MONDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2024: The Federal Government has announced their draft proposal for the design of fuel efficiency standards.
The following spokespeople are available for comment; experts for comment on policy (all also double up as case studies), case studies can talk to the benefits of EV ownership and current barriers when purchasing an EV, health experts can talk to the significant health benefits implementing a strong fuel efficiency standard can have for all Australians.
FARMERS
Peter Stray - member of Farmers for Climate Action - Corangamite VIC
Peter can talk about the impacts of volatile fuel prices on Australians living in rural areas and give insights of how farmers stand to benefit from strong fuel efficiency standards, which would bring better choice of low and zero emissions vehicles including electric utes.
“Strong fuel efficiency standards will bring more affordability and more choice to Australia, which means farmers can get our hands on cleaner utes and cars that are cheaper to run.”
“Rural Australians already drive further and pay more for fuel than those in the city, so regional people will save the most when efficient petrol, diesel and electric vehicles arrive.”
“Strong fuel efficiency standards will give us access to a better range of utes, like they have in the US.”
EXPERTS
Liam Davies - Senior Transport Analyst at the Institute for Sensible Transport - Melbourne, VIC
Liam leads the Institute's work on emissions modelling, and has assisted the Climate Council and ClimateWorks in their work to lower transport emissions. He has advised the Commonwealth on the electrification of freight and dozens of governments on zero-emission fleet transition.
Bryce Gaton - EV Educator and founder of EV Choice - Brighton East VIC
Bryce has more than a decade's knowledge working with EVs. He can talk extensively about the general transport transition to EVs, what to expect when purchasing an EV, and the need for fuel efficiency standards to support the supply and uptake of more affordable EV models in Australia.
Michael Day - National Treasurer of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association - Sydney NSW
Michael has 15 years of experience in the design and conversion of electric vehicles for himself and others, he has a passion for creating awareness, and dispelling myths about EV ownership, and can talk about what to expect when purchasing an EV, and the need for fuel efficiency standards to make them more accessible to Australian drivers.
Dr Chris Jones - President of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) - Kalamunda WA
Chris is dedicated to the cause of electrifying Australia's transport networks as quickly as possible. He has been a member of AEVA since 2010, when he first enquired about building an electric motorcycle. Since then, he’s converted several motorcycles, e-bikes and two cars. Chris is familiar with transport decarbonisation more broadly, and advocates for more electric mass transit, electric freight and passenger rail and better active transport infrastructure.
Anthony Broese van Groenou - Co-Founder of Good Car Co - Hobart TAS
Anthony is a PhD researcher and co-founder of Good Car Co. Anthony can talk about the benefits of EVs, the need for fuel efficiency standards, the need for broad scale grassroots educational campaigns to shift policy, and the need for conventional car dealers to lower their prices and expand their range of affordable electric vehicles in Australia.
HEALTH EXPERTS
Dr Kate Wylie, Doctors for the Environment Australia executive director and GP - Adelaide, SA
Dr Wylie is passionate about climate action to improve health and can discuss the health benefits of improving our transport system by moving away from heavy polluting vehicles, something a well designed fuel efficiency standard would help with.
CASE STUDIES
Wendy Farmer - EV owner and Community Organiser - Gippsland VIC
Wendy has been driving an EV since 2021. Her family has two EVs (one Polestar 2 and a BYD- Atto 3) which they use to get around for their daily trips, and for long-distance drives between Melbourne and Gippsland. They decided to swap out their petrol car for both environmental and cost-savings reasons.
Anneliese Alexander - EV owner - Sydney, NSW
Anneliese and her family own a Tesla Model Y, which they use in both daily life, as well as some impressive long distance camping trips. Having just returned from a family road trip to Lightning Ridge via Coonabarabran (vision available), Anneliese can talk about fuel savings, long range trips in an EV, as well as other general benefits, and barriers to consider when buying an electric vehicle.
Peter Campbell - Member of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association’s ACT Branch - Cook, ACT
Peter first got into EVs doing his own conversion in 2008. He has since owned and driven a 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV and a 2019 Hyundai Kona EV, which he has sold to a family member who has also found driving an EV beneficial and enjoyable. He now drives a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5, chosen for its ample tow rating that suits his camper trailer.
Contact details:
For interviews please contact Jemimah Taylor, 0478 924 425, jemimah.taylor@climatemediacentre.org.au
