Government holding back green cars: BMW

A "complete lack of interest" from Australian political leaders is holding back green car development locally, according to BMW Australia boss Marc Heinrich-Werner.

Electric vehicles such as BMW's i3 and i8 models, the Tesla Model S or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are successful in areas such as Norway, California and London where governments look to subsidise the adoption of green vehicles as a means of promoting progress and reducing emissions.

But Werner says Australia is not headed down that path.

"For the moment, this is not a priority for the government," he says.

"If you look at various markets where governments are actually supporting e-mobility then you can really see the full potential of e-mobility... you see electric vehicles left right and centre.

"[But] there is a complete lack of interest as far as e-mobility is concerned."

Automotive brands in Australia have been meeting for years in hope of finding a joint lobbying strategy that will resonate in Canberra.

But Werner says a push for progress is pointless without political willingness to accept change.  

"As long as there is resistance with the government you are pushing water uphill," he says.

"If the government is really behind it and wants to push it for various political and environmental reasons it can really take off."

To date, electric cars have been most successful in markets that encourage buyers to choose electric vehicles through cash subsidies or tax credits along with other benefits such as the ability to drive in bus or car pool lanes, free parking and reduced registration costs.

The state of California believes it will benefit in the long run from encouraging people to choose green cars, but Werner says that view is not supported among Australian leaders.

"I do understand they are having different priorities," he says.

"I do understand that in other countries e-mobility is sitting very high up on the agenda of politicians, and this has a different priority, that's fine.

"Our strong message is that we have very convincing technology available. We are ready."