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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Environment
Adam Morton

Australia has a steep hill to climb on electric cars – but if ever there was a time, it’s now

Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese parade their credentials on electric vehicles before the election.
Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese parade their credentials on electric vehicles before the election. This week may reveal stronger pointers towards a policy shift. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Last week an acquaintance who owns a secondhand Japanese electric car, brought to Australia as part of a bulk purchase by the Good Car Company, posted a quiet boast. His wife had put their Nissan Leaf in for its annual service. No major problems were found – just an underinflated tyre. The total bill? $120.

Reading that sent me to the mess of my glovebox to work out how much I had paid mechanics to keep my Subaru Outback running over the past year. It added up to more than $700.

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