Plugged In: New EV incentives, a new V2G trial, and a scaleable charger

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.

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.

Daimler has upgraded AC charging capability of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, which was unveiled in Australia in December 2019, to 11kW. This means it can charger on a wall box over night at home in 7.5 hours instead of the previous 11 hours.