Alex, I hear you
the price they charge for putting lipstick on a pig is shocking. Australia seems to be the new destination for “off-cuts” or “left-overs” of cars with such rudimentary technology that they wouldn’t pass the emissions or safety standards from elsewhere, and then they have the cheek to charge extortionate prices! That we judge a car on its looks and that even utes are tweaked to appeal in that way speaks volumes.
From an electric car point of view, I don’t see the purpose here yet while most of our power is generated from burning coal. I’d only want one if I was able to mostly charge it myself at home with my own solar panels, or another renewable source. This recently became easier with working from home becoming more acceptable, the times when the car being drained by running into the city and back being fewer. Once the more populous states have more renewables it becomes an easier sell.
I’d be waiting for a self-driver too. As a conurbation dweller, the advantages to an amateur astronomer are obvious...to be able to go out somewhere dark for an evening of observing/photography and not have to worry about fatigue during the drive home. That is something I would pay money for.
For the meantime, I’ll be keeping my 7L/100 diesel suv...