Plugged In: Australia fiddles while Niro burns, big news on EV orders and batteries

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 saw some good news for EV owners with the launch, finally of the Kia Niro in Australia, some more resistance from the Coalition party on the electric vehicle revoltion, exciting charging news for EVs, and a review from an 80 year old couple who decided to road trip and camp in their Tesla Model 3.

Kia launches electric Niro in Australia, along with hybrid options

After a year delay, Kia brings three new options for its popular Niro to Australia. The options are designed to appeal to drivers who are of the misunderstanding perpetuated on Monday by energy minister Angus Taylor that anyone living outside the inner city will need an equally large battery.

Nexport takes order for 3,000 electric vehicles for ride sharing in Australia

Nexport, which launched a “direct-to-consumer” deal with China EV maker BYD, has made the biggest EV order to date in Australia.

Angus Taylor: “I’m not driving an electric car”

Federal energy and emissions reduction minister unveiled a $2.3 billion subsidy package for Australian fuel refineries designed to keep the refineries open for at least the next decade, while publically commenting that  he will not drive an electric vehicle, telling a radio interview on Monday that he requires a large fossil-fuelled SUV to cover the large distances he travels each year. Meanwhile, in the US, Joe Biden drove a Ford electric ute and got very excited.

We’re in our 80s, and took our Tesla on an electric road and camping trip

80 year old Australian couple Roger and Annabel documented their road and camping trip from NSW to QLD in a Tesla Model 3.

Deakin Uni says new lithium sulphur battery may deliver 1,000km EV range

Researches at Deakin Univeristy have teamed up with Australian start-up to develop a reveolutionary new lithium sulphur battery which could potentially charge EVs with a range of up to 1,000 kilometres, and so far the results are promising.

Australia urged to focus on EVs to boost fuel security and slash emissions

Emerging analysis reveals Australia needs to continue to increase the uptake of EVs and make the switch to clean transport, as emissions from the transport sector could soon overtake electricity generation by the end of the decade.

Brisbane’s GMG says new aluminium battery can charge 20 to 60 times faster

Brisbane’s own Graphene Manufactoring Group announces new exciting aluminuin battery that can charge as much as 60-times faster than the best lithium-ion batteries,are also longer-lasting and much safer, with a lower environmental impact than traditional batteries.

Coalition to spend $2.3 billion to ensure Australians keep driving petrol cars

Another dissapointing announcement from The coalition party shows it’s lack of interest in the clean transport and energy revolution, with plans to potentially lock Australia into fossil fuels for the next decade.

IEA says all new cars must be electric by 2035. Will Australia do it?

International Energy Agency shares new report identifying key milestones that must be reached for the world to be on track to net zero emissions by 2050, and a global heating limit of 1.5°C.