The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), a body that represents electric vehicle industry stakeholders in Australia, has announced it is appointing EV researcher Jake Whitehead to the position of Head of Policy for the organisation.
In the new role, Whitehead, who works at the University of Queensland (UQ) in the school of civil engineering and chemical engineering in the role of dedicated e-mobility researcher, will support the EVC with developing policies to encourage the transition to electric vehicles, as well as advance Australia’s innovation in the field.
“Dr Whitehead is a world-leading expert in e-mobility,” said EVC chief Behyad Jafari of the new appointment, adding that Whitehead’s “wealth of expertise” as Tritium E-Mobility Fellow at UQ, a member of the International Electric Vehicle Policy Council, and a Lead-Author of the IPCC Transport Chapter is invaluable.
“As the electric vehicle industry continues to grow in Australia, the Electric Vehicle Council is dedicated to providing its members with the best experts and leaders to support their business journey.
“Jake will support members and the industry lead the development of policies to accelerate Australia’s transition to electric vehicles and advance its innovative domestic industry.”
Whitehead’s posting as Tritium E-Mobility Fellow was accompanied by a $1.5 million donation to UQ from the Trevor and Judith St Baker Family Foundation.
Whitehead is also leading a new world-first trial which will explore how 500 Tesla owners charge their vehicles and the potential for using electric cars to back up excess power from the grid during the day when renewables create spare energy capacity.
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.