Australian Electric Car Use: Grandmother drives electric car around Australia

World
Europe

02:16

When it comes to the use of electric vehicles around the world, Australia lags behind many other developed countries. The push to change that is being led by an unlikely spokesperson - a 70-year old grandmother. Greg Navarro explains.

In this part of rural Queensland dominated by the dry, brown earth, modern technology may seem scarce. Until you stop by Sylvia Wilson's property. There, next to the house you'll find her electric car affectionately named Bluey. Sylvia was happy to give us a ride in Bluey. The same electric vehicle that the 70-year old grandmother drove around the entire continent to, in part, prove a point.

SYLVIA WILSON ELECTRIC CAR OWNER "That a silly little old grey haired lady who knew nothing about mechanics or electrics could actually drive a electric car around Australia even though Australia doesn't have the infrastructure for easy charging."

Which she did, in what turned out to be the trip of a lifetime.

GREG NAVARRO CALLIOPE "This vehicle covered more than 20,000 kilometres. The cost for electricity during that trip - one hundred and 50 dollars and ninety cents."

And while charging stations were not plentiful, Sylvia says there were plenty of people willing to let her use their electricity.

SYLVIA WILSON ELECTRIC CAR OWNER "And I gifted about 25 dollars to other people who didn't ask for money."

Many developed countries are already transitioning from petrol based cars to electric vehicles. But experts say Australia lags well behind most, because of the lack of a nationally coordinated federal plan.

BEHYAD JAFARI, CEO ELECTRIC VEHICLE COUNCIL "We've seen a lot of discussion about the need for one, a lot of appreciation for how beneficial it would be but we've yet to see action."

As a result, electric vehicles still remain expensive in Australia compared with other countries, and experts say it still lacks the infrastructure necessary for that transition. Sylvia Wilson says switching to an electric vehicle has been well worth the investment.

SYLVIA WILSON ELECTRIC CAR OWNER "It takes the experience of the driving and the technology and coming to realise how clean it is and how powerful it is and how easy it is that you can see the transition is possible."

Which is kind of the point she was hoping to make by taking Bluey around the country. Greg Navarro, CGTN, Calliope.