facilitate the trial of the Reva electric car in
Australia.
Greens transport spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said the federal
government's delay in issuing the necessary permits to enable the Reva
trial was unacceptable when the Indian-manufactured vehicle had been
approved for use in the European Union, Japan and Malta, and was being
tested in several other markets, including the USA.
"The electric car is one of a suite of initiatives that can
significantly reduce Australia's dependence on oil, which is critical
given the looming crunch as demand exceeds economically viable
supplies," Senator Milne said in Canberra.
"This vehicle, which I have had the opportunity to test drive on a
private road, also offers the potential to reduce air pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions. It has a top speed of 65 kilometres per hour,
and can travel up to 80 kilometres before requiring charging.
"For months, the federal government has been frustrating the trial for
the Reva, and the importer, the Adelaide-based Solar Shop, now faces the
prospect of having to export the car or have it destroyed early next
month if a trial does not proceed.
"The Greens are calling on the Local Government, Territories and Roads
Minister Jim Lloyd to expedite the matter when transport ministers meet
in Canberra on Friday."
Senator Milne's motion was defeated 34 votes to 31. The text of the
motion appears below.
Senator Milne moved the following motion today:
That the senate:
(a) notes that:
(i) the Reva electric car has been approved for use
in the European Union, Japan and Malta and is being test marketed in the
USA, Sri Lanka, Norway, Ireland, Switzerland, Romania and Cyprus,
(ii) electric vehicles can reduce both Australia's
dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly
when recharged with renewable electricity,
(iii) based on accident and insurance data, the chance
of a fatality occurring in a Reva is around 50% less than in an ordinary
car.
(b) calls on the Government to:
(i) remove any impediment that would prevent the
import of 20 Revas into Australia for a trial,
(ii) investigate the adoption of the UNECE Heavy
Quadricycle category 92/61/EC as a vehicle class,
(iii) extend the import permit to delay the
destruction or export of the one Reva vehicle currently in Australia
until such a time a final decision is taken in regard to adoption of the
heavy quadricycle vehicle category.
Wednesday, 11 October 2006
Government continues to delay electric car trial in Australia
Coalition senators today refused to back an Australian Greens' call for
the government to facilitate the trial of the Reva electric car in
Australia.
Greens transport spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said the federal
government's delay in issuing the necessary permits to enable the Reva
trial was unacceptable when the Indian-manufactured vehicle had been
approved for use in the European Union, Japan and Malta, and was being
tested in several other markets, including the USA.
"The electric car is one of a suite of initiatives that can
significantly reduce Australia's dependence on oil, which is critical
given the looming crunch as demand exceeds economically viable
supplies," Senator Milne said in Canberra.
"This vehicle, which I have had the opportunity to test drive on a
private road, also offers the potential to reduce air pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions. It has a top speed of 65 kilometres per hour,
and can travel up to 80 kilometres before requiring charging.
"For months, the federal government has been frustrating the trial for
the Reva, and the importer, the Adelaide-based Solar Shop, now faces the
prospect of having to export the car or have it destroyed early next
month if a trial does not proceed.
"The Greens are calling on the Local Government, Territories and Roads
Minister Jim Lloyd to expedite the matter when transport ministers meet
in Canberra on Friday."
Senator Milne's motion was defeated 34 votes to 31. The text of the
motion appears below.
Senator Milne moved the following motion today:
That the senate:
(a) notes that:
(i) the Reva electric car has been approved for use
in the European Union, Japan and Malta and is being test marketed in the
USA, Sri Lanka, Norway, Ireland, Switzerland, Romania and Cyprus,
(ii) electric vehicles can reduce both Australia's
dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly
when recharged with renewable electricity,
(iii) based on accident and insurance data, the chance
of a fatality occurring in a Reva is around 50% less than in an ordinary
car.
(b) calls on the Government to:
(i) remove any impediment that would prevent the
import of 20 Revas into Australia for a trial,
(ii) investigate the adoption of the UNECE Heavy
Quadricycle category 92/61/EC as a vehicle class,
(iii) extend the import permit to delay the
destruction or export of the one Reva vehicle currently in Australia
until such a time a final decision is taken in regard to adoption of the
heavy quadricycle vehicle category.
and looking at people like you Robert I think you live out west somewere and work in the city you would have no way of being able to use it unless you could charge at work 
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