A Swedish company that makes performance electric vehicles is offering Sunshine Coast residents the opportunity to test drive its latest model.
With electric vehicle demand in Queensland increasing significantly in line with the state’s Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme for electric vehicles, Polestar is offering an opportunity for residents to experience the all-electric Polestar 2 on local roads.
“We’re back at Peregian Beach this year following the successful Noosa EV Expo and Street Festival, which is always well supported by Sunshine Coast residents keen to learn more about electrification and the shift to decarbonise transport,” said Polestar Australia head of marketing Jonathan Williams.
“The Peregian Digital Hub is the ideal location for us to host residents keen to test drive the all-electric Polestar 2 and learn more about making the transition to an electric vehicle.”
It comes as an electric vehicle price battle is emerging, after MG revealed plans to launch the cheapest electric car in Australia days before one of its biggest rivals was expected to do the same.
The Chinese automaker has unexpectedly cut $6000 from the cheapest price for its MG4 electric vehicle, announcing the release of an entry-level model at $38,990.
The vehicle will be the first electric car to launch in Australia for less than $40,000.
The move comes three days before rival BYD had promised to release “the most affordable” electric car in the country and experts say it could have the firm “sharpening their pencil” for more price reductions.
Electric vehicles made up 7.7 per cent of all new cars sold in May, figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show.
Earlier this month the federal government pledged $20 million for a vehicle subscription startup, in a bid to get rideshare drivers behind the wheel of an electric car.
The funding for Splend will allow the company to offer an additional 500 electric vehicles to Australian rideshare drivers this year and accelerate the firm’s expansion beyond Sydney.
The announcement comes one week after Uber launched its electric vehicle service in Australia.
The $20 million investment will be the first from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to target rideshare drivers.
The corporation’s chief executive, Ian Learmonth, said that cohort had the potential to make a significant impact on transport emissions.
Australian drivers typically cover 11,000km in their cars each year, but rideshare drivers average between 50,000 and 60,000km.
“Due to the significant distance that rideshare vehicles travel, transitioning this fleet to EVs marks a significant opportunity to cut transport emissions,” Mr Learmonth said.
“This is an exciting change to the way Australians can enjoy the convenience of rideshare services while having a real impact towards achieving zero emissions in our transport sector.”
Polestar 2 is the first all-electric model in the brand’s portfolio, with pricing starting at $63,900.
Headquartered in Gothenburg, its cars are available online in 27 markets across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The brand launched in Australia 2021.
Test drives will be available until June 25 at 25-255 David Low Way, Peregian Beach. For more information or to book click here.
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