From Forklifts to the Future: Why My Switch to an MG S5 Just Makes Sense

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My friend Peter Tranter has recently made some big changes in life, moving from a medium sized property to a retirement village and also purchasing an MG S5 electric SUV. CleanTechnica readers were introduced to the MG S5 8 months ago here. I asked him if I could share his story:

“After three laps around Australia in a General Motors Holden Colorado 4×4 towing a caravan, and years maintaining a small acreage in Gayndah, Queensland, I knew it was time for a change. Moving into a retirement village 300 km from Brisbane meant simplifying life—and that included what was in the driveway.

What about cross shopping? Did you check out many cars?

“I didn’t spend weeks test-driving every brand on the market. When I saw the MG S5, I knew it was the right fit. Between the 10-year warranty (battery included) and the ease of getting in and out of the vehicle, the decision was made.”

The Choice: MG S5 RWD Excite (62kWh battery)

“I knew what I wanted. I headed to Ross Gray MG in Bundaberg and picked up the MG S5 RWD Excite with the 62kWh battery for $45,000. The Sales Manager, Matthew Lee, was top-notch. No question was too hard for him. Coming from a lifetime of diesels and manual gears, there was a bit of a learning curve with the new tech. I popped back in a couple of times to see him face-to-face, and he solved every ‘how-to’ issue on the spot.”

Peter Pointed Out: “It’s Not ‘New’ Tech—It’s Reliable Tech.”

“People often treat electric vehicles (EVs) like they are some mysterious, futuristic experiment. But for me, it felt like coming home. I spent a good part of my life as a store person, and electric machinery—forklifts and stock pickers—was my bread and butter.

“I knew then what I know now: electric motors are reliable, they have fewer moving parts to break, and they have ‘instant’ power. Transitioning from the lag of a diesel turbo to the S5 is a revelation. You push the pedal and it’s just go, go, go. It is so damn easy to drive.”

The Focus on Comfort

“My old Ford Focus sedan had become a literal pain. Getting out of it was a struggle because it sat so low to the ground. The MG S5, however, is at that ‘perfect height.’ No climbing up like the Colorado (which I’m keeping for now), and no crawling out like the Focus. You just slide in and drive.”

Winning Over the House

“My wife, Ann, was the toughest critic. She wouldn’t even go for a test drive at the start. But the S5’s practicality won her over. Now, she’s constantly nipping out to the shops or meeting friends.

“The technology has given her a new level of driving confidence. Between the crystal-clear reversing camera and the warning sounds that alert her if anything is moving into her space, she feels totally secure. It’s taken the ‘stress’ out of driving.”

Regional Living & The Big Picture

“Living 300 km from Brisbane in a retirement complex does require some thought regarding charging, but the transition has been seamless. The Queensland Government ‘Electric Super Highway’ makes the trip to the city easy, and the 10-year warranty means I don’t have to worry about the ‘what-ifs.’

“Moving from the acreage in Gayndah was the right move at the right time. And while the Colorado sits in the garage as a reminder of our big adventures, the MG S5 is the car that makes every day—and every drive—an absolute pleasure.”

I asked Peter to share a bit of his background, prior to warehousing. Your background—from the British Army in West Germany to 4x4ing up the Cape, and then decades in a warehouse—makes you the perfect person to explain why an EV isn’t just “tech,” but a better tool for the job. It is a remarkable story of transition.

“From the British Army to the MG S5: My New EV is a Pure Joy to Drive.”

Peter expanded on this thought:

“Over my lifetime, I’ve sat behind the wheel of just about everything. While serving in the British Army, I drove across the UK, Belgium, and what was then West Germany. Since moving to Queensland 50 years ago, I’ve tackled the extremes of the Australian landscape—from the soft sands of our beautiful beaches to the brutal, corrugated tracks leading up to The Cape.” That’s Cape York — the northernmost point of Queensland.

“For the last few years, our ‘Big Lap’ workhorse was a Holden Colorado 4×4, towing a caravan three times around Australia. But recently, as we traded our small acreage in Gayndah for a more relaxed life in a retirement village, I decided it was time for one more mission: going electric.”

The Best of Both Worlds

“I’ve decided to keep the Colorado for now—old habits die hard, and it’s a great backup. But for our new chapter, the MG S5 is the clear favourite. After 50 years of driving Queensland’s toughest roads, I’ve finally found a car that is pure, simple joy.”

I asked Peter if there were any issues with charging at his home complex.

He told me that although there is no public charger in the village, he is using a granny charger and has a 15 amp outlet in his garage. He is looking at getting a charger that ups the kWh installed in the future. Although there is only one other battery electric car in the village, a few residents own electric mobility scooters.

“These scooters, sometimes called goffers, are used to go shopping and to the local footy club. I know of one couple who has one that carries them. Both go out nearly everyday to Bundaberg and surrounding areas. Bundy town centre is over 6 km away. Some can travel over 50 km plus in a day.” All the more need for charging infrastructure, I thought.

The village also has a 6 six-seat electric people carrier. Peter and Ann have had positive reactions from their children and grandchildren, two of whom will be visiting soon and “putting their hands up to chauffeur grandma around.”

Thank you for sharing your life transition with us, Peter. In retirement, the future is bright and electric.