Australia urged to become electric-car champion  

The SMH has an article about a report from a car industry think tank on the need for Australian car manufacturers to switch to electric vehicle making - Australia urged to become electric-car champion.

Australia should become a world authority for a new generation of zero-emission vehicles by 2020, a roadmap spelling out the future of the automotive industry says.

The Co-operative Research Centre for Advanced Automotive Technology paper, released today, urges the Australian industry to shift its focus from traditional car-making to providing zero-emission technology for the world.

The call comes despite minimal electric vehicle expertise to date, with automotive powerhouses from Japan, Europe and the United States leading the electric charge.

‘‘Australia’s automotive industry must achieve recognition as a strategic element of the global automotive industry to be attractive to global companies and their investors,’’ the paper says. ‘‘Australia must have a sustainable, profitable vehicle manufacturing industry with global reach that maximises opportunities in local and international markets. ...

The paper then suggests Australia could become one of the world’s leading designers and producers of competitive, large, powerful, zero-emission passenger vehicles. ...

The roadmap is the first of six steps that the AutoCRC is taking to help the Australian car-making industry reinvent itself for the future.