As the electric vehicle transition begins to pick up pace in Australia, we have launched a new weekly feature to give you a round up of what’s happened each week in the local EV industry and community.
And there’s a lot happening, regardless of thin support from government to accelerate Australia towards clean, zero emissions transport.
Week ending November 20, 2020
ACT drivers to access free rego and zero interest loans for electric cars
The week got off to a big start with the confirmation that the ACT will give drivers access to a maximum $10,000 zero interest loan and two years free registration for the purchase of a new electric vehicle, making it now the most EV-friendly jurisdiction in Australia.
AGL and ARENA announce first trial using electric vehicles to power homes
Major utility AGL, backed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, announces it will conduct a series of electric vehicle charging trials, including the first to use privately owned EVs to power homes and put energy back into the grid.
Australia’s Tritium launches a world-first scalable and modular EV charging platform
Brisbane-based Tritium launches modular electric vehicle charging platform that will enable sites to scale up charging rates as demand grows, and it’s such big news it even gets a mention in Reuters.
A real pleasure dropping by tonight to support world leading Brisbane based Electric Vehicle charging manufacturers @TritiumCharging on their brilliant new model that will revolutionise charging across the world ????????⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/B2rfyToKg7
— Mark Bailey MP (@MarkBaileyMP) November 17, 2020
Australian lithium company Ioneer and Piedmont Lithium join Tesla and Uber in US zero emissions transport coalition
The new Zero Emissions Transport Association (ZETA) will push for 100% of all new cars sales in the US to be electric by 2030.
Hyundai turns to new battery supplier in light of Kona EV battery fires
It appears that Hyundai will source batteries from a new company, SK Innovation, after Kona Electrics with LG Chem batteries were recalled by the company. Although LG Chem denies its batteries are the cause of a spat of fires, it is understood that 796 Kona Electrics sold in Australia were fitted with LG Chem batteries.
Micromobility start-up Zoomo says its new e-bike subscription is cheaper – and cleaner – than taking public transport
Micromobility start-up Zoomo launches its first e-bike subscription, promising a transport solution that’s cheaper and cleaner than taking a train, bus, or tram.
Mercedes-Benz EQC gets 11kW charging upgrade
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.