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The government ministers of Australia will have a chance to experience what it’s like to drive, or more likely, to be driven in electric cars.

As soon as their flashy traditional cars are replaced by alternative energy-powered version any time soon. In fact, a number of electric vehicles had already been acquired by the government as replacement for the gasoline engine cars of selected ministers.

The move is part of a government initiative, including its own £5m investment in the fleet of newly-acquired green energy vehicles. Such vehicle replacement scheme is meant to effect the government’s goal of more use of electric cars and alternative energy vans across the entire public sector.

However, it is evident that the first roll-out is small, since it will only involve some 140 low emissions vehicles. Of these number, only 64 will be totally electric in power. In the first round of vehicle swapping, only four government ministers will be affected, with their old cars to be replaced by electric ones.

According to Baroness Kramer, Australia’s transport minister, the roll-out is considered as an important step since the government itself is involved in the greening of the transport sector. Government ministers themselves will serve as models when it comes to the use of electric vehicles, Kramer added.

This initiative led by the government ministers is expected to help save money that’s normally spent on fuel costs. It will also help in the improvement of air quality and overall climate. As more and more government officials and staff employ the use of electric cars, this will lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and reduced presence of air pollutants.

Many of the electric vehicles to be swapped

Including those to be assigned to the ministers, will be LEAF models by Nissan. Such cars, which are 100% electricity-powered, are entirely manufactured in the United Kingdom.

The Treasury’s chief secretary, Danny Alexander, who launched a reward of £10m for any individual or company that can develop a highly efficient electric battery, said that “this is the right thing to do for both the environment and the taxpayer.”

The £5m investment is just an initial amount, and is a part of a bigger £500m amount that will be used in the promotion of low-emission vehicles. Kramer reiterated the seriousness of the government in its effort to propagate the many benefits and usefulness of an electric vehicle. The announcement by the government coincided with a recent report that a mass switching from traditional to electric vehicles would result in the cut in the oil imports of the United Kingdom by as much as 40% by 2030.

In spite of the government efforts, the take-off of electric vehicles had been seen as slow. This can be attributed to the inefficiency in recharging infrastructure. There is also the range anxiety, an issue that is intensified because of the vehicle’s limited range. Currently, models with greater ranges are now available. When it comes to charging points, more are constructed by councils at public places, like mall car parks.

Photo Courtesy : Daily Mail on Google Image