By Glen Atwell
CASEY Council’s car fleet will not become a convoy of hybrid models after a council report found the resale value of the new-age models was too volatile.
Instead, 40 of the council’s 44 petrol-guzzling six or eight cylinder vehicles will be progressively replaced with dedicated six-cylinder LPG models by 2010/11.
Casey roads and construction manager Alex Micheli said the range of hybrid vehicles currently available lacked consumer confidence when it came to resale.
“Current resale expectations of four cylinder petrol, diesel and LPG vehicles have a loss of approximately 30 per cent of the original purchase value.
“These fuel type vehicles are reasonably priced and efficient, therefore making these vehicles in demand by the general public as they are made available at auction,” he said.
“However, the benefits of hybrid vehicles are yet to be fully embraced by the community.
“Consequently, this has had a negative impact on the resale value of hybrid vehicles on the Australian market.
“The average loss on sale of a hybrid vehicle at the time of renewal is substantially higher, approximately 50 per cent to 60 per cent,” Mr Micheli said.
Council officers also assessed the feasibility of introducing the new fully electric Hyundai Getz model to the corporate car fleet.
The electric Getz is a dedicated battery powered vehicle which does not require petrol.
But it was scratched off the list because it is limited to travelling 100 kilometres before requiring recharge. Mr Micheli said this did not suit the amount of travel undertaken by council staff.
Councillor Rob Wilson has driven the move to reduce Casey Council’s carbon footprint and rid the corporate fleet of all eight-cylinder models.
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