A Happy EV New Year.
Welcome to the EVtalk January online magazine where we look at the year ahead for electric vehicles, driverless vehicles and the associated tech.
We ask Queensland transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey about where the “solar state” and Australia generally are heading on such issues.
Critical of the lack of action nationally, Bailey sees this year as milestone in Australia starting to develop a national EV plan and perhaps follow the examples set in Queensland.
The Electric Vehicle Council of Australia’s Behyad Jafari also has a more optimistic view of the EV situation nationally after previously accusing the country of lagging years behind the rest of the world on that front.
He believes Australia is now better prepared, although there’s still work to do.
More co-operation with New Zealand could also see the two countries become more attractive for EV brands and research and development around the related technology.
Jafari and Bailey both agree that more EV models, which combat range anxiety and are perhaps cheaper will get a greater number of Australians on board.
We also take a look at the EVs coming to Australia this year and review the recently launched Hyundai Ioniq.
Latest statistics from December see EVs following a generally gloomy picture for the vehicle industry as a whole, reflective of a “challenging” economy affected by housing prices, money lending and even the weather. Hybrids are actually faring a little better than battery electric vehicles at the moment – but that may change.
Neighbouring New Zealand is close to the 12,000 EV mark, and we check out the New Zealand Government’s policy on its move to zero emissions in our “Across the Ditch” section.
We also take a look at Australia’s move into the hydrogen fuel area and the future that holds for transport.
Plus there’s a story about Rio Tinto trialling autonomous Scania trucks, our charging map and more to keep you up with the play in the EV space.
Enjoy your EV read.
