Australia’s EV industry wants $3.2b more for infrastructure

The electric vehicle industry wants an extra $3.2 billion spent on infrastructure to get three million EVs on Australia’s roads by 2030.

The scenario was outlined in a new report for the Electric Vehicle Council, The Australian reports.

The council says a boost to public charging infrastructure would help achieve a Norway-like EV uptake.

The NRMA supports the plan, and is rolling out $10 million worth of public chargers in New South Wales, paid for with members’ funds.

Energy minister Josh Frydenberg, who expects a million electric vehicles in Australia by 2030, says the government will support measures through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

Report sponsor and energy technology investor Trevor St Baker hopes taxpayers and the private sector will fund infrastructure through public-private partnerships.

The report follows studies by New Zealand electricity distributor Vector and Concept Consulting warning next-generation EVs with bigger batteries, and preference for faster chargers, could multiply a household’s load on the power grid by up to 20 times.

Frydenberg says he’s relying on the advice of chief scientist Alan Finkel that extra demand on the electricity network could be “relatively easily managed”. The Electric Vehicle Council report says the upcoming national energy guarantee “must plan to ensure dispatchable electricity is able to meet the needs of electric vehicle operations”.

The scenario assumed 57% of vehicles sold in Australia by 2030 would be EVs.

Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari has asked for ways to reduce EV prices by up to $7000 to promote their uptake, including fringe benefits and luxury car tax exemptions, and the dropping of stamp duty and registration charges by the states.