This webinar was held on 3 March 2021 and provided a panel discussion with industry professionals, discussing the government’s role in providing incentives to accelerate the uptake of low emission vehicles. The session was moderated by Laura Aston (Monash University).

A huge round of thanks to our panellists Steve Connors, Ange Anczewska, Dr Alina Dini, Tim Washington, Michael Li and Adrian Dwyer for the robust and informative discussion on government’s role in providing incentives to accelerate the uptake of low emission vehicles.

The panel discussed a range of opportunities in Australia – from capitalising on local government and corporate fleets’ ability to deliver low emission vehicles at a lower price point as they go out to the public market; to the power of education and trial schemes in managing the perceived unattainability of low emission vehicles, including range anxiety and lack of charging infrastructure.

Emphasis was placed on the federal and state government’s role in providing a WoG approach and clear direction to private industry, local government and the community; as well as the importance of moving beyond investment in vehicles alone, and towards training, development of strategic policy and associated subsidies that dictate the supply chain and have the power to transform the market.

While it was noted that lack of past investment in low emission vehicles in Australia has caused a lag behind international counterparts, there can actually be fewer barriers when it comes to provision of supporting infrastructure – for example, Australia does not require extensive build out of parking infrastructure, like Asia and Europe, given 70% of Australians have access to off-street parking and can charge at home.

If you missed our webinar or would like to revisit, the link to the recording is below for your viewing:

 

 

 

Steve Connors
Principal Advisor, Infrastructure Victoria

Steve Connors is a Project Director at Infrastructure Victoria. With over a decade of public and private sector experience, Steve joined Infrastructure Victoria in early 2018 as the lead author of Infrastructure Victoria’s advice on the state’s infrastructure needs for introducing automated and zero emissions vehicles. Steve is currently Infrastructure Victoria’s subject matter lead on zero emissions vehicles uptake as part Infrastructure Victoria’s work on updating the 30-year Infrastructure Strategy for Victoria.

 

Angé Anczewska
General Manager, International Association of Public Transport (UITP)

Following the completion of a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree in USA, Angé migrated to Australia and began work with a harm-prevention charity focussed on level crossing safety and trauma prevention. Angé is currently using her talents to develop capacity and increase cross-jurisdictional engagement in the ANZ public transport industry as the General Manager for the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Australia New Zealand.

 

Dr Alina Dini
Founder and CEO, Whirl

Dr Alina Dini is captivated by renewable energy innovation and how it can build long term financial and climate resilience. As Founder and CEO of Whirl, a peer-based digital marketplace re-imagining the shopping experience for energy technologies like electric cars, Alina brings a human element into technology topics and works with everyday people, businesses, and communities to help them harness energy innovations.

 

Tim Washington
Co-founder, JET Charge

Tim Washington is the co-founder of JET Charge, Australia’s largest EV charging infrastructure business and Chargefox, Australia’s largest EV Charging network. Tim is Chair of the Electric Vehicle Council, the peak body for the electric vehicle industry in Australia

 

Michael Li
Senior Project Manager, ClimateWorks Australia

Michael manages projects with a focus on reducing carbon emissions from cities, encompassing buildings, infrastructure, transport and energy sectors. Michael has strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills with a proven track record in translating research into sustainability advice for business and government.

 

Adrian Dwyer
CEO, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia

Adrian Dwyer is the Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia – the nation’s leading public and private sector infrastructure think tank. Adrian’s career spans business, policy and public service roles across the private sector and the NSW and Australian governments – with expertise across transport, utilities and social infrastructure markets, and wider public administration.