Australia is the worst-equipped country for electric vehicles (EVs) and nearly a decade behind the rest of the world on the EVolution.
That summary from a study by British financial services comparison firm GoCompare doesn’t surprise Electric Vehicle Council Australia chief executive Behyad Jafari, who’s had an uphill battle convincing the right people something needs to be done.
His job is to help get Australians plugged in to the electric vehicle revolution.
A visit to the EVworld conference in New Zealand recently aimed to help push this forward.
Jafari admits it is slow progress.
But he sees the EV conversation moving on from “what is it” to “how can we benefit” and “let’s work out the details”.
A background in politics, as well as in the electricity sector, is proving handy for Jafari.
That’s because he sees the drive for change as necessity, coming from the top.
In other words, the federal government, as well as state and territorial governments.
Jafari says a main barrier to EV uptake – and a reason Australia is seven to eight years behind the rest on EVs – is uncertainty through lack of national policies.
Unlike New Zealand, Australia doesn’t yet have a target for EV uptake – something the EVC wants the federal government to set.
“We’re not suggesting a figure as we don’t want to be too prescriptive,” Jafari says.
He agrees the 64,000 EV target by the end of 2021 the New Zealand government has set has helped encourage EV uptake there to the point where Kiwis are ahead of Australia in EV ownership.
Admittedly the EV markets are different in the two countries.
Used imported EVs are popular in New Zealand because of their lower price, due mainly to subsidies provided for them in the main market sources of Japan and the United Kingdom.
In Australia it’s new EVs, which come at a high initial cost.
Jafari says of about 24 EV models available to Australia, 19 are above the A$60,000 mark.
But there’s been some talk of allowing second-hand EVs into Australia under the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles Scheme (SEVS).
And prices for new EVs are widely predicted to fall as more become available.
A lack of policy on EVs in Australia may also be discouraging EV makers from investing there.
Many are choosing to launch in New Zealand first.
“Not many EV models are yet available in Australia,” Jafari says, although he expects that to change next year when a raft of new EVs will be coming from auto makers across the world.
“Tesla is the most popular EV in Australia.”
Jafari says charging infrastructure across Australia needs to improve.
Some states are ahead of others in that regard, such as Queensland’s electric highway.
Work is progressing to fill the gaps, though.
Consumer awareness of the benefits EVs bring is low.
“Many just look at the upfront costs,” Jafari says.
But EVs not only provide savings on fuel and maintenance, they’re also good for your health and the environment, he says.
Many have zero emissions or at least lower carbon dioxide levels, and EVs are being incorporated into industries such as mining to avoid pollution and particulate matter from combustion engine vehicles.
Jafari believes Australia’s political structure with its federal and state governments also makes it harder to get universal action on EV uptake.
Australia has a high proportion of coal and gas-fired power stations, although renewable energy such as solar has seen considerable growth in some areas which is helping lower power prices and promote EV uptake.
In New Zealand, most of the electricity comes from renewable sources.
So is Jafari’s job a bit like butting your head against a brick wall?
“I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating,” he says.
“I came into this job with eyes wide open.”
Jafari says there’s considerable work in getting change though.
“It’s important that we, as an industry, have a collective and sustained effort to keep pushing.”
Jafari has two staff helping him on the EVC, and he’s hoping for two more later this year.
He’s a busy man, addressing events and groups like the Senate Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and even visiting the second EVworld NZ expo in Auckland in August to see what’s on offer and participate in panel discussions.
“New Zealand has always been an example of what we are saying and to show how little it takes and how reasonable it is for a government to say we’re moving in this direction.”
He says the EVC will keep monitoring New Zealand’s EV situation.
Jafari says with access to new markets there is more investment which benefits the economy, and more jobs.
“But some companies are saying ‘why risk spending the money when your country’s not helping’.”
While Jafari sees some road blocks to overcome, he’s confident Australians will see the light and join the EV movement.
Some Australian businesses like SEA Electric are already working in that field and expanding into other countries, he says.
Car sharing services are also moving towards EVs, and Jafari foresees a big change in the transport industry, including buses and eventually trucks.
Welcoming EVtalk Australia’s first monthly magazine, following on from EVtalk Australia’s online presence, Jafari says it’s great to have something for people to turn to for more information on electric vehicles and related matters.
“Having a forum to know what’s going on is important in sharing news and information.”
