The first ever Australian EV Conference was held in Brisbane on Wed Nov 11. I was
fortunate enough to be the opening speaker and I wanted to summarise proceedings for you
all.
The conference agenda is attached, as is my presentation. Other presentations will become
available online – I will distribute once they’re ready.
EV Conference Themes
There were some recurring themes in the presentations and discussion:
1) Need for EV policies and incentives – I was echoed by many that Australia is an EV
policy vacuum, with no clear incentives for the technology, and that market uptake
will be strangled by constrained OEM EV supply. Both Renault and Mitsubishi
lamented that they are failing to get a quota of EVs allocated to Oz from their parent
companies. Renault was very clear in noting that they have NO specific plans to
bring EV products to Australia at this time, but that could change if the Australian
landscape improves. Mitsubishi is hoping to bring a few iMiEVs to Oz, but my take is
that numbers will be limited in the 10’s-100’s at most. I expect these cars will go to
govt programs in NSW, VIC and SA. Mitsubishi also noted they had far too much
trouble obtaining ONE iMiEV for their roadshow and ADR compliance earlier this
year. WA govt has lamented to me that they have tried and failed to engage with
Mitsubishi. Note that both Nissan and Better Place were not present at the
conference. Coincidentally, Fed Minister Kim Carr visited Blade Electric Vehicles in
VIC on the same day as the conference. Perhaps the Feds are finally gaining some
awareness...
2) Uncertain grid impacts – I suggested that Oz utilities were generally unfamiliar with
EVs, and this was publicly endorsed by the QLD utilities present (Ergon and
Energex). There is clearly much stakeholder uncertainty about whether EVs will be
an asset or liability for the grid. Also much uncertainty around the magnitude and
urgency of the problem, depending on Oz market uptake. Far more technical and
economic forecast modelling is needed. Everybody recognises that Smart Grids will
be key, as well as specific DSM strategies for EV recharging. Utilities identified that
much policy/regulatory change needs to occur to make all this work.
3) Recharging infrastructure – what are the capabilities and standards? – Everyone is
pleased to know that EV infrastructure vendors are already active in the Australian
market, but still much confusion about the capabilities and impacts of different
recharging solutions (e.g. Level 1 vs Level 2 vs Level 3, smart vs dumb). Both private
and fleet customers want to understand what degree of mobility is provided by
different infrastructure, and how much it costs to install. Also concern about lack of
Australian standards, and the need to harmonize with US vs. EU standards for Oz.
This decision lies in the hands of Standards Australia who are currently deliberating
over this. Mitsubishi guy told me that Mitsu are going with US standards for the
time being, since that’s what Japan has already adopted.
4) Economics – do EVs add up? – there was significant discussion of total cost-ofownership benefits of EVs, but fleet customers are still very sceptical and want to
see verifiable numbers from real-world experience. Private customers are very
sensitive to high vehicle costs and will require incentives (both monetary and
otherwise). Australia’s lack of incentives will be a problem here.
5) Timing of mass-market EV uptake in Oz – based on all of the above, this is still very
uncertain. This point was echoed by many.
Fortunately, what was clear was that NOBODY was questioning the state of the technology.
Everybody seems to accept that EVs and batteries are ready and coming to market. It’s just
a question of what happens in Australia from this point...
From Curtin’s point of view, it clearly seems we are pushing the right areas:
 #2 – our progress with WA utility stakeholders clearly puts us as a leader in this
area. We need to keep pushing for further utility learning, and maybe some trials
but we need a supply of vehicles to enable this. OEM EVs are as rare as hen’s teeth
in Oz right now. I think Curtin needs to reconsider conversions for its initial projects.
 #1 – we’re building momentum on this topic (with PB), and we are drafting a paper
to stamp our mark on this space. Next step will be to make a lot of noise in
Canberra.
 #4 – my earlier project for NSW Govt is still the most in-depth analysis of EV
economics for Oz, but NSW have not released it. We need to write a paper here
ASAP to get into public domain.
Please note that UWA/CREST are planning to release an EV impacts study by the end of the
year. I expect this to touch on all areas #1-4.
Australian EV Trials
I also gained up-to-date knowledge on the various trials being planned around the country:
QLD – Ergon will be testing recharging and V2G aspects of two evMes provided by
Energetique. This project hasn’t gone very far yet. The vehicles are coming along, but there
are some teething problems on the utility side – particularly in the comms area.
NSW – I’m aware of two Sydney-based trials being planning within next 12 months, but
cannot share any more since I was told in confidence.
VIC – State govt is ramping up its $10M, 4-year trial. The state will not be purchasing
vehicles or infrastructure, but will seek to cost-share with industry partners via PPP. EOI
phase beings in Dec 2009, RFT phase begins in Feb 2010, deployment begins in Jul 2010.
They’re still not sure where they’re going to get vehicles from, but Mitsubishi, Nissan and
Blade will certainly be on the cards. I’m also aware of another smaller, shorter trial being
planned in VIC with a local energy retailer – again in confidence.
SA – SA govt will likely be an early recipient of a few iMiEVs for a SA trial. The trial will be a
partnership with Mitsubishi and UniSA. UniSA has no rights to the vehicles as such, but will
get full access to the data for further analysis. UniSA has two AutoCRC-funded projects to
leverage this: 1) modelling of interaction between smart-charged EVs and smart grids and
home energy management systems, 2) studying applicability of EVs via focus groups and
ride’n’drive type activities. Also, the Adelaide Capital Cities Committee is still toying with the
idea of their own EV trial in Victoria Square. We have achieved trusted advisor status for
this via PB.
WA – An ARC Linkage grant to study EV recharging infrastructure was recently awarded to
UWA/Murdoch/WA DoT. This is separate from the UWA EV conversion trial which has not
got off the ground yet. News from WA DoT is that increased engineering/registration
scrutiny will be applied to UWA’s vehicle conversions, which is a small win for us in the
context of previous battles. Unfortunately, the WA EV Reference Group has ceased to
function due to squabbling. I still think there could be an opportunity for strategic
partnership on EVs between the 3 Unis via CREST, but this would require an investment of
effort at the DVC+ level. Given that WA is unlikely to receive EVs from any other source for
the time being, I don’t think Curtin can afford to dismiss conversions and the UWA project.
CSIRO – their “Electric Driveways” project is moving forward, partnered heavily with UTS.
CSIRO has converted 3 Priuses to PHEV as part of this project. Electric Driveways is focused
on “vehicle-to-home” rather than “vehicle-to-grid”, also looking at home energy
management systems. I have a good relationship with contacts at UTS, but there don’t
appear to be any specific opportunities for collaboration at this point.
That’s all. Any questions, please give me a call.
Andrew
--Dr Andrew Simpson
Senior Research Fellow - Renewable Transport
Curtin University Sustainable Policy (CUSP) Institute
Fremantle, Western Australia
Mob: +61 424 016 248
andrew.simpson@curtin.edu.au
http://sustainability.curtin.edu.au/renewable_transport