Australian Labor Party commits to $500 million in hybrid funding
With a federal election campaign winding up this week in Australia, the leader of the opposition Labor Party repeated his earlier commitment to providing incentives for local development and production of hybrid vehicles. Kevin Rudd has promised to provide up to A$500 million to Australian automakers starting in 2011 if they match it on a three for one basis. Current Prime Minister John Howard is opposed to the plan on the grounds that the government has already provided enough financial support to Ford, Mitsubishi, Holden and Toyota. The car-makers are not publicly commenting on the campaign .
[Source: Wards Auto World]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Domenick 2:54PM (11/22/2007)
Money for hybrids in Australia? There must be an election coming!
http://www.aec.gov.au/
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Grant 9:11PM (11/26/2007)
I'm not really sure throwing a bunch of money at car manufacturers and then telling what to make will entirely work. Giving the consumer an incentive to buy fuel efficient cars through tax breaks would work a lot better. Kevin Rudd is a smart guy but seems to be full of bad ideas.
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Nathan 9:08AM (11/23/2007)
The "Green Car Innovation Fund" which is being discussed here was announced back in March. The money is not specifically for hybrid vehicles, but for "green" cars. This extends to flex-fuel and clean diesel vehicles. If you're after the actual facts and not second hand rumours, you can view the ALP's policy here:
http://www.alp.org.au/media/0307/msCCiiloo150.php
Nathan
Altfuels Australia
http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/
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