#42: In conversation with Samantha Johnson, Managing Director, Polestar Automotive Australia

In this episode of the EV Brief Podcast, Jonathan was fortunate to sit down with Mark Peters, General Manager Fleet, Innovation & Business Intelligence for Transit Systems; one of the largest bus operators contracted to Government in the country. Mark's technical and business experience ensures he is across all of Transit Systems' business units, and he is fixed firmly on a zero-emissions future for the fleet. Timestamps: 00:19 - Introduction 01:50: Mark's role 03:42 - The importance of data  04:20 - Transit Systems' zero-emission fleet strategy 05:13 - The appetite for fleet electrification nationally 08:30 - Driver training for electric buses 09:40 - Mark's thoughts on the electrification transition  10:29 - Technical details of buses, and balancing charging in the depot 13:05 - Will depot design change as electrification takes hold? 14:10 - Charging the buses 15:50 - Bus efficiency 17:20 - Regional travel and electric buses 19:18 - Any operational cost savings over the diesel fleet? 20:48 - Battery degradation in the fleet 21:51 - Battery chemistry 22:22 - Hydrogen fleets - will we see them in Australia? 23:35 - Medium to large scale hydrogen generation 24:51 - Solar and battery infrastructure at the depot 26:16 - Wrap up

Three EV-focused friends sit down at a table and discuss zero emissions transport on World EV Day. Danny Thai is the founder of zecar.com, a one-stop-shop for electric car news, comparisons, data and clean energy. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannythai123/ Shaun Garrard has extensive experience across the automotive and electric vehicle sectors in the Asia Pacific region, including with Tesla Australia and WM Motor in Shanghai. Timecodes: 00:00 - Introduction 01:25 - What's happening this week in EVs 02:50 - Shaun's background 06:20 - Do western countries see China as a serious automotive player? 08:35 - Wan Gan - the man behind China's EV dominance 13:30 - Talking NIO 18:07 - Battery swapping; will it work in Australia? 22:00 - The cost of charging infrastructure 26:40 - Tackling residential charging issues 29:20 - EV Uptake in Australia 30:15 - Are there benefits from not being first; will it pay off to watch other countries makes the switch to EVs from fossil fuel 30:50 - Carrot + stick - how to drive people into EVs, and what should Australia's national strategy be? 37:20 - Which future products are we looking forward to?

Christopher Vanderstock and co-plaintiff Kathleen Davies are bringing a claim in the High Court of Australia against the State of Victoria to challenge the ZLEV Act. They argue that the State of Victoria lacks the constitutional authority to impose such a charge. As Australia begins the slow transition to electrification and states look to increase revenue, This case has important ramifications nationally. Find out more about the High Court challenge here: https://equitygenerationlawyers.com/cases/vanderstock-v-victoria/ Follow Chris on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chrisvanderstock Timecodes: 0:00: Introduction 01:55: What is the Victorian ZLEV Act? 08:25: How is the EV and PHEV owner charge administered? 10:35: The Commonwealth is supporting Chris's challenge 25:20: What currently excites Chris about the future of electrification in 2022?  29:08: EV news wrap up of the day Thanks for following EV Brief! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast network. You can get in touch with us and stay up to date with the latest EV news and reviews at EVbrief.com

EV Brief Podcast #42 In this episode, Jonathan chats with Polestar Automotive Australia's managing director Samantha Johnson. Ms Johnson holds a considerable amount of automotive industry experience, including with Harley Davidson and Volvo Cars. She is passionate about sustainability, design and technology, and was recently appointed to Australian Electric Vehicle Council's board of directors. Jonathan and Samantha discuss the brand's recent launch in Australia, semiconductor shortages and supply chains, the Polestar's current and future model range, and the brand's core values around environmental sustainability. Timecodes: /0:00: Introduction /01:20-What differentiates Polestar? /04:30-Does Polestar's family tree affect its ability to act as a start up? /05:40-Polestar 2 sales ambitions in Australia /07:35-Polestar 2 delivery times in Australia. Is the brand facing delays? /09:10-The Polestar 3 SUV is confirmed for a 2023 release in Australia /10:16-How has the semiconductor shortage affected Polestar in Australia? /11:05-Polestar Spaces (showrooms) coming to Australia /12:50-Polestar's 7-day money back guarantee /14:01-Servicing, roadside assistance and battery warranty /14:24-The Polestar service network /15:07-The brand's core sustainability values and its climate neutral car /18:34-The importance of in-car software, and how it will differentiate the Polestar brand /20:39-EV charging infrastructure in Australia ---- Apologies for the audio quality; this episode was recorded in the restaurant of the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney, April 2022.  ---- Thanks for tuning in! Please get in touch with any questions and comments! If you enjoyed the interview, please leave a review and subscribe to ensure you don't miss future episodes! For the latest EV news, analysis and reviews, visit our home at EV Brief

In this episode, we speak with Ms. Carola Jonas, the founder and CEO of electric vehicle charging technology company Everty. Ms. Jonas has a background in business, marketing, climate and energy policy, and sat on the board of the Australian Electric Vehicle Council from September 2019-March 2021.  Everty demonstrates the new opportunities available for Australian companies in the electric vehicle and renewables sectors, with customers all across the globe. Everty's product offerings include charging software, an in-house developed charging network and turnkey charging solutions for business. Find out more here: https://everty.com.au/   Timecodes:  00:00 Introduction  02:22 Everty's products and services  07:01 DC vs. AC charging; a mindset shift is required  08:43 How Everty can help with energy demand and load management  10:56 What challenges do businesses face in Australia around EV charging?  12:23 What should Australian governments be doing in terms of phasing out combustion engines?  18:36 Pathways for women in clean technology fields        Thanks for tuning in! Please get in touch with any questions and comments! If you enjoyed the content, please leave a thumbs up and hit subscribe to ensure you don't miss next week's show! For the latest EV news, analysis and reviews, visit our home at https://evbrief.com 

In this episode, I sit down with Teague Egan (via Zoom) for a chat about all things lithium. Teague is the founder and CEO of Energy X, and his company plans to revolutionise lithium extraction, increasing efficiency, yield and speed over traditional evaporation extraction methods with its patented nanotechnology membranes. As developed countries rapidly push for a clean energy future, how will the world supply enough lithium for renewables, electric vehicles and energy storage? How can this be done sustainably?    Timecodes:  00:00 Introduction  00:29 Teague Egan's background  03:37 What is EnergyX and what do they do?  06:21 LiTAS technology from EnergyX  08:05 Using sodium to extract lithium; Elon's point of view  10:30 LiTAS technology implementation to enhance EV production  12:19 What is EnergyX doing to improve efficiency of lithium extraction?  15:26 Who are EnergyX's customers?  16:38 LiTAS technology in the developing world  18:02 Sustainability and EnergyX  21:42 Tesla and its 4680 cells  25:38 Solid state battery technology  30:08 Driving clean energy into the hands of all consumers  31:40 Aiming for 1000 mile batteries  32:40 EnergyX's timeline for rolling out pilot plants and production  34:50 Teague's assessment on the biggest issues facing the energy transition and our climate  --  Thanks for tuning in! Please get in touch with any questions and comments! If you enjoyed the content, please leave a thumbs up and hit subscribe to ensure you don't miss next week's show! For the latest EV news, analysis and reviews, visit our home at https://evbrief.com Also Find EV Brief on your favourite podcasting network! https://anchor.fm/ev-brief-podcast

In episode 39: Australian BYD importer and bus manufacturer announces electric delivery van to be produced down under Porsche pushes for suppliers to switch to certified green energy or risk losing the automaker's contracts Bugatti to be controlled by Porsche and Rimac in new joint venture agreement Tesla's Model 3 range sees significant price cuts in Australia; now 10 percent cheaper than when launched in 2019 Tesla Model Y orders open in Europe Polestar considering public listing with Gores Guggenheim Inc. SEA Electric eyeing US public listing as electric truck technology manufacturer seeks injection of capital for expansion plans Traton, Daimler Trucks, and AB Volvo to invest in new Europe-wide heavy vehicle charging network EU Commission plans to implement charging infrastructure requirements, as the union prioritizes EV uptake Thanks for tuning in! Please get in touch with any questions and comments, and please subscribe to ensure you don't miss next week's episode! If you enjoyed the content, please leave a review if you have time! It really helps the show's exposure. Find EV Brief on your favorite platform via Anchor - https://anchor.fm/ev-brief-podcast

In this week's episode:  0'00" - Introduction;  2'20" - Revel's NYC ridehshare plan hits a snag 3'55" - CATL extends battery cell supply deal with Tesla for LFP batteries 6'04" - Xpeng holds IPO and raises $1.8 billion USD 7'20" - New South Wales announces $490 million package to boost EV uptake 14'04" - Nissan announces EV360Zero plan  15'35" - Wrap up  Thanks for tuning in! Please get in touch with any questions and comments, and please subscribe to ensure you don't miss next week's episode! If you enjoyed the content, please leave a review if you have time! It really helps the show's exposure. -- If you'd like to contribute to the running of the show, you can support the podcast on a monthly basis from as little as $1! Every cent will go into great EV content, and expanding the show to new audiences! Thank you for your support! www.patreon.com/evbriefpodcast Find EV Brief on your favourite platform via Anchor - https://anchor.fm/ev-brief-podcast

This week on the podcast, I chat with Daniel Bleakley, tech entrepreneur, engineer, environmental advocate, and creator of viral web series Coal Miners Driving Teslas. Daniel returned to his hometown of Clermont in North Queensland, driving his Tesla 2,000 km (1,243 mi) from his current home in Melbourne. Clermont also happens to be a major hub for Australia's coal industry, and Daniel knows many people employed in the sector. He gives friends and family (and anyone interested) a drive of his Tesla Model 3 performance, and for every single person, this is their first experience of an electric car.  We talk about the inspiration behind this series, renewable energy and climate activism, the social inequality behind emissions in Australia, and just what you can do to advocate for cleaner air and cleaner vehicles. Daniel's links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CoalMinersDrivingTeslas Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinersInTeslas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoalMinersDrivingTeslas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coalminersdrivingteslas/ Music used under license from Soundstripe: Elastic Peach by Two Dudes: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/7095 Thanks for tuning in! Please get in touch with any questions and comments! If you enjoyed the content, please leave a thumbs up and hit subscribe to ensure you don't miss next week's show! For the latest EV news, analysis and reviews, visit our home at https://evbrief.com

Next week on 24 May 2021, the government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is set to introduce a raft of incentives for the purchase of new and used zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Shane Rattenbury MLA is the Attorney-General of the ACT, and holds a number of ministerial portfolios, including Minister for Water, Energy, and Emissions Reduction. The Minister joins me on EV Brief Podcast this week to discuss the ACT's Transition to Zero-Emissions Vehicles Plan, climate change strategy, renewable energy, how the Territory can be EV ready, and more. For more information on the Attorney-General: Legislative Assembly for the ACT  For more information on the ACT's climate change strategy: ACT Climate Change Strategy Links also below: ACT Government Transition to Zero-Emissions Vehicles Plan: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/1188498/2018-21-ACTs-transition-to-zero-emissions-vehicles-Action-Plan-ACCESS.pdf ACT Government ZEV Incentives: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/cc/zero-emissions-vehicles Shane Rattenbury MLA - Legislative Assembly for the ACT: https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/members/tenth-assembly-members/kurrajong/rattenbury-shane ACT Government Climate Change Strategy: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/cc/act-climate-change-strategy Recorded 20/5/21. -- Timecodes: 00:00 - Introduction 00:18 - ACT's 100% renewable electricity reality  01:18 - Energy storage in the ACT 02:43 - Gas-free government buildings and the transition away from fossil fuels 04:45 - How do Australian states and territories work effectively with a federal government when they have differing energy and climate policy objectives? 07:15 - Will the ACT roll out renewables resources within its borders? 08:58 - Benefits of a just transition to clean energy , and interest-free loans 09:58 - Energy inequality 10:29 - The future of energy storage 11:42 - The ACT's incentives to encourage EV uptake 15:30 - Transitioning government fleets to zero-emission vehicles 16:15 - Trialing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) in the territory 18:45 - Why trial FCVs in the ACT? 20:12 - Tackling transport emissions from heavy and commercial vehicles 21:32 - Public transport is key to reducing emissions and congestion 23:39 - Challenges associated with transitioning government fleets to ZEVs 25:20 - Outlining policy and regulation around EV charging infrastructure in the Territory 28:08- Rolling out a DC fast-charging network in the ACT 29:29 - What motivates and inspires the Minister in his environmental advocacy? -- Thanks for tuning in! Get in touch with any questions and comments by heading over to our website evbrief.com and please subscribe to ensure you don't miss next week's episode! If you enjoyed the content, please leave a review if you have time! It really helps the show's exposure.