I just checked my diary and I'm off to a public forum tonight called "Will My Next Car Be Electric?". It will have speakers from the renewables lobby and our local (ACT) government (which apparently has a group dealing with transition issues!). If I get the chance, I'll ask about public recharging infrastructure, hydrogen alternatives and roads funding and report back here.
In theory, the ACT is already on 100% renewable electricity (basically because our wholesalers are compelled to buy renewable-sourced electricity from the grid and we do have some big solar and wind farms). Weirdly (if you believe the nay sayers), our electricity is cheaper than every State (but very close to Qld prices). The accounting on this boggles my mind.
Well, it was an interesting talk but not exactly what I had expected - mostly about how far and fast the Europeans are moving (and how far we are behind).
One speaker reviewed the Euro scene in terms of the plans of the major manufacturers (VW, Audi, Renault and Mercedes) and how the Governments, power companies and ancillary industries are working with them. Key highlights for me were:
Big focus on cars as mobile batteries - charging at depots/work places during the day and discharging at homes at night.
Lots of associated businesses - charging network providers, ICE conversion companies (!), battery recycling/repurposing - are considered part of the industry and have the backing of the manufacturers.
Battery life is seen as challenge, but not one they are overly worried about as they say "exhausted" car batteries can (and already are) being repurposed for conventional energy storage (Renault does this). They also accept that batteries will get better year-on-year. Most manufacturers build their cars around "drop in" batteries anyway.
Of the car companies discussed, only Merc expects to be making ICE cars (petrol, NOT diesel) in 15 years time (Merc says about 30% of their output will still be high tech (very low emission) petrol engines.
Germany expects that electric cars will start to put pressure on the (European) grid by 2026. The gap will be filled by renewables.
Australia will continue to receive very few new European EVs over the next three years as 1) their priority is reaching critical mass in Europe for infrastructure reasons, 2) battery supply constraints, 3) majors need to maintain car sales when the new Euro emission standards come into force, and 4) Australia's side air bag requirements are a PIA.
The rest of the talk was about the measures the ACT Government is taking to promote uptake of EVs (and Hydrogen). I'll summarise briefly:
No sales tax and a 20% discount on registration (already in place)
More than 30 free public charging stations (55 charge points) already operating (plus one Hydrogen refuelling station)
Govt working with regional councils along major highways to ensure lots of charging points.
All ACT Government fleet cars to be zero emissions by the end of 2020. Bus fleet to follow. (EV Ambulances and a fire truck are being trialled)
Looking towards other incentives for private uptake and review of development rules for new unit blocks to have charging stations.
I asked about the replacement of fuel excise as a revenue source (a very Canberra question). Local Govt people were aware of this as a long-term issue but think the national uptake will be so slow that it won't become an issue for around 10 years.
Other matters raised included that fact the Australia currently sees 23 models of commercial EVs - Europeans have a choice of 125. The fact that we have no have national strategy and are unlikely to have one anytime soon was highlighted (but that's just Canberra Bubble talk!).
Tea, coffee and mint slice biscuits were provided. I indulged.