Some interesting commentary in todays AFR on yesterday's EV announcements by the NSW government.
https://www.copyright link/companies/energy/tritium-ceo-says-flood-of-ev-buyers-will-come-across-border-20210620-p582k6
Apologies for this article being behind a paywall.
Particularly interesting in the context of this thread is the second half of the article, where the announcements on EV rebates, stamp duty relief and government car fleet and charging infrastructure investment are considered in terms of the wider implication on the transition to renewable energy... the two go hand in hand.
Some noteworthy comments:
Graeme Hunt, the interim chief executive of AGL Energy, Australia’s largest energy retailer and generator, said the NSW government’s plan would help more motorists make the switch to electric vehicles.
He said electric vehicles would play an important role in achieving the energy transition, providing new job opportunities and helping to meet the NSW government’s target of net zero emissions by 2050.
It is not only important to note that the link between the EV transition and the energy transition as well as the job opportunity this will bring is recognised, but by whom it is recognised in the above.
VW Australia managing director Michael Bartsch also made some salient observations:
German car company Volkswagen is still concerned about the slow pace of policy reform in Australia around electric vehicle take-up, even though its local managing director, Michael Bartsch, praised the NSW government’s strategy.
“The Berejiklian government has shown its federal colleagues and its counterpart in Victoria the way to bring about mass ownership of affordable electric vehicles,” Mr Bartsch said.
But he said significant barriers remained before Australia could emulate European countries, where the demand for zero and low emission vehicles is starting to exceed supply.
Australian motorists would be down the priority list for new models.
He said the lack of a national commitment to a carbon dioxide target had been a major impediment.
“Europe’s mandatory carbon targets, enforced by severe penalties, will ensure that those markets continue to the first in line for zero emission vehicles,” Mr Bartsch said.
The implications of these comments are ironic. It means that the more people bleat against EVs and the longer we allow our politicians to avoid setting zero emission targets, the more Australia will be left behind the rest of the world in being able to access the latest and the best EVs. This will give additional ammunition to EV sceptics who will then complain about EVs not being able to perform up to ICE car standards... a vicious cycle.
... and finally:
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said the direction set by the NSW government “has the capacity to kick start serious EV penetration into Australia”.
Sounds like everyone gets it - especially the conservative NSW government...
except, our federal politicians.
