New national body to drive uptake of electric vehicles in Australia

A new industry-led national body that aims to drive the uptake of electric vehicles (EV) in Australia has been launched in Canberra. A total of 17 organisations, including non-profit organisation ClimateWorks Australia, Tesla, Audi, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, infrastructure firm JET charge and the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria have joined the Electric Vehicle Council.
June 2, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

A new industry-led national body that aims to drive the uptake of electric vehicles (EV) in Australia has been launched in Canberra.

A total of 17 organisations, including non-profit organisation ClimateWorks Australia, 8534 Tesla, 2125 Audi, 1731 BMW, 7998 Jaguar Land Rover, infrastructure firm JET charge and the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria have joined the Electric Vehicle Council.

Minister for Energy and Environment, Josh Frydenberg, who attended the launch, announced a US$288,000 (AU$390,000) grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to support the uptake of electric vehicles in Australia.

The Electric Vehicle Council’s chair, Behyad Jafari, said the market for electric vehicles includes significant opportunities to deliver economic investment, innovation and environmental sustainability.

The Council plans to focus on addressing the barriers preventing the mass uptake of EVs in Australia. In addition to introducing vehicle emission standards, key policy measures include incentivising electric vehicle purchase in the short term as the technology works to meet price parity through upfront incentives and taxation measures, as well as establishing a recommended roadmap for national public charging infrastructure.

Related Content

  • February 2, 2012
    Economic stimulus and investment in ITS solutions
    Scott Belcher, President and CEO of ITS America looks at the year ahead
    Read More
  • January 23, 2017
    New Zealand funds projects to stimulate EV uptake
    A total of 15 projects have been conditionally approved to receive around US$2.5 million (NZ$3.5 million) from New Zealand’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund. Projects include the use of 100 per cent electric delivery vans, a car share scheme using electric vehicles, an electric taxi fleet trial, two electric bus trials, seven charging infrastructure projects and the establishment of a facility to convert heavy vehicles to electric power. These projects aim to help accelerate the uptake of EVs t
    Read More
  • October 24, 2017
    Lauchlan McIntosh to receive The Max Lay Lifetime Award at ITS Australia National Awards 2017
    Lauchlan McIntosh, member of the Order of Australia (AM), will receive The Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s ITS Australia National Awards ceremony, held at The Pavillion Arts Centre Melbourne, 23 November 2017. ITS Australia president Brian Negus announced that McIntosh has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to improving the safety and mobility of the community. The industry nominated award is named after Dr Max Lay AM, who is a globally recognised pioneer and leader
    Read More
  • May 30, 2013
    Investment in transport systems a powerful driver of long-term growth
    According to a new OECD report, boosting private sector investment in sustainable transport infrastructure will be essential as governments seek to meet long-term economic and environmental objectives at a time of constrained public finances. Mobilising Private Investment in Sustainable Transport: The Case of Land-Based Passenger Transport Infrastructure points out that investment in transport systems is a powerful driver of long-term growth. It also notes, however, that the transport sector is the second l
    Read More

Highlighted Content