Wheels inbox: A noisy EV annoys + BEV vs Hydrogen FCEV!

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Sounds fishy...

Was watching the latest ad for the Hyundai “EV range’. It was a cool ad, very spacey, with an Ioniq wired up with lights.

Yep, all very cute, but the ad concluded with the last vehicle indicated as a ‘performance vehicle vehicle', driving flashing past. It did sound OK with a light burble tone, but that’s the catch: it was supposed to be an EV. Then I suppose they couldn’t end the ad in silence!

🖊️ Mike Riordan, Campsie, NSW

Anxiety column

When are you going to change the New Car Buyers Guide vacant Resale %
heading to RANGE?

🖊️ John William, Leopold Vic

Gassing station

The 2023 Yearbook edition made for some interesting reading. Realistically there is a long way to play out before a long-term sustainable replacement for ICE vehicle is realised; be it Battery Electric (BEV) or Hydrogen Fuel-Cell (FCEV).

Governments around the world are now seeing the uptake in Battery Electric (BEVs) is resulting in major infrastructure challenges, some of which can never be overcome especially in densely populated city areas.

One being; BEVs require land-intensive charging lots, while FCEVs do not. A single hydrogen station (converted petrol station) can support more than 1,000 FCEV vehicles a day. In addition, FCEVs require fewer scarce and expensive materials, providing a buffer from multiple supply chain risks.

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The Japanese government and industry are heavily promoting hydrogen electrification strategies and subsidies, reflected by ambitious targets of cumulative FCEV sales and hydrogen refuelling stations by 2030.

Additionally, hydrogen features prominently in Japan’s energy and climate policies such as its Strategic Energy Plan. Japan has already established a hydrogen production plant in Victoria with fuel tankers operating weekly to Tokyo.

In addition, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in hydrogen production development industries as they see this as part of their long-term strategy for progressively replacing declining oil demand and revenue.

In the end it will be the industry that gains the most Government investment finances and backing that will win out.

🖊️ Robert Ius, Haberfield, NSW

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General malaise

I was in the newsagent looking at the ‘End of the Line’ issue. I thought “It should read Ford Wins.” I couldn’t buy it. I wanted to, but my heart wouldn’t let me as I just didn’t want to accept Holden was dead.

‘GM Strikes Back’ arrived in my post box and after reading it I’m left thinking General Motors will have limited success at best and not from my money.
I had two thoughts after learning of Holden’s demise at the hands of GM’s axemen.

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Firstly, I’m glad I’m not the Holden dealer that had just spent millions refurbishing its showroom, only to find out it’s over less than 12 months after the refurbishment.

Secondly, I blame GM for Holdens failure. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but companies must react to demand or fail. People in Holden must have said “Hmmmmm.

Toyota is doing well with LandCruiser and HiLux maybe we should develop our own.” We got rebadged Isuzus. Or “Hmmmm this SUV thing looks like a good idea, it saved Porsche!” We got rebadged Opels. Commodore Cross anyone? GM if you won’t invest in us we won’t invest in you.

🖊️ S. Cochrane, Thornlands QLD

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Porsche poser

I’ve got a bit of an issue. It’s a nice one; what you’d probably deem a first world problem, but I thought I’d ask Wheels in any case.

I currently drive a Porsche 911, one of the very first 3.8-litre 991.1 Carrera S coupes and I’m looking to replace it. I had looked at a 992 Carrera as a like-for-like, but the cost to change (about $100k all up) proved prohibitive for what I feel is a similar car with a smaller and less charismatic turbocharged engine.

Extending that line of reasoning, I’m not exactly hanging out for the 992.2 hybrid either. So what would you recommend if you had about $200k to spend and wanted something fun and exciting?

🖊️ David Barnes, Glebe, NSW

Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V

Feels like journalists could just prepare a template for use when reviewing Chinese vehicles and save themselves a lot of time: cheap, presents well, but has poor dynamics and intrusive active safety features. Boom. Done.

🖊️ Nick Whitham, via Facebook

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The Wheels question to you

Would you join the queue for a right-hand drive Tesla Cybertruck?

Want to have your say? Keep it tight (no more than 200 words) and include your suburb if via email: wheels@wheelsmag.com.au. You can also chime in on Facebook & Instagram.