Vic: Electric car given green light on Australian roads

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2009
Vic: Electric car given green light on Australian roads

We're one step closer to seeing an electric car on Australian roads .. with the federal
government giving a design by Mitsubishi the green light .. as far as safety standards
go.

But there's no word about when it'll be coming to local caryards.

Designed and produced in Japan .. the plug-in electric car can be driven for 160 kilometres
at speeds of up to 130 kilometres an hour when fully charged.

Transport Minister ANTHONY ALBANESE says it's a win for the challenges of climate change.

He's admitted there's no infrastructure for electric drivers to recharge at service
stations as yet .. but says the car could be plugged into domestic household supplies.

And Mr ALBANESE says given that 85 per cent of Australians drive less than 100 kilometres
a day .. it would suit most lifestyles.

Mitsubishi will enter large-scale production in June for the Japanese market.

AAP RTV ees/gfr/tm

KEYWORD: ELECTRIC (MELBOURNE)

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.