Think back five years, when automotive news sites couldn't wait to be first with the latest announcement that a prominent manufacturer was set to end production of petrol-engined cars.
Whether this was a carefully crafted ploy or not, it did wonders for sales and would have continued if not for the unscheduled intervention of COVID-19.
Once that blip was conquered and production normalised, new sales records continue to be set in Australia and elsewhere. Sales of Hybrids and EVs have gone from miniscule in 2017 to significant now, while taking the numbers for hydrocarbon-burning versions off the scale as well.
The problem, as seen by people who might be buying electric cars but aren't, is that no one wants to be responsible for infrastructure that underpins their existence. Recharging stations exist mainly along major highways, recycling for dead EV batteries is barely functional and even training of fire services in extinguishing EV conflagrations is lacking.
Once a strong proponent of EVs Only After 2030, Mercedes-Benz has recently announced rekindled interest in Hybrid designs, with full electric available only in places where 'market conditions allow'.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 492-utgaven av Unique Cars.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
V8 MATES
THIS HOLDEN SL/R 5000 BUILD WAS THE CATALYST FOR A GREAT FRIENDSHIP
ICE ICE BABY
TAKE ONE VOLKSY FASTY AND ADD A SUBY FLAT FOUR ... SIMPLE
LOST & FOUND!
THEY THINK THEY MIGHT HAVE FOUND AMELIA EARHART'S PLANE...WE ALREADY HAVE HER CAR!
CAB CHARGE
WHEN IS AN EX-TAXI NOT AN EX-TAXI? WHEN IT'S A FORMER WEDDING-CAR. THIS RARE EBONY BLACK VG VALIANT WAS FOUND BY SHEER LUCK
CBX1000
HONDA'S BIG-SIX TOURER IS A COMPELLING RIDE
1967 FORD MUSTANG FLASHBACK
THIS 1967 MUSTANG MIGHT LOOK LIKE ANOTHER BULLITT TRIBUTE, BUT WHAT LIES UNDERNEATH IS NO ORDINARY MUSTANG
HONDA S2000 SPORTS
THERE ARE numerous contenders for the title of 'World's Best Four Cylinder Engine' and Honda's F20C, twin overhead cam powerhouse must be right near the top of the list.
FORD ESCORT 1970-80
FORD VERY nearly turned the Japanese small-car tide with its conservative but groundbreaking Escort.
ROLLING BACK THE FEARS
HYBRIDS AND EVS ARE BECOMMING MORE POPULAR, BUT A RECENT RETHINK SEES ICE ENGINES, THEREFORE CLASSIC CARS, SET TO ROLL ON FOR MANY YEARS TO COME
SUPERCAT ON THE PROWL
TWR HAS revealed its limited edition Supercat, with a price tag of $428,000 plus taxes, with deliveries to commence late 2024.