Discussion on The Driven Podcast: Electrified Vehicles, Roadside Charging, and the upcoming Residential Energy Revolution with Sarah Aubrey
In a thought-provoking article published on The Driven, energy advocate Sarah Aubrey, the creator of Electrify This, and Sam Parkinson, the Chief Operating Officer for Renew Economy and EV Media, emphasise the need for comprehensive strategies to facilitate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Australia.
Both Aubrey and Parkinson, who have been associated with Renew Economy, One Step Off The Grid since 2014, and The Driven since its inception in 2017, argue that while appealing and diverse EV models are essential, they are not enough to make electric vehicles mainstream.
Aubrey highlights the importance of home electrification, curbside charging, and the development of virtual power plants as critical factors in achieving widespread EV adoption. She argues that for consumers to embrace EVs, they need accessible and reliable charging infrastructure, including options for those without dedicated home garages. Visible and well-signposted public charging points are crucial to build consumer confidence and overcome range anxiety, as people need to "see it to believe it."
Parkinson, who also has a particular interest in electric vehicles and social policy, supports Aubrey's views. He emphasises that integrating EVs with home energy systems and the broader grid, such as through virtual power plants, can enhance energy efficiency and grid stability, making EVs more practical and sustainable in the Australian context.
This comprehensive approach is necessary to address both consumer concerns and the technical challenges of scaling up EV use beyond what vehicle availability alone can achieve. The article also delves into the topic of virtual power plants in relation to home electrification, providing valuable insights for those interested in the future of EV adoption in Australia.
[1] Renew Economy (2020). Virtual power plants and home electrification key to EV adoption, say energy experts. [online] Available at: https://reneweconomy.com.au/virtual-power-plants-and-home-electrification-key-to-ev-adoption-say-energy-experts-82624/
[2] One Step Off The Grid (2020). Virtual power plants and home electrification key to EV adoption, say energy experts. [online] Available at: https://one-step.org.au/2020/11/24/virtual-power-plants-and-home-electrification-key-to-ev-adoption-say-energy-experts/
[3] The Driven (2020). Virtual power plants and home electrification key to EV adoption, say energy experts. [online] Available at: https://thedriven.io/2020/11/24/virtual-power-plants-and-home-electrification-key-to-ev-adoption-say-energy-experts/
- The renewable-energy industry, represented by Energy advocates like Sarah Aubrey and Sam Parkinson, acknowledges the importance of comprehensive strategies, involving home electrification, virtual power plants, and accessible charging infrastructure, to facilitate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Australia.
- As both Aubrey and Parkinson have been associated with Renew Economy, One Step Off The Grid, and The Driven, they argue that while appealing and diverse EV models are essential, they are not enough to make electric vehicles mainstream in the Australian lifestyle.
- Data-and-cloud-computing integration with EVs and home energy systems, such as through virtual power plants, can enhance energy efficiency, grid stability, and make electric vehicles more practical and sustainable, according to Sam Parkinson, the Chief Operating Officer for Renew Economy and EV Media.
- The finance, technology, and renewable-energy industry kinship must prioritize the development of electric-vehicles and supportive infrastructure, like cars with well-signposted public charging points, to encourage consumer confidence, combat range anxiety, and speed up widespread EV adoption in Australia.
