Whilst their is still quite important debate regarding the carbon emissions of electric Vs ICE vehicles (and maybe the jury is still out on this), this is not the important issue as I see it.
In Australia, total petroleum imports comprised the majority of energy imports, amounting to almost $42.8 billion. Australia’s fuel security is far more precarious than we might realise. Not only do we not have the internationally mandated 90-day stockpile, but the ongoing closure of Australia’s refineries means we are on track to be 100% reliant on imported petroleum by 2030.
The issue is energy independence for Australia from the mostly Arab oil, that we pay for, in the billions of dollars per annum. Money leaving the country to help fund their particular brand of economic and cultural expansion. Not so important how we generate electricity (and we easily can) - but that it is generated locally, employing Australians and won't be subject to embargo or overseas cartel pricing. Bonus if renewable too!
Also, oil is getting harder to find, trending to be more expensive and most importantly: will not last forever. Electricity can be renewable, nuclear or coal (which we have a lot of), whilst oil is 100% non renewable. Sitting on our hands and saying it is all too hard is not an option.
