Greens welcome Reva car decision

Greens welcome Reva car decision - Howard Govt must permit importation

The Australian Greens today welcomed the WA government's decision to trial 50 Reva electric cars and called on the Howard government to issue a permit for the vehicles to be imported.

Greens transport spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said the electric car could play an important role in helping to reduce the growing greenhouse emissions from the transport sector but the Howard government had so far thwarted a trial.

"The WA government is to be congratulated for taking on the Howard government over the use of the Reva electric car on Australia's roads," Senator Milne said.

"The vehicles, which have a maximum speed of 70 km/h, are approved for use on public roads in many countries but the Howard government has frustrated the efforts of people to import the Reva and has refused to create an appropriate vehicle licensing category for the electric car.

"More fuel efficient cars with reduced greenhouse emissions are necessary to respond to climate change and peak oil.

"This has been recognised by the European Union which in the past week announced new fuel efficiency standards and new rules to cut vehicle greenhouse emissions.

"Instead of promoting fuel guzzling V8 vehicles as Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane is today, the federal government should help redirect Australia's automotive manufacturers towards producing vehicles with improved environmental performance, thereby ensuring a long-term future for the industry."