Petrol prices are on the rise again. This month alone, national average petrol prices have hit a 30-month high, and over time they’ll keep rising. As the Easter weekend approaches, Better Place is urging Australian drivers to think about making the switch to electric cars.

“Easter drivers are being caught on the hop yet again. This is one of the biggest driving weekends of the year, and every year people who just want to get away for a few days are held to ransom by high petrol prices”, said Evan Thornley, CEO of Better Place Australia.

“We’re urging every Australian driver who is in the market for a new car in the next 12 to 18 months to hang in there, because electric cars are coming. Drivers should seriously consider making that new car an electric car, because electric cars are faster, quieter, cleaner – and most importantly, cheaper to run”, Mr Thornley said.

“If you’re spending $80 a week on petrol then it would be cheaper for you to run an electric car instead. Once you go electric you free yourself from petrol prices forever.

“Electric cars store their power in a battery pack, which means no petrol costs for their owners. And at Better Place we’re committed to powering our electric car network with 100% renewable energy, so customers can be sure their car isn’t part of the pollution problem. Electric cars don’t even have exhaust pipes!” he said.

Better Place is building infrastructure across Australia to service the growing market for electric cars. The company will begin deploying its extensive charging network in Canberra later this year, with plans to successively extend its national coverage from late 2012.

“Over the next 12 to 18 months more of the major car manufacturers will be bringing medium and large-size cars to our shores. These cars have all the mod cons we’ve come to expect in our family vehicles, with some major differences – they’re faster, quieter, cleaner, and cheaper to run.