Watts Under the Bonnet - The Electric Vehicle Podcast LiSTNR

If the batteries of tomorrow aren’t as lithium-dependent as they are today, can Australia still become the ‘critical minerals superpower’ it hopes to be as countries across the global electrification race take off? That’s the question Rusty and Nadine are on a mission to answer. To help them on their quest, they enlist the help of Dr. Veronika Wright, or as she’s better known - Electrified Veronika. With a flair for electrical engineering and physics, Veronika dissects lithium-ion mechanics while challenging the viability of solid-state batteries, hailed as the next frontier in energy storage. Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University and for the past 5 years the Lead Author for Transport in the IPCC (the UN’s climate change body), joins later in the show to discuss the national and global implications for a lithium-ion economy. He sheds light on Australia's mining industry manoeuvres, propelling the nation beyond its 'exporter' label and toward 'innovator' status. With value-added strategies upstream in the lithium supply chain, Newman envisions local economic revitalisation and Australia's ascent as the beacon of green exporters in critical minerals.

 
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If sliding Tesla sales weren’t putting a bee under the bonnet of Tesla boss Elon Musk this month, then media organisation Reuters certainly did, publishing an article on the alleged axing of the Tesla 2 that Musk has since called a lie; and Nadine and Rusty don’t know what to think! Also in the news, why Tesla and Polestar dropped out of VFACTS reporting, and if EVs really deserve the notorious title of being 'characterless'.

 

Our usual 'Meet an EV-er' segment has been switched up to introduce you to an E-innovator - Sriram Pakkam, manager for Formula One and EV demonstrator vehicles at Ford Performance. He tells us how the e-Transit sibling – the superVan 4.2 - made its way into the demonstrator lineup, and gives some interesting insight into the relationship between motorsports, aerodynamics, and the performance of EVs. As always, Senior Editor Feann Torr is back to give us the latest EV releases hitting showrooms soon, including the Renault Megane E-Tech, the fancy-pants Maserati Grecale Folgore, and the BYD Seal U.

 

Read more about the latest EV releases here:

Renault Megane E-Tech

Maserati Grecale Folgore

BYD Seal U. 

Alfa Romeo Milano

KIA EV3

Ford Mustang Mach-E

 

 
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The trucking and logistics sector is perhaps the biggest piece of the decarbonisation puzzle, but can battery-electric deliver? Moves are being made by industry and government to make it happen but the answer is more complex than a yes or no. For Road Freight Engineer Rod Hannifey with 6 million kilometres under his belt, he tells Rusty and Nads exactly why that is… and he doesn’t hold back.

One company tackling the trucking problem head-on is Volvo. Matthew Wood joins us to talk about where electric fits in their strategy, and where it doesn’t with surprising insight including why battery swapping has been ruled out, innovations in battery recycling, and why their diversified approach to investing in a green future includes alternate sources of green energy ICE too.
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Get your popcorn ready, as a heated debate has predictably erupted over the proposed fuel efficiency standards. But that’s not all Rusty and Nads have lined up for news; move over supercars, it’s time to make room for superVANS on Mount Panorama, because one electric van has just broken the fastest lap record . And that’s not the only van making waves in this episode. Hear from Bernie Wiley, Sustainability Director at Who Gives A Crap, about their transition to the LDV e-delivery vans they’ve aptly named ‘Mr. Wipee’, much to Rusty’s delight. Plus, listen to Senior Editor Feann Torr talk about the latest happenings in the EV market, including the wild 500kW Dodge Charger Daytona unveiling, and the launch of the long-awaited bZ4X from Toyota and the Subaru Solterra, which might just have what it takes to become Australia’s most popular mid-size SUV.

 

Read more about the latest EV releases below

 

Toyota bZ4X

Subaru Solterra

Hyundai IONIQ5N

Abarth 500e

Jeep Avenger

Leapmotor C10

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX hot hatch

Dodge Charger Daytona 

 
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Our energy landscape is changing every day, from endless new chargers to batteries in trucks, those on the electric frontline are working hard to meet Net Zero by 2050. But are renewable sources still keeping up with demand, and as EV demand grows, will it in the future? In this episode, the team check in with Australia’s progress towards clean energy and explores why the race towards renewable won’t be in a straight line. Energy industry veteran Tony Wood, Director of the Energy Program at Grattan Institute, unpacks the current makeup of our grid, what needs to improve, what the future may look like (solar, wind, nuclear) and how we get there.We catch up with Tim Washington from Jet Charge, one of the change-makers influencing how our electric infrastructure develops. Plus Andrew Rogers from Charge HQ tells us how his company is bringing all of this together and giving you the (solar) power to play a part from your garage.
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Are Australia’s proposed ‘New Vehicle Efficiency Standards’ a double-edged sword? Nadine thinks so. The standards are perhaps the most important development in Australia’s journey to increasing EV uptake, and in this episode, Rusty and Nadine tell you what they think about the fine print. Also in news, find out why ‘Mr. Bean’ and ‘EV Saboteur’ are being used in the same sentence, and the gangs thoughts on the latest Superbowl EV commercials. Plus, Senior Editor Feann Torr is back with the latest happenings on the EV market, including the vehicles earmarked for AUS that we can thank the NVES for. We also meet Marcus Davidson, Station Officer at the Cessnock fire station, who tells us why his MG4 rivals even a Falcon Cobra!

Read more about the latest EV releases below

Renault Migane E-Tech

LDV Deliver 7  

Ford Ranger Hybrid

KIA PV5 Electric Ute

VinFast announces right hand drive models

Rivian R2 electric SUV

Abarth 600e Hot Hatch

Porsche hints that the 911 will go fully electric
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