The new exorbitant norm for fuel prices is quickly increasing the demand for cleaner, cheaper vehicles.
One business in Logan saw this day coming sometime ago and created a solution.
Graeme Maneitta is the owner of Oz-DIY Electric Vehicles in Slacks Creek. He retrofits used cars with electric systems, replacing the petrol systems altogether. He also runs workshops teaching people how to do it.
“We take all the petrol gear out – fuel tank, motor, radiator, exhaust system, all that sort of thing – dump it, sell it, and replace it with electric components and batteries,” he said.
He said most cars can get the treatment – and for a fraction of what it costs for a brand new EV.
“A tiny car with a hundred-km range and a tiny DIY kit would cost maybe $16,000, right up to a Rolls Royce that we quoted at $250,000,” he said.
Not many people took him seriously when he began, but that has changed dramatically.
“I’ve got to order my stock six to eight months out,” he said. “Two years ago, I’d order about six weeks out.”
His latest project is a Toyota LandCruiser for a farmer in Western NSW, where diesel prices are unaffordable. When done, the $70,000 retrofit will give the vehicle a 300km range and double the horse power and torque for hauling farm equipment.
“You can’t buy new car like this in the electric format at this time, so conversion is the only way,” Mr Manietta said.
“A brand new vehicle like this with this sort of electric motor and range would be up around $250,000.
“It’s a great choice, the car had just about had it anyway so this is like upgrading the car at the same time.”
Last week, the Queensland government incentivised EV purchases by offering a $3,000 rebate on vehicles costing less than $58,000. While some welcomed the move, others criticised it for excluding most models that are valued above the price cap.
Petrol to electric conversions could play more of a role in easing some issues in local car markets.
Westpoint Autos Springwood general manager Justin Page said the pandemic stalled parts production, while the recent floods dramatically increased demand for new and used vehicles.
“Due to the global shortages, manufacturers have vehicles they can wholesale to other dealers globally that get a higher price,” he said.
“Our expenses haven’t gone down, but the amount of vehicles we’re able to deliver have been slashed by some brands by 80 per cent.”
Mr Page said the worst thing someone can do in this climate is ask for a discount.
“The long term flow on effect will be that dealers will collapse and consumers will suffer long term,” he said.
Rocky Maher from Southside Car Sales at Underwood said the wholesale prices of used cars are becoming unfeasible.
“From one week to another, the wholesaler price is cheaper than the retail price.”
“With stock being almost impossible to find, dealers are battling to find stock and match supply with the demand.”
Mr Maher is selling a 2013 Kia Cerato with 19,000 clicks on it for $18,000, which is now the same price it is going for at wholesale auctions. As a dealer, he cannot afford to raise the retail price because no one would buy it, he said.
“At auction, they were selling it for the same price, and that’s before doing the road-worthy, the service, and final clean – then we have to try to sell it,” he said.
