Electric and Low Emission Vehicles in Australia

A discussion was held on the disparity between advertised and real-world ranges of electric vehicles. David Gillespie MP questioned Tristan Kathage on this issue, who explained that real-world ranges can vary significantly between models. The conversation also explored the challenges of reducing emissions in the heavy vehicle sector. Matthew Ryan outlined targets for low and zero emission vehicles, while Tristan Kathage discussed market segmentation. Matthew Ryan noted that the development of low emission heavy vehicles lags behind other areas, but investments are being made, including a $100 million round for heavy vehicles through ARENA. Tristan Kathage emphasized the need for different solutions for various heavy vehicle types, such as buses and trucks. Paula Stagg added that within these types, different use cases exist, requiring unique decarbonization pathways. David Gillespie MP expressed concerns about the council's expectation of 25% of heavy vehicle sales being low and zero emission by 2030, given the current low uptake. He also shared his observations from a trip to Korea, where fuel cell technology is being used, and highlighted the challenges of battery electric vehicles for heavy vehicles due to weight and size issues.