The federal government’s tough decisions could see Australia replace its fossil fuel technology with electric cars powered by renewable, clean energy within years, according to the Jamison Report.

The report is a road map for alternative fuels, which aims to end our dependence on oil.

NRMA established the Jamison Group following our Alternative Fuel Summit in 2006. It comprises four eminent scholars in the fields of energy and transport.

In the past four years, Australia’s dependence on foreign oil has grown by 30 per cent. If nothing is done, by 2015 the nation will have an oil trade deficit of $25 billion, putting enormous inflationary pressures on the economy and further damaging the environment.

When it comes to making the hard choices necessary to end our dependence on oil, Australian governments have been idle – but it’s not too late.

If anything, Australia is in an ideal position.

We do not need to discover any new renewable energy sources or invent any new technologies – much of it has already been done for us.

What is needed now is to wean Australia off its oil dependence and secure a greener, cheaper and less volatile transport energy future.

Click here to learn more about the Jamison Report and how NRMA will lobby its recommendations to governments.

Alan Evans President

Open Road September/October 2008