[LINK] 'Smart' cars as fuel-efficient as hybrids

[Tom Worthington]

At 10:05 AM 16/05/2007, Antony Barry wrote:
>>  ... The attempts to get a Reva car <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REVA>
>into Australia have run into resistance by the automotive industry.  ...

Having seen a Reva, I can understand why there would be questions 
about its safety. The Reva looks small, even in a narrow Indian 
street: <http://www.tomw.net.au/blog/2006/01/indian-electric-car.html

The Australian state motor vehicle registries are very accommodating 
of electric cars, where these are based on already approved petrol 
vehicles. I have driven a Toyota Echo converted to electric power, 
registered in Queensland, and it felt very safe: 
<http://www.tomw.net.au/blog/2006/11/driving-electric-car.html>. The 
electric motor and batteries need little servicing and the rest of 
the car is standard Toyota parts.

It is also possible to use a very low power electric vehicle, if it 
has pedals (and so is classed as a bicycle). An example are the 
"Pedapod" hybrid electric tricycle taxis in Sydney: 
<http://www.tomw.net.au/blog/2007/01/hybrid-electric-tricycle-taxis-in.html>.

Perhaps if Reva produce their sports model it will find more 
acceptance: <http://www.tomw.net.au/technology/transport/reva.shtml>.


ps: Perhaps electric cars will sell well online via e-commerce, 
avoiding the high cost of motor car dealers. It should be possible to 
sell a two seater electric car in Australia for under $10,000 this 
way and make a profit. I needed to put that comment in, so that this 
post would not be off topic for Link.  ;-)



Tom Worthington FACS HLM tom.worthington at tomw.net.au Ph: 0419 496150
Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd            ABN: 17 088 714 309
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