Australia is obsessed with big cars, and it’s a problem
www.abc.net.au
Australians love big cars, and it's undoing the good work of the shift to more electric and hybrid vehicles.

Australians are driving bigger, heavier, dirtier cars and it’s alarming both climate and road safety experts.

A decade ago, sedans and hatchbacks were the most popular cars in Australia. Today, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and American-style utes dominate new car sales and advertising.

  • naevaTheRat@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    2·
    1 year ago

    Yeah absolutely. This silly car doesn’t even have enough room for a suitcase and the dogs in the back but it’s a good head an shoulders above my dad’s holden station wagon.

    Part of that is the battery sure (maybe the head part) a lot is also ground clearance. I need a bit of ground clearance sure but we used to manage with firm suspension just fine. If it’s shaking the crap out of you just drive slower. No need to tear down lumpy roads at 80 km/h unless you’re actually a farmer.

    We are also talking 2 big greyhounds and 2 six foot people, one with back problems that prevent a more reclined seating position, living in the blue mountains. We’re not your average family. This stuff is marketed to average urbanites who defs need to be able to fit an entire Holiday’s worth of luggage and their whole family on those red pavement roads they take to the school in the morning?

    Surely there’s room for more practical stuff ffs.

    • Echineon
      1·
      1 year ago

      Definitely need bigger boot space I find the front is quite a lot of waste space but decided it’s better than hauling my aged hatchback WRX around with petrol price these days. I learn to live with it but roof rack is a must.

      • naevaTheRat@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        1·
        1 year ago

        Ours has the rack. Unsure on effect on range but I just did sydney to Canberra easily with one stop I needed to take for concentration anyway.

        I’ve never had a roof rack before, where to look for a sturdy one that’s aerodynamic for the car? It’d be good for a holiday

        • Echineon
          1·
          1 year ago

          Our is factory fitted and it shouldn’t matter much in aerodynamic and range wise. Battery consumption would be more related to acceleraion and driving habit. in the city I get 11.7 - 12.5 kWh/100km so yes should be doable for Syd Can trip on an extended range. If you have luggage I would recommend an after market roof tray to make it easier loading unloading. Just finished its first 1000km so no idea how things will be.