A QUALIFIED PLUG

With the debate about electric cars gaining momentum, I’m sad to report the end of our time with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid.

I was sceptical about the technology and I’m still not convinced about its suitability in Australia.

I also don’t think taxpayers should foot the bill for subsidies or tax breaks to enrich car companies.

We should subject battery-powered cars and the likes of the PHEV (plug-in electric hybrid vehicle) to the litmus test of consumer demand.

There’s also a question mark over the environmental benefit given most of our energy comes from coal-fired power stations. “Go green” is the call but clean energy is far more expensive than fossil fuels.

The Outlander can drive part of a journey on electricity before the battery runs out and the petrol engine takes over.

Pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids have merit for people not far from city centres.

However, they don’t make sense for people who, like me, have on-street parking only and no easy access to a power point.

I also would like to be assured of greater petrol-free driving range before taking the plunge. Mitsubishi promises 50km of electric driving but the best we saw was between 28km and 32km. Still impressive ... but not enough.

The running costs were comparable to petrol. And I genuinely enjoyed the convenience of not having to refuel at service stations as often.

However, I can’t see motorists signing up for plug-in hybrids and electric cars en masse until the cost of the vehicles comes down, the range is double or triple what we get now and it’s easier to recharge.

The tech itself is fascinating and I’m thankful for sampling the ownership experience, for better or worse.

Now, how’s that hydrogen car coming along, Hyundai?