Over the past month, we've delved into the issue of transport emissions and the significant contribution of road emissions and passenger travel to Australia's carbon footprint. Both the Australian Government and the International Energy Agency highlight the difficulty of reducing emissions in shipping and aviation, which makes focusing on road transport for near-term climate action all the more critical. As we explored in our previous post, road transport accounts for the majority of transport emissions.
However, something doesn't quite add up when the sole focus is on rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) and investing in charging infrastructure, including hydrogen highways (?!). If we simply replace all internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with EVs (or other alternative fuel vehicles like hydrogen or biodiesel) while perpetuating the notion that everyone needs to drive, we will continue to exacerbate the issues our planet is facing.
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Let's be clear: no car is carbon-free. Transitioning to EVs would undoubtedly improve air quality by eliminating tailpipe emissions, which is of utmost importance for those of us with loved ones who suffer from conditions like asthma. It would also reduce carbon emissions in countries with high rates of car ownership, like Australia and the United States.
However, the process of extracting minerals and metals, manufacturing vehicles, disrupting landscapes for roads and charging infrastructure, and dealing with recycling and end-of-life challenges would perpetuate the destruction of nature. In a world where we urgently need more natural carbon sinks, we should be prioritizing their preservation and look for smaller physical (not just carbon) footprint transport options. We must respond in a way that goes beyond simply replacing individual car ownership with alternative fuel vehicles and standards in high-income countries. We need to shift towards greater reliance on public transport, cycling, walking, and shared infrastructure for travel.
I must admit, there's some hypocrisy in my commentary. I find myself driving my ICE car almost every day. However, what I've learned through this exploration of transport is how deeply our options are shaped by societal structures. When it came to adopting a lower-carbon diet, alternative options to beef and lamb were readily available. Composting became a habit, and giving up new clothes purchases turned out to be easier than anticipated thanks to nearby op shops. Reducing electricity consumption? Sure, no problem. Avoiding palm oil? It's not always easy to identify, but I'm getting there. But when it comes to transport, it's a real challenge without impacting many other aspects of my life, like time and convenience, which are crucial for school and workdays.
Just last week, I flew to Sydney for work, emitting a whopping 0.9 tonne of CO2e (equivalent to our home/school/work commute three days a week for a year). Before the trip, I was dogsitting for my mum, who lives in a neighboring suburb, and the public transport options compared to where I live were less convenient and required more walking between modes of transport. The perceived inconvenience of walking an extra kilometer each way with a heavy laptop bag, the potential for rain, or walking after dark made it a less appealing choice.
To truly reduce road emissions, we need to invest in more accessible, safe, and affordable public transport options that encourage the transition from individual car use and ownership to shared infrastructure. This is where we can make a real difference in road transport. To have a chance of meeting the Paris Agreement targets, we must halve our individual driving distance per year and shift towards walking, cycling, and increased use of public transport by 2030.
Since passenger transport on roads far outweighs freight, our government spending and policies would be well placed to prioritize getting people onto public transport and then focusing on electrifying freight. Rather than incentivizing individual electric car ownership, we should heed Aviva Chomsky's words from her book, "Is Science Enough?" – "two tonnes of metal to transport a one to two-hundred-pound person from one place to another just doesn't make sense."
Let's advocate for a transport system that prioritizes shared infrastructure, accessible public transport, and sustainable modes of travel. To see more investment in public transport, we need to actively use it. It is through increased ridership that governments are compelled to allocate funds for expanding routes, enhancing frequency, and investing in other public infrastructure projects. A conscious effort to embrace public transport, can pave the way for a future where sustainable and accessible public transport becomes the norm, leading us towards a greener and more connected world.
Um ok, off the soap box now. Given I will still be heavy into driving a vehicle for the foreseeable next few years I will do my best to advocate for better public transport but still need to find another way to reduce my SUV emissions.
OK Mid Green - are you buying an EV or not?
It's a yes - we'll order at end of month. I recapped some of my EV criteria and experiences in the last post but giving you the low down now on my shortlist.
Reasons to buy an EV for us:
You know, switching to a more eco-friendly option than my current car sounds like a smart move. My current vehicle is getting up there in age, and its emissions are on the higher side, adhering to the Euro 4 standard. Plus, the maintenance bills are starting to pile up, making it clear that it's time for a change.
In the foreseeable future, I'll still need to drive to drop the kids off at school and commute to work for the next 3-4 years. But there's a silver lining! Once the kids are old enough to catch the bus on their own, I can finally hop on more public transport too, reducing our carbon footprint even further. It's all about taking small steps towards a greener lifestyle, and every little change counts. So, the plan is set: find a better, more sustainable option for my daily drives, and get ready to embrace the benefits of public transport in the near future!
Our criteria:
Decent boot or storage space - to fit shopping, guitar / instruments, sports gear and the like.
Decent back seat - big enough for teens
Under the $70k 'ZEV rebate' limit - to be eligible for WA's $3.5k EV incentive
Reasonable range - although we'll mainly be city driving, I want some range to get down south comfortably in one charge, so minimum 400km.
Reasons to buy a Tesla:
Tesla has earned its reputation as a leader in the EV industry due to its commitment to innovation, cutting-edge technology, extensive Supercharger network, appealing design, and ongoing updates, giving it a competitive edge in the EV market.
Tesla's brand recognition and early entry into the EV market have given it a competitive edge in terms of consumer trust and loyalty. Continuous improvements and regular over-the-air updates provide drivers with ongoing enhancements and new features, creating a seamless user experience.
We went to test drive the Tesla 3 first, to see if it was too small for growing kids in the back (). It wasn't too small on space, but I did find it low to drive (after the SUV). Their customer service was seamless and it was super easy to book in a test drive and get any information I wanted. We sat in the Tesla Y in the showroom - its pretty hard to beat the spaciousness in the Y compared to other EV's in this price range - $72,609 with no fancy add-ons.
Reasons to buy a BYD Atto 3:
We stumbled upon some fantastic reviews of the BYD Atto 3, and it seems like a great option for a smaller urban electric vehicle that won't break the bank, starting at $56,140 for the long-range version.
Getting a test drive turned out to be painful. You nominate a date and time online and someone 'will get back to you'. Apparently. In the end I just rocked up to the showroom to go and have a chat about the car but this certainly didn't convince me of a robust and seamless customer service process should I have problems down the track. Even small business owners have worked out how to have an online booking system so feels like a real missed opportunity.
It still offers enough space in the back and boot, which is essential for our family. However, the styling inside is a bit... well, crazy! The salesperson described it as funky, and I must admit, it's quite unique with those weird guitar strings on the door that our little Mr. 8 couldn't resist plucking. While the interior has lots of knobs and cool gadgety features, I can't help but worry about their durability. It doesn't come across as a slick finish over all, though at size to price point I can understand its award for best value EV in 2022.
Reasons to buy a Polestar 2:
Also coming up with the good reviews, we went out to try the Polestar. Online booking system - tick! Customer service - ok, it was no Tesla experience and much more of a traditional let me look you up and down car yard vibe.
I actually loved the look of these though. Sleek, stylish and very comfortable. The kids did not like the Polestar and said it felt like it had less room, this puzzled me as I thought it was very roomy and beautiful finishings. The standard would set you back around $76,785 drive away but the ordering process is a little different to the others - lots of extras and add-ons to choose from. The standard range is already 495-532km so that's pretty decent without paying up to the extended range (and keeps the dutiable value just under $70k at $69.9k - that's close!).
Verdict
I want the Tesla Y or the sleek Polestar but they are just a little out of the affordable range for us right now. For the price the BYD Atto would make the most sense but the gimmicky interior doesn't feel polished and for a new product, I'm just not comfortable with it.
It looks like the Tesla 3 will be the go for us. $59.2k dutiable value and $64k drive away. It will probably take getting used to controlling by the infotainment screen but the rest of the experience I'm already looking forward to. I've chosen not to add on the enhanced autopilot or self-driving - just that one feature is the same price as the car I've been driving for the last 5 years! Maybe one day we'll save up for them or the cost will come down.
I have run my numbers several times - I just needed to get comfortable that I could afford the car payments alongside another few rate rises for the mortgage. So that's that, decision made!
Interesting stuff:
Want to join voices for a stronger fuel efficiency standard for Australia? Or to encourage Corporate Australia to electrify it's fleet? Click here.
Want to know whether your car is one of the high emitters like mine? Check out the Government's green vehicle page which 'provides data and tools to help you understand a vehicle's environmental impact.'
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