GM: Australia must end oil dependence  

The Hun (or Herald Sun, as it is sometimes called) has a report on some interesting comments from a visiting VP from General Motors - General Motors VP says Australia must end oil dependence.

Australia must move quickly to end its dependence on imported oil for transport to capitalise on the country's massive bank of alternative energy sources. LPG should be the first step, followed by everything from compressed natural gas to hydrogen and even solar power for plug-in electric cars, according to the energy expert at the world's largest carmaker.

"If I did have that magic wand in Australia I would definitely focus on energy diversity," Larry Burns, the vice-president for planning at General Motors, said in Melbourne yesterday. "I would ask myself 'Do I need to be importing any petroleum at all into this country?'. Why would you want to not import petroleum, with all the money that flows out of your economy? Why wouldn't you want to control your own destiny."

Burns is responsible for long-term research and planning at GM, a role which seems him deeply involved in future transport choices and a world beyond petroleum. He talked about everything from petrol-electric hybrid cars to high-tech diesel engines, electric cars with on-board generators and, eventually, fuel-cell cars which generate their own power using hydrogen as the fuel.

GM Holden is already committed to a range of energy upgrades on its locally-made Commodore, starting at cylinder de-activation to cut fuel use in low-drain situations and running through to hybrids and diesels, but is yet to announce a firm timetable or product plan.

Burns said Australia is one of the countries which is spoiled for choice, but government needs to move quickly to ensure it capitalises on the various options. "I am enviable of Australia because I think you are one of the nations that can come truly come up with an energy independence strategy and find a way to reduce the automobile's dependence on petroleum," Burns said.

He believes the petrol price shock over the past year, as well as the climate debate, has focussed attention on energy and forced people to think about the future of motoring. ...

But, for Australia, he sees the sun playing a big role as electric cars take over from petrol-powered vehicles. "I would really go after solar big-time in the longer term. I really think it is going to be economically viable," he said.

Burns believes it could be best to generate electricity from home solar cells, then use it to charge a plug-in car as well as powering the household's needs.