Mitsubishi I-Miev News

It's the first full electric car to get the maximum safety score, although a range of petrol-electric hybrids, including the Toyota Camry, which has just moved up in local testing, have managed a five

And each week it seems the fuel price sign goes up faster than a politician's pay packet. Australians use a vast amount of fuel in going about their daily business, be it getting the kids to school, travelling to and from work, or conducting the nation's business.Each year we import an ocean of petrol, diesel and LPG that's equivalent to 63,000 Olympic swimming pools. And we're not alone, as the vast populations of newly mobile countries such as India and China take to the roads in their Tatas, Great Walls and Cherys, the world's thirst for oil seems ever more insatiable.Overlay this with war and unrest in the Middle East, the source of 56 per cent of the world's oil, and the inevitable push-pull dynamics of supply and demand can lean to only one thing: higher fuel prices.Here in Australia motorists have been feeling the pinch of higher fuel prices since January when the latest spike in oil prices first began appearing on service station leader boards.The spiralling petrol prices mean fuelling a family car like a Commodore or Falcon now accounts for 2.6 per cent of average weekly earnings. But you don't have to sit back and take it in the hip pocket. There are ways to drive down your weekly fuel bills. Here are a few of them.DOWNSIZING According to VFACTS industry statistics, this seems the most popular choice. Large cars have gone from the top-selling passenger segment in 2000 with 198,766 to the smallest passenger segment last year with 98,583 and falling at 3.1 per cent.Meanwhile, sales of smaller cars are skyrocketing. In the past 10 years small car sales have almost doubled to 239,191 while light cars have increased about 44 per cent to 137,916. You can buy a small car from as little as $11,990 (plus on-road costs) for the Chinese-made Chery, right up $35,990 for a Citroen DS3.And you won't go without. Some of the cheapest little cars these days come with a swag of safety and creature features from multiple airbags to Bluetooth connectivity.PROS: Save on fuel; do the environment a favour; easier to park; nippier in traffic; little hatches can be cavernous if you fold down the rear seats.CONS: You get cramped on long journeys; they are noisier on the highway; they're bumpier over potholes; you could feel a little silly driving a Smurf car.Our Pick: Hyundai i20 (from $15,490) is set to take over from Getz as the segment leader with Euro styling and a high level of features and safety.Others to Consider: Suzuki Swift (from $15,990), Mazda2 (from $15,790) and Toyota Yaris (from $14,990).DIESEL Like smaller car categories, the growth in diesel-powered vehicles is exponential. Since the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries began collating separate figures for various fuel types in 2005, diesel cars and SUVs have more than doubled to 125,555 last year, which is almost one in every five new passenger cars or SUVs bought today.The reason is that modern diesel engines are not only up to twice as frugal as a petrol vehicle, but they often have lower emissions because they burn less fuel per kilometre and usually have an exhaust system that traps small carbon materials.Modern diesels are also quieter and smoother running. However, diesel engines have higher internal pressures and a complex fuel system so they are more expensive to build than a petrol engine. Some car companies charge up to $10,000 more for a diesel variant, although most charge around an extra $2000.Expensive diesels are often the result of low production volumes and highly technological designs and machining costs. To reap the economic benefits you have to drive big kilometres each year and hold on to the vehicle longer.An extreme example is the Holden CD Cruze auto diesel that costs $4000 more than the petrol model. Based on RACQ's fuel running costs of 9.36c/km for the petrol and 8.41c/km for the diesel, you would have to drive 25,000km for 16 years to recoup the extra cost.PROS: Fuel economy is anywhere between 10-50 per cent better than a petrol equivalent; more torque means quicker acceleration and easier driving around town; better towing capacity; marginally better resale value; lower CO2 emissions per kilometre; diesel engines often last longer because of the more robust engineering.CONS: Fewer diesel pumps on servo forecourts means queuing at the servo; oily bowser pumps leave your hands smelly and dirty; the engines still clatter at idle and sound raucous at full revs; it takes a long time to reap the economic benefits; servicing charges can also be more expensive because of the more expensive oils required and the complicated fuel systems.Our Pick: Fiesta ECOnetic (from $24,990) is a hybrid beater even in stop-start commuting, yet it's a delight to drive.Others to Consider: Hyundai i30 (from $23,090), VW Golf (from $29,990), Subaru Forester (from $35,990).LPG It's almost worth it to convert your petrol or diesel vehicle to LPG just to get the $1500 Federal government subsidy. But you better be quick because the conversion rebate drops to $1250 from July 1 and decreases $250 annually. All rebates and subsidies are only for private vehicles.Conversions cost an average of $2800 for pre-2006 vehicles, but about $4000 for newer vehicles because of emissions regulations. If you buy a vehicle factory fitted for LPG before its first registration, you get a $2000 rebate from the Feds.However, choices of new vehicles with factory fitted LPG systems are limited. Ford has a new LPG Falcon coming in July and has factory-fitted systems for some of its utes. Holden has an Autogas dual-fuel injection system for its Commodore and will have a mono-fuel LPG Commodore later this year.Toyota has a direct injection LPG system for its 2.7-litre HiAce vans and Mitsubishi has an aftermarket sequential multi-port direct-injection system for its Challenger, Express Van, Pajero, Triton and the now defunct 380.PROS: Much cheaper fuel (about 60c compared with $140+ for ULP); government subsidies make conversion attractive; LPG prices are fairly static so you don't have to fill up on a Tuesday morning when servo prices are cheapest; lower emissions.CONS: Limited choice of new dual-fuel vehicles; only suitable for large vehicles; you lose boot space; even though they are safe they can develop minor smelly leaks; they add about 75kg (about the weight of two large suitcases) to the rear of the car effecting handling; it can be difficult finding servos with LPG in rural areas.HYBRID These are vehicles with petrol or diesel internal combustion engines paired with an electric motor or motors. The drivetrain and associated battery pack for the electric motor is more complex so therefore more costly. Like diesels, you need to do big kays before the savings at the bowser recoup the extra purchase price.For example, a Toyota Prius costs about $2500 more than a Corolla Ultima. Using RACQ's running costs, the fuel savings will take 4 years at 15,000km a year (or 2.5 years at 25,000km/year) to recoup the extra purchase price.Most hybrids switch off totally every time you stop and run on electric power only when you are driving slowly, so they are most economical in heavy traffic. The benefits are marginal on country roads and highways, although when both drive units are operating under heavy acceleration such as when overtaking, they do offer a tangible boost to acceleration.Despite the fact the technology has been around for 10 years, Hybrids are still relatively new. Today, there are 10 hybrid models on the market, but only the Toyota Prius, Camry, Honda Insight and Civic are affordable.Hybrids tend to be bought mainly by governments and big business to emphasise their green credentials. Taxi companies also like hybrids because of their fuel efficiency in urban environments. If you're open to the idea of a used vehicle, then a second-hand Prius or similar is a reasonable option.PROS: Cheaper to run in traffic; feel and be seen to be environmentally conscious; extra power under heavy acceleration; almost silent running when on electric only power.CONS: Higher purchase price; the number of models is limited but you can choose from a small Prius to a large Porsche Cayenne SUV; some look odd like the Prius and Insight.Our Pick: Toyota Prius (from $39,900) and the Honda Insight (from $29,990) at least look like futuristic hybrids, so your neighbours will know you are trying to be green.Others to consider: Honda Civic (from $34,490), Toyota Camry (from $36,990)ELECTRIC CARSThe only production electric cars in Australia are the Tesla Roadster at $241,938 and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV which is available only on a lease of $1740 a month for three years for a total of $62,640. Then the car goes back to Mitsubishi. When it arrives it is expected to cost $70,000.However, prices will come crashing down in the next few years as more and more EVs become available in Australia. The first of these will be the Nissan Leaf and Holden Volt next year.The Volt is expected to cost less than $40,000 and Nissan is saying the Leaf will cost about the same to run as a Tiida, even though initial outlay will probably be close to the Volt. While tailpipe emissions are zero, most electricity in Australia comes from burning dirty coal, so the environmental advantage is reduced.Some critics say there is no advantage. Current limitations of battery technology mean range is also limited to about 160km according to the car companies, but in real life it's less, especially if you have a lead foot.PROS: Very cheap to run; no tailpipe emissions; almost silent running; aerodynamic body shapes.CONS: Expensive to buy - that's if you can find one to buy; silent running can be dangerous for pedestrians; battery disposal is an environmental issue; range is limited; long re-charging time (up to eight hours); most EVs are designed to look futuristic but just end up looking like golf carts.DRIVE ECONOMICALLYOf all the things you can do to drive down your fuel bill, this is the most pragmatic as it's the simplest and most affordable. It can be expensive to swap your trusted and much-loved family car or SUV for something smaller or with an alternative powertrain.Trade-in prices on family cars are down according to the Motor Trades Association and if you buy a new car, you are up for dealer delivery charges, stamp duty and registration. It may be cheaper to hang on to your vehicle, but modify your driving behaviour for more economical running.There are many simple things you can do: Plan trips better and make fewer trips; jettison excess weight from the car; correctly inflate your tyres and get your car serviced more frequently.Most importantly you can vary your driving behaviour by slowing down, changing up the gears sooner, avoiding heavy breaking and staying away from peak-hour traffic. You may have heard these all before, but here are five radical ideas to reducing your fuel expense burden that you may not have heard.1. Cool idea: Turning off the airconditioning will provide a slight increase in fuel economy. However, when travelling on the highway, it is more fuel efficient to have the windows up and aircon switched on than having the windows down creating aerodynamic drag. Don't leave the aircon off for long periods as bacteria will build up in the system.2. Light is right: So throw out not only the unnecessary baggage such as your golf clubs, but maybe also the spare tyre. It can weigh 15-20kg in the average car. The US Department of Energy quotes fuel use as 1-2 per cent for every 45.5kg, so that's at least 0.5 per cent saved. Conversely, NRMA tests show that loading a vehicle to its rated maximum increases fuel consumption 24 per cent. While you might be able to get away without a spare tyre around town, we recommend you always carry it on long trips, especially in the country.3. Turned off: Switch off the engine at long traffic light stops. Modern fuel-injected cars start quickly without the need for any throttle. Car makers with stop-start technology that automatically switches off the engine every time the car is stopped quote fuel savings in traffic of 4-5 per cent.4. Just cruising: Use cruise control more frequently. Most cruise control systems actually put the car's engine into an economy mode and will run more efficiently than most drivers can drive as it accelerates more evenly. It is best used on the open road and not hilly terrain or stop-start conditions. While we could not find any official figures, some sources claim fuel savings up to 14 per cent.5. Re-tyre: the next time you buy tyres, choose from the new range of "eco" tyres with low rolling resistance. A California Energy Commission study estimated low-rolling resistance tyres could save 1.5-4.5 per cent on fuel consumption.

Then we head north in a Holden Cruze and Mitsubishi ASX, looking to see how far this pair can go on a single take of fuel.  Ed Ordynski is in the ASX and I have the Cruze, holding  the trip computer just over 6 litres/100km as Ordynski - expert driver - is below 5 litres/100km.The first stop is just outside Port Pirie after 250 kilometres and the figures are 5.3 and 4.2, as we battle wind and rain.  A lunch stop in Waikerie - about 530km into the journey - and then a turn south to follow the Murray both cars maintain sub-6 readings - the ASX in the region of 4.5 and the Cruze 5.5 litres per 100km as we pass the 700km mark near Murray Bridge.The weather worsens as we follow the river south through 730km at Wellington."The ASX was more adversely affected by that, it was 0.3 litres/100km worse off - we did what you need to do into a headwind and that was reduce the speed a little," Ordynski says.Running down through the southern foothills to complete our 1000km journey we return the tanks to full. There are still 15 litres in the Mitsubishi's 60-litre tank, but my Cruze is almost on fumes.  But after thirteen hours of "real-world" driving we have hit our 1000-kilometre target."I would drive like that with people on board and not be embarrassed," Ordynski says.  "You win on fuel use and emissions as well, with 2kg of CO2 for every litre of fuel, you win on maintenance and longevity of the vehicle by driving it kindly as well, it's hard to see a downside."Ed Ordynski’s Fuel TipsLevel 1. Overall factors1. Plan when you need to use your car to avoid unnecessary journeys.2. Plan your journey to avoid peak hour and congested roads.3. Measure your fuel consumption and take pride in reducing it.4. Choose an energy efficient vehicle.Level 2. Anyone can try1. Concentrate on driving smoothly and anticipate traffic flow to conserve momentum.2. Keep tyre pressures at maximum recommended.3. Avoid any excess weight in the vehicle and remove accessories which affect the aerodynamics (e.g. roof racks).4. Choose a manual transmission and learn to drive it properly for optimum fuel efficiency.Level 3. Hard-core methods1. Avoid use of airconditioning and keep windows closed.2. Do not use cruise control but do focus on keeping a constant speed and conserving momentum.3. Drive at low speed - most cars are at their most efficient at around 75km/h in top gear.4. Drive off as soon as the engine is started, especially from a cold start.GREEN STARSMake-model weight price combined fuel con1. Mitsubishi -MiEV 980kg $leased 02. Toyota Prius 1370kg $39,990 3.93. Smart Fortwo 750kg $19,9904.44. Honda Insight 1205kg $29,9904.65. Suzuki Alto 880kg $11,790 4.8GREEN DUDS1. Ferrari 599 1690kg $677,250 21.32. Ferrari 612 1849kg $698,000 20.73. Nissan Patrol 4.8 2440kg $75,690 17.24. Maserati GT S Coupe 1880kg $345,900 16.65. Mercedes ML 500 2148kg $132,400 16.5

The spark that is igniting a new generation of electric cars has spread to Ford and fired a battery-powered Focus that will be ready for showrooms later this year.There is no confirmation - yet - of a sales plan in Australia, but the Ford Focus Electric is the blue oval brand's new-age hero as it races to recover ground from the early plug-in pacemakers from Mitsubishi and Nissan - the iMiEV and Leaf - and to shortcut hybrid heroes including the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt.The Focus Electric is revealed today, not at the Detroit auto show but at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Los Vegas. It's an event Ford has used often in recent years and that hosts the roll-out this year of Ford's electric-vehicle App for smart phones."We're more than a car company, we're a technology company," says Alan Mulally, Ford's CEO, speaking in Las Vegas.“There's a convergence between consumer electronics and the car.There's a whole ecosystem that goes with the electric vehicle. It's more than just the car. It's part of a system-wide solution.”But the Focus is the focus and, despite a grille that looks like it was snitched from the front of an Aston Martin, the electric model is packed with new technology.The company boasts a top speed of 140km/h and that it can be fully recharged in just four hours, around half the time of other electric vehicles.Power comes from a 23-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, an electric motor and a single-speed transmission.There is a clear eco focus in the car that includes biofoam seat cushions, trim parts made from recycled plastic, while Ford plans to sell 240-volt chargers for the car for just $1499.The Focus Electric is claimed to drive the same as a regular petrol- powered model and it will be built in the USA, unlike the Focus from Thailand that will be sold in the USA.Ford will use the Detroit motor show to fill in the technical detail of the plug-in Focus, as well as confirming five other EV and updated hybrid models it will have for sale in 2012. They include a pair of hybrids with updated lithium-ion battery packs.

As independent groups aim for a series of recharging stations around Australian city precincts, a director of Mitsubishi Motors Australia - which is the first manufacturer to offer Australians an volume electric car - is cooling the plans."The recharge issue is not a big problem in Australia," says MMAL's vice president of corporate strategy, Paul Stevenson.  "As battery performance increases, the need for recharge stations decreases."Despite most car makers having access to advanced electric car technology, production is being restrained by the performance of current batteries.  The Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Australian's first volume marketable electric car, has access to a single fast-charge station in Adelaide.The station, at MMAL's headquarters, is the first commercial fast-charger (there already are standard chargers) in Australia and is designed for the i-MiEV.  Provider Club Assist claims it will deliver 50 per cent of full charge in 12 minutes, sufficient for a range of about 60km.It is the first of a roll out of stations being planned by suppliers including Club Assist and Chargepoint.  While Mr Stevenson applauds the infrastructure that will embrace electric vehicle use, he indicates that a large number of recharging stations may be unnecessary."I get frustrated that recharging is seen as a barrier to electric vehicle ownership," he says.  "Maybe overseas, but not in Australia."In France, for example, all new apartments and offices must have plug-in rechargers.  "Most Australians live in detached houses. Owners will charge their electric car overnight and, with even the current range of as little as 100km, can cover most commuting distances on that single charge."There is no real need for street chargers in Australia.  In other countries, with high density housing and no off-street parking, street charging is more valid."But even that 100km is achievable only in urban use where constant braking regenerates the battery. When Carsguide had its exclusive first drive of the i-Miev in Sydney last month, our proposal to take the vehicle to Eastern Creek in the citys outer west was kyboshed by Mitsubishi, which said freeway running would quickly diminish the charge, making the less than 80km round trip problematic.Mr Stevenson says there was a simple comparison between electric cars and petrol cars.  "How many petrol stations would we need if we each had one at our house?"Mitsubishi has leased 115 of its i-MiEV hatchback all-electric cars to government fleets and will start leasing to private motorists from mid next year.  The 2011 i-MiEV will be a second generation model with some changes to the current version, however will not be a wide-bodied car as sold in the US.Mitsubishi will debut its PX plug-in hybrid SUV at next June's Melbourne motor show, before starting to market the car in Australia in late 2012.

... so carmakers are turning to new-wave plug-in hybrid vehicles as a stop-gap measure. Mitsubishi - which is marketing Australia's first volume electric car, the i-MiEV - says it will release a production version of its PX-MiEV SUV concept as a plug-in hybrid by 2013. The Outlander-based wagon is a range-extender - it can use its petrol engine or an overnight plug-in system to recharge its batteries for the electric motors - similar in concept to the Holden Volt. Though the PX may be beaten to the showrooms by the Volt (expected in 2012), it will be first large vehicle that can source power from an internal combustion engine, an onboard generator, or batteries. It will also better suit the lifestyle of Australians, says Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd vice president of corporate strategy, Paul Stevenson."(With small-range all-electric cars) we're asking Australians to make lifestyle changes," he says. "We like bigger cars, like SUVs. But with plug-in hybrid and electric technology, it doesn't matter what size car you drive.  The PX is a vehicle that can use electric power for commuting and the petrol and all-wheel drive system for the highways and country driving." But Stevenson still terms plug-in technology as the "interim stage" in the march towards full electric power.  "We want to get to the stage where we have drivetrain options on models," he says. "That is, plug-in, hybrid, electric, petrol and diesel."  Ultimately, Mitsubishi sees all-electric vehicles as likely future personal transport.  It's vital that to get there, the aspects of battery cost, driving range and charging time are addressed," he says. "It is very difficult at the moment to achieve all three. Which is more important? We see range and charge time as being most important.  To get the cost down, we are using alliances with PSA (Peugeot and Citroen's parent) to make more electric cars. "The more we make gives us greater volumes which lowers the cost of the batteries - that should take three years."  Stevenson says MMAL's first fast-charge station for electric cars - primarily its own i-MiEV hatchback - can deliver 50 per cent of battery charge within 15 minutes. Mitsubishi has leased 115 i-MiEVs to Australian governments and authorities and will offer cars to private users from June next year.  The i-MiEVs will be leased, not sold, to private motorists, says MMAL president and CEO Masahiko Takahashi. Australia will get an upgraded i-MiEV next year but it won't be the wide-bodied version that is to be leased into the US next year.  Takahashi says the left-hand drive body is too difficult to be adapted for right-hand drive markets such as Japan and Australia.

The car maker, celebrating 30 years in Australia, unveiled the i-MiEV concept coupe - which isn’t destined for production but like the PX-MiEV SUV, showcases the potential breadth of electric powerplants.Mitsubishi has become the first carmaker to retail a volume-production electric vehicle in this country and tis move is timely given the Federal Government’s plans to mandate a 190 grams per kilometre CO2 emission level for a carmaker’s fleet from 2015.Mitsubishi Motors Australia president and CEO, Mr Masahiko Takahashi, says the iMEV coupe concept showed the possibilities of extending vehicle range and performance thanks to a lighter body, cleaner aerodynamics and an electric motor with increased torque.“Mitsubishi expects to sell 110 i-MiEVs by Christmas which shows the future o sustainable motoring,” he says.The company has reported sales up 4 per cent year-to-date compared with the same period in 2009, for an unchanged 6 per cent market share.And he birthday cake? In the shape and colours of an i-MiEV, of course. And small, too!

 ... a SUV powered by a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain and can run on batteries alone for shorter commutes, as well as be recharged from the domestic electricity grid. The PX-MiEV comes packed with technologies that boost efficiency and cut emissions.  It even comes with a double dose of ‘cocochi’ – which is Japanese for ‘cozy’.  In other words, it’s a crossover that’s had all vestigial traces of ruggedness removed and is instead fully compatible with, and adapted to, the demands of urban automotive duties. A 1.6-litre petrol four provides the internal combustion-based motivation, together with a parallel system of electric drive from two permanent magnet synchronous motors. A bank of batteries allows the PX-MiEV to run up to 50km on batteries alone. The PX-MiEV uses an E-4WD system that shuffles torque between the wheels at will, using the S-AWC (super all-wheel control) and E-AYC (electric-powered active yaw control) systems more at home in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. A new centre rear differential setup – not from the Evo – tweaks the E-AYC’s drive distribution at the rear. An electronically controlled air suspension system gives the driver three ride height settings, depending on the size of the speed humps and traffic calming measures in front.

It's a motor show, but not the way we've ever known them in the past.  This one is limited to just 17 cars.The reason why there are so few cars involved is that they must all be green cars.  And that's the reason it has such a big future.As time passes, and carmakers expand their green fleets with all sorts of lean-burn petrol engines, high-tech diesels, hybrids and electric cars, the Green Zone Drive promises to become a significant event for people who want to change their motoring priorities.The event is the idea of a couple of motor industry veterans led by John Kananghinis, formerly a public relations chief and marketing boss at BMW Australia.  It's not just a stand-and-look show, either.The idea behind the Green Zone Drive is to have people get behind the wheel and actually drive the cars, around a special circuit laid out in the centre of Melbourne.  It's claimed as a world first and a major innovation in green motoring.The event has picked up a lot of backing, from the Victorian government and Melbourne city council to EPA Victoria, Future Climate Australia, Shell and even the driver training experts at Murcotts.  Nine carmakers are involved, which is not very many with more than 50 brands on sale in Australia today.But the number is sure to grow and the current list - Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, Hyundai, Mini, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Volvo - shows a good spread across sizes, prices and classes.The obvious hero car is the first plug-in electric car on sale in Australia, the Mitsubishi iMiEV.  But the spread of cars runs from the locally-made Toyota Camry hybrid to the Volvo C30 DRIVe, the super-economy Ford Fiest ECOnetic and a range of diesels wearing Audi, BMW, Mini and even Hyundai badges.Of course, the Toyota Prius is also there.  The course for the drive takes green car fans around Melbourne's Docklands region and its no coincidence that it starts and finishes outside the Fox Classic Car Collection, home to one of Australia's best lineups of landmark cars.The event runs for just eight days but it's a start and has obvious potential to expand in coming years, not just in the car lineup but also its location. It could easily go on an Australia-wide tour and perhaps even head overseas.If you want to know more, take a look at www.greenzonedrive.com.au

And it seems they’ll have to do the same for the other of the first generation of mass-market electric vehicles being rolled out, the Mitsubishi iMiEV. Mitsubishi announced this month that its iMiEV plug-in electric car arriving in July will only be available on a lease basis. Now Nissan says it will do the same when its Leaf EV arrives in 2012.Nissan Australia CEO Dan Thompson says leasing a package that includes a charging system installed in the home would be "the most favourable option"."The problem is customer's range anxiety," he says, pointing out that motorists will need a dedicated charging system in their home to satisfy concerns about the limited 160km range of the vehicle. It will be important to package the whole thing with charging hardware for the home. (The lease arrangement) will most likely be offered exclusively through Nissan's finance company."The vehicle goes on sale in Japan and the US in December with US buyers able to choose between a lease package and an outright purchase."Over the next six months we will be ale to see the data about what has worked in the US," Thompson says. "This is a 100 per cent new business model for us. We won't know the answers until we see the rollout overseas."The vehicle will cost about $42,000 after the US government's $7500 cashback subsidy. Nissan chief operating officer Toshiyuki Shiga says the Japanese government is offering a cash subsidy of half the price differential over a conventionally powered car of the same size. In Japan, the Leaf price is about $48,000 and the government subsidy is $9800."After 2012 we will expand production overseas and the costs will come down," Shiga says. "Over the next six years the cost of gasoline powered cars and EV will be about the same. In the beginning it will be difficult to sell because of the cost, but when the cost comes down the government incentives will go."Thomson says Nissan Australian is about 'a year away' from settling on prices.