EV Brief Podcast: In Conversation
It’s clear that without human ingenuity, the world wouldn’t be able to solve the technological, environmental and moral challenges facing our energy transition. As we delve deeper into the world of zero-emissions transport and renewable energy at EV Brief, we’re struck by the vast breadth of experience, and commitment to a better future possessed by each of our guests. If you have any suggestions for a guest on the show, or would like to join Jonathan on the podcast, Contact us here.
Episode 42: Samantha Johnson, Polestar Automotive Australia
In Episode 42, 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.
Episode 41: Carola Jonas, Everty
In episode 41, we speak with Carola Jonas, the founder and CEO of Australian 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.
In this episode, Jonathan sits 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?
This week on the podcast, Jonathan chats 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.
Next week, 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 and the ACT's climate change strategy, see links below. Recorded 20/5/21.
This week, Jonathan has an opportunity to speak with Dr. Alina Dini, who has a vast amount of experience across the clean energy and electric vehicle spaces. Dr. Dini is an energy policy expert with experience working for the State of California, Tesla and the Queensland Government, the Founder + CEO of Whirl, an online peer-to-peer clean tech marketplace, and has completed a doctorate looking at the "Influence of New Car Buyers' Purchase Experience on Plug‐in Vehicle Demand".
In this episode, Jonathan hosts Michael J. Dunne, a Detroit Native with a background in Chinese history, and extensive experience within the auto industry across Asia. Michael's experience includes roles as President of General Motors Indonesia and VP and MD of J.D. Power China. Currently, he is CEO of ZoZo Go, an advisory firm to the automotive industry which helps companies in the west access Asian markets, and host of the Winning in Asia podcast. Michael provides not only a wealth of experience and information, but many funny and interesting anecdotes and is an absolute joy to talk cars and technology with.
On this week's EV Brief, we talk with Greg McGarvie, Managing Director of ACE EV. ACE EV is currently designing a range of commercial electric vehicles for last-mile delivery, and has recently been awarded a $5 million grant from the Australian Government for a vehicle to grid power trial.
On episode 24: On a recent trip to Singapore, I sit down with Dr. Sanjay Kuttan, director of the Singapore Maritime Institute, Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore council member, energy expert and EV advocate. We discuss all things energy, sustainability, transport and development in Singapore.
In this episode, we're bringing you a phone conversation with New South Wales (NSW) Member of Parliament Jamie Parker MP, who represents the seat of Balmain. We talk sustainable development, the electrification of mass transit, renewables and emissions in Australia, and of course electric vehicles. Mr. Parker has represented the seat of Balmain since 2011, and was the first Greens MP to be elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly.