My car has been used for more than ten years, and I use it every day, so that is the time to consider getting a replacement. A new car is always more reliable and safe. Now, Electric Cars are starting to have more options. In addition, the Queensland government will start to provide a 3,000 subsidy for Electric Cars priced below $58,000 in July. I’ve thought about switching to Electric Cars again.
As far as I’m concerned, changing Electric Cars is just a matter of economics. The cheapest trams cost 40,000 dollars to nearly 50,000 dollars, which is more than 10,000 dollars more expensive than the average Japanese car. Even if my solar panel can provide enough electricity for the vehicle, the 10,000 dollars may not be more than the fuel used during the life span of a car. And the government subsidy is only 3,000 dollars, and it must be on the car priced below$ 58,000, and there are not many choices. Generally, the better electric car costs nearly $60,000, and there is no subsidy.
Furthermore, although the tram does not have a gearbox and an internal combustion engine, the structure is relatively simple, and maintenance will be relatively cheap. But it is always a real car, shock absorbers, wheels. These consumables still need to be replaced regularly. So there will be savings in maintenance, but not much.
In addition, the general electric car is heavier than the gasoline car, so it should be more energy-intensive.
Summarizing these economic considerations, I will switch to a general gasoline car.

Yesterday, a storm hit Brisbane. The strong winds and raining lasted about two hours. Moreover, we were living without power for 5 hours. Luckily, we were in my home. I believe if I were outside, that could be ten times more worse! That is because I went out for jogging in the park nearby this afternoon. I found almost all of trees fallen down,  the pathway is full of broken tree branches. The park looks like a “disaster” zone! That was crazy!

Story Bridge, one of Iconic symbols in Brisbane, will be closed for resurfacing from midnight of today(3/1/2014) to 5am 6/1/2014. I guess the traffic near by the closure will be affected, I suggest to use alternative routes. According to Queensland Police website, Clem7 and Go Between Bridge will be free during the period of this closure. We can consider to use them rather than the Story Bridge.

Source:

Queensland Police

During these few weeks, we got some extreme summer days. There were some 30 to 40 degrees hot days. Sometimes, i felt hot even the air conditioning was on. But today,we got some rains. The weather is cooler. Finally ,we got a break from this heatwave.

During Boxing Day, we went to Robina Town Centre for shopping. Because of our Australian customs, most of the shops have Boxing Day sales! Moreover, Robina Town Centre has Myer, David Jones, Dick Smith and JB-HI Fi. Those are the shops we are keen on shopping at. Thus, this was an ideal place for Boxing Day shopping.

We arrived there around 11am. After we exited the highway, there was a traffic jam from the Highway exit to the entrance of shopping center. It was full of cars and was so busy! Moreover, inside the shopping centre, it was filled of people; almost every shop had people lining up in front of its cashier! That was so crazy! Everyone wanted to shop! For myself, I only bought a massage pillow. Well, I did some boxing day shopping too!

This evening, I went to the new Coles in Sunnybank Hills Shopping Town. There is quite huge! I felt very comfortable to do my shopping task. Well, the key part is $5Off Discount!  If you spend $50, then you will get $5 discount! That is cool!

Address
Cnr Calam and Compton Road
Sunnybank Hills
QLD 4109

(Note that: This offer is for this week. In the next week, as I remember, there will be $10 off if you spend $100)