Plugged In: New models coming. Tasmania EV-ready, RACQ adds mobile EV chargers

Plugged In is The Driven’s weekly wrap up of what happened over the past week in the local EV industry and community.

This week, Australian Greens introduced a federal bill that could block state EV road user charges, Tasmania opened its electric car charging network and RACQ added mobile EV chargers to three tow trucks.

Tasmania opens Electric Highway fast-charging network, paving way for EV rentals

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein officially opens state-wide fast and ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging network capable of ensuring mid-range EVs can travel almost anywhere across the state where there is a bitumen road.

Controversial state EV taxes could be blocked at federal level

The federal Greens have written a law that would penalise states for taxing EV owners, describing such moves as a “terrible idea.”

RACQ equips new tow trucks with electric car chargers

RACQ adds mobile electric vehicle chargers to three new tow trucks to get flat EV batteries back up and running.

New sighting of Hyundai Ioniq 5 testing at Tritium Brisbane headquarters

New images of Hyundai Ioniq 5 show it charging at a 75kW EV charger at Tritium’s headquarters in Brisbane.

Mercedes-Benz adds all electric compact SUV to Australian line up

Mercedes-Benz adds all-electric EQA compact SUV to Australian line-up to join EQS which was introduced in late 2019.

All-electric Volvo XC Recharge confirmed for Australia in mid-2021

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will launch in August, Volvo’s Australian arm has confirmed.

MG plug-in hybrid SUV to arrive in Australian dealerships in March

A plug-in hybrid version of MG’s HS SUV will hit dealerships in March, the Chinese-owned brand has confirmed.

Fortescue rolls out autonomous light vehicles at W.A. mining hub

Australian metals and mining company rolls out four modified Ford Rangers, retrofitted with on-board vehicle automation systems in Western Australia.

Wesfarmers invests $1 billion into Australian lithium project for EV batteries

Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers commits $A1 billion for the lithium project which is expected to produce 50,000 tonnes per annum of battery-grade lithium hydroxide.

Bridie Schmidt

Bridie Schmidt is lead reporter 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 3 and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.