In 2017, MTA Queensland launched the first Carmageddon symposium – a one-day forum that aimed to highlight the innovations in the auto industry, the future directions the industry may take across its many sectors, and the technologies that will take us on that journey.

Topics that featured heavily at that first event included safety and driver assistance technology and the advance to self-driving cars; developments in manufacturing – particularly in 3D printing; the need for training to adapt to meet the skills needs for the future workforce; and the importance of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking in moving the industry forward.

Looking back, much of what was presented at that first Carmageddon was prophetic.

While the sight of self-driving vehicles may yet be some years away, the advanced driver assistance systems that are the steps to autonomy are getting more numerous and capable; 3D Printing (also known as Additive Manufacturing) is now a well-established technology for the OEMs; and educational organisations have begun to develop courses designed to equip the future workforce. MTA Queensland, for example, is among the leaders of this training evolution with its courses on Hybrid Electric and Battery Electric vehicles, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and its upcoming suite of micro-credential training courses.

Today, the revolution within the automotive industry continues to gather pace and the breadth of that disruption extends beyond the vehicles themselves and the technology that is both within them and required to make them.

Technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells are becoming accepted as a true alternative to pure battery tech; there are advances in infrastructure, such as more and faster-charging stations; and larger questions about the future of mobility in general and the ‘circular economy’ (for example, the environmental, waste and recycling issues that accompany these new technologies) are now important items on any agenda considering the future of the industry.

Which brings us to 2021 and the fourth edition of MTA Queensland’s Carmageddon symposium.

Held in July this year, the agenda for the forum covered much of these new industry developments and brought together more than 90 industry leaders, government representatives, start-up businesses, academics, and MTA Queensland members to discuss them.

Held in the expansive workshop facility at the Association’s head office, also present were examples of cutting-edge technology: electric vehicles from manufacturers such as Audi, Tesla, Hyundai, Mini, Nissan, and Renault; a selection of urban electric vehicles from eMotion Concepts (EMoS); a converted electric vehicle from Brisbane-based Oz DIY Electric Vehicles; a Level 4-capable autonomous vehicle from QUT; a new independent front suspension unit designed and built in-house by MTA Queensland member Superformance; and charging technology from Smart EV Solutions. It was quite a line-up.

The technology that has, arguably, been fundamental to the monumental shifts in thinking throughout the automotive industry is the electric vehicle (EV), and it was the EV that took centre stage as Carmageddon’s first guest speaker delivered his address.

The Hon Mick de Brenni MP, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works, revealed the push the Queensland Government is making in its quest to meet a net-zero emissions target by the middle of the century – a plan in which, the Minister said, the electrification and clean energy transformation of transportation would play a leading role.

Amongst the initiatives to be undertaken, the Minister said, are the transition of the government fleet from petrol to EVs, the move to a net-zero emission fleet for passenger transport (trains and buses) by 2030, and the doubling in size of the Queensland Electric Superhighway with the addition of 18 new fast-charging stations.

Most interestingly, the Minister said that it may become a requirement for all new residential buildings to be constructed EV-ready. Noting an increase in EV uptake in Queensland and the fact that it was clear that EVs represented the future of the vehicle market, he said the requirement for charging capabilities to be part of every new build – apartment buildings as well as suburban homes – was on the cards and if it was not to happen on a national level, Queensland could make the move on its own.

“I would like to see those capabilities be built into new homes and new buildings sooner rather than later,” he said. “But if it doesn’t happen nationally, we could still require new construction in Queensland to be EV-ready. And we could do that as part of our proposed sustainable resilient buildings work that we are embarking upon. So, subject to public consultation, which is always important, provisions could be included in an instrument we call the Queensland Development Code for the inclusion of EV infrastructure in new homes.”

The Minister also noted the growing acceptance and aspirations of Queenslanders to own an EV. Announcing the release of the Queensland Household Energy Survey, he highlighted that of the 4500 respondents surveyed who did not own an electric vehicle already, 54 per cent said they would now consider buying one – a figure that represented a 35 per cent jump on two years ago.

Why the jump? According to the survey, the Minister said, 64 per cent of people said EVs were fuel efficient and they don’t want to have to rely on petrol; 58 per cent said they wanted to do something to help the environment; and 57 per cent said it was because EVs are the technology of the future.

The Minister added that as well as being efficient and environmentally friendly, EVs presented opportunities for the Queensland economy in general and, ultimately, could be the answer to wider environmental and climate concerns.

“When a motorist makes the choice to fill their EV ‘tank’ with energy made here in Queensland, it contributes to the growth of renewables in this state,” he said. “And that is terrific because electricity in this state is owned by every single Queenslander. Five million Queenslanders own our electricity generation and distribution network . . . so, growing our EV fleet means we don’t pay for fuel that originates overseas with profits going offshore – it means bringing back manufacturing to Queensland and, ultimately, that means more decent jobs for Queenslanders.

“The Premier has commissioned me and my colleagues to develop a 10-year energy plan for Queensland. Ultimately, it’s a roadmap for three things: meeting our renewable energy target by 2030; more jobs enabled by cheaper cleaner energy; and it means becoming an export superpower in hydrogen.

“And the uptake in EVs and charging them with our renewable resources is going to be a key part of that plan. I will be looking at the entire EV manufacturing value chain – from mineral extraction for batteries to production of batteries in Queensland.”

Finally, Minister de Brenni noted that transport had been the fastest growing emissions sector in Australia, and that it could become a crucial player in fighting climate change.

“As Queensland’s Energy Minister, I know EVs will have a big role to play in our future energy make-up, as will hydrogen in the heavy vehicle and passenger transport space.

“I see decarbonisation of transport as the most obvious route that our nation can take as we work towards the 2050 zero emissions target that we have in Queensland . . . I think it is the transport industry that represents the best chance to the global decarbonisation challenge.”

MTA Queensland’s CEO, Mr Rod Camm, followed the Minister, and Mr Camm’s address dealt with the state of the industry, the remarkable transformation being seen across the world and what it means for the Australian industry. He noted that innovation is genuinely driving change, while the choice of the consumer, the community’s increasing concern regarding sustainability, and politics were also providing impetus.

Looking across the world to Europe as an example of the future Australia and its automotive industry may face, Mr Camm used Norway – the nation most enthusiastic about EVs – as a ‘working pilot’ example of where things may be heading.

“About 60 per cent of vehicles in Norway are already electric,” he said. “And what has that told us? That skills are everything, and the lack of availability of skills will hold back innovation.”

He highlighted that the repair industry in Norway is experiencing significant changes, losing about 25 per cent of previous revenue on the servicing of cars because it doesn’t take as long, or is required as often, for an EV, and had lost about 50 per cent of revenue around parts and components because an EV is less complicated and uses far fewer of them.

Most compelling, Mr Camm said, was that around 25-30 per cent of independentnt repairers in Norway were closing as a result of this move to EVs.

If ever a there was a requirement to adapt, upskill, and evolve as a business, he said, the proof was there to see, and the need to develop training to meet these needs was vital, as was the willingness of businesses to seize the opportunities that such radical change would create.
“It takes about four years to change a qualification in Australia,” he said. “Well, our industry is changing by the day, so that is a significant challenge for us as we try and tool up our industry.

“That’s not meant to sound doom and gloom – there’s an opportunity to re-imagine what our industry looks like, there’s an opportunity to re-imagine what business across our sector looks like.”

A LOOK AT HYDROGEN

Following Mr Camm’s address, the Carmageddon agenda shifted to clean fuels and hydrogen, with Professor Peta Ashworth – the Director of the Andrew N. Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership, and Chair in Sustainable Energy Futures at The University of Queensland (UQ) – delivering a presentation on the subject and then facilitating the day’s first panel discussion on Clean Fuel and Infrastructure.
Professor Ashworth began her presentation with a video that showed just how long hydrogen had been considered a viable alternative power source for vehicles. A 1978 news report from the U.S. on a hydrogen-powered car, the video featured Hollywood actor Jack Nicholson – a vocal supporter of the technology.

For the layman, it was intriguing to see that hydrogen vehicles were working, and the technology viable, decades ago, but Professor Ashworth noted that while the issue of hydrogen had come up on the automotive agenda before, today the circumstances were different and the issue of climate concerns and rapid decarbonisation meant the technology was being taken much more seriously.

However, as clever as the technology is, it seems likely that hydrogen will find its place in the vehicle landscape in the public transport and long-haul transport sector – large and important sectors that could open up new opportunities for business and for Queensland which could, the argument goes, become a hydrogen exporter.

The day’s first panel, on Clean Fuel & Infrastructure, included Steve Dunton, CTO of Sola-Drive and Hydro-Drive; Jon Day, Chairman of the Australia Electric Vehicle Association Queensland Branch, and Dan Scott, Regional Sales Manager, Nissan Australia, and there was general agreement that hydrogen would indeed find a place in the long-haul sector. EVs, it was argued, had proved to be the winning technology for the passenger car sector.

While that indeed may be true, it was also argued that more needed to be done at an infrastructure and governmental policy level. A significant increase in chargers at more places in the community – at supermarkets and coffee shops for example – would allow for people to recharge as part of any outing they make, ensuring charging becomes even more routine and easy, while from an OEM point of view, a clear roadmap from national government would help as manufacturers considered new model designs and the introduction of new model lines.

NEW TECH AND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

The third keynote address of the day was delivered by Professor Michael Milford, a regular guest at Carmageddon events, and the Acting Director at the QUT Centre for Robotics, Electrical Engineering and Robotics School.

An expert on autonomous vehicle technology, Professor Milford provided a snapshot and update on the development of self-driving cars and the technology – in the form of sensors such as LiDAR and radar – that are at the heart of any autonomous vehicle program. While the development of the technology had, for many years, been centred in the United States, there was, said Professor Milford, encouraging signs for Australia as talent had begun to return to the country and Australian businesses were beginning to make their mark in the sector.

“It’s important to note Australia is starting to kick some goals in this area,” he said. “The narrative is that all of this happens in the U.S., but there are companies in Australia like Baraja in Sydney, which are developing new types of LiDAR sensors for the automotive market. And there are other examples across the Australian landscape . . . Australia is starting to foster an ecosystem where we can compete, at least to some extent, in this area.”

However, delivering a truly autonomous car was, Professor Milford said, fiendishly difficult, explaining that while the expectations had been high a handful of years ago about how quickly the technology would be available, training the ‘brain’ of a car was challenging, particularly in getting cars to understand and recognise that, for example, pedestrians and cyclists may take unpredictable actions.

“These are things that humans do, not perfectly, but remarkably well, but are very hard for autonomous technologies,” he said.

The technology is, however, already up and running in sectors such as mining and agriculture where such unpredictability is less of an issue, and there was, the Professor said, still plenty of money being funnelled into the technology’s development.

“There used to be hundreds if not thousands of start-ups and companies operating in this space,” he said. “Now, arguably, there are about four or five key players . . . but despite the fact that everything has fallen well short of expectation, people are still investing large amounts – in the billion-dollar range – into these initiatives. The appetite has changed a little bit, but it is still there.

“The key thing to remember with robotaxis and cars taking us everywhere is that you can’t do this in stages. You can’t have autonomous vehicles that kill a lot of people, and then kill less people, and then don’t kill anyone. It’s just not acceptable. You have to have near perfect technology as soon as you deploy it. And that is the key challenge in this area.”

New technology and the future of mobility was the subject of the day’s second panel discussion, overseen by Professor Milford.

The panel, which included Dr David Holmes, senior lecturer of Mechanical Design and Manufacturing at QUT; Wolfgang Roffman, Founder and CTO of electric vehicle company eMotion Concepts; and Dr Kellie Nuttall, Partner at Deloitte Australia – AI Lead, had a spirited discussion that covered a variety of topics.

Notably, the question arose around how businesses should work under the cloud of uncertainty surrounding the future of the industry and its fast-moving current state, to make important and successful long-term strategic business decisions.

Considering the idea of ‘decision paraylsis’ brought on by this uncertainty, Dr Nuttall said that the key was to think of decisions as a spectrum – as levels of confidence and certainty.

“In the short term – 0-2 years – take an evidence-based view,” she said. “But in the longer term, use scenario testing – play out loads of different scenarios and think about what your organisation would do in each scenario.”

Higher education was also discussed, with Dr Holmes noting that mechanical engineering in the university setting was now ‘authentically multi-disciplinary’, with students needing to understand, for example, not just the design and working of engines but also electric motors, batteries and other related technologies, in an effort to incorporate that knowledge into their design processes.

There was a trend too, Dr Holmes said in response to an audience question, for designers to consider the recyclability and sustainability of their work and the products they create.

The topics of recycling and sustainability were central to the first of the afternoon’s presentations – with Dr Anna Kaksonen from the CSIRO delivering a video address on unlocking a circular economy for tyres – and the subsequent panel discussion focusing on Waste Management and Opportunities for Business.

In her presentation, Dr Kaksonen discussed research into what could be done with the 56 million tyres that reach the end of their usable life every year in Australia.

Currently, Australia recycles or re-uses just 14 per cent of its used tyre stock. Another 55 per cent is exported, and 31 per cent is sent to landfill or stockpiled, dumped or buried.

Those are not good-looking figures, and the nation has, Dr Kaksonen contended, an opportunity to improve them in ways that would not only help the environmental aspect of end-of-life tyres but also help develop new and nascent business sectors.

Such actions could be in infrastructure that facilitates collection; market development in the form of procurement policies, and financial incentives for retreaded tyres, tyre-derived products and fuels, and new market models such as tyre leasing; support for research and upscaling and commercialisation of new innovations; and education to support a circular economy of tyres and a zero-waste culture shift.

The recycling of components such as tyres has become an important focus for the automotive industry, and the last panel of the day continued that discussion, with its theme of waste management and opportunities for business including touching on the topics of battery and even solar panel recycling.

Dr Andrea Walton, Social Scientist and Research Team Leader at the CSIRO, was joined by Kylie Hughes, Director Waste Management and Recovery Policy, Office of Resource Recovery at the Department of the Environment; Trevor Bayley, COO of tyre recycling company Green Distillation Technologies Corporation; and Mark Smith, CEO of the Waste Recycling Industry Association of Queensland on the panel.
Clearly, the ability to recycle any item is useful, environmentally friendly, and potentially profitable.

Trevor Bayley – whose company is able to recycle 100 per cent of a tyre and produce oil, carbon and steel through that process – noted that big businesses, including brake manufacturers, were pushing to improve their environmentally friendly credentials, and that his company was able to service that need.

“Major corporations have a sustainability group, and all their sustainability management is at Board level, and they are pushing to try and find a way to replace the ingredients of their products with a renewable or sustainable supply – and we come in their somewhere,” he said.

At a policy level, the panel discussed the funding governments could, and should, provide for innovative recycling and sustainability solutions and noted that communication and awareness, and making sure regulatory settings are conducive for businesses to make the changes they need, were important steps to take.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT

The Carmageddon symposiums have proved to be a successful way of bringing together all stakeholders in the automotive industry to learn about and discuss the many aspects of the disruptions rippling through the industry, and they will continue to be an important part of MTA Queensland’s goal to learn more and establish pathways and opportunities for members and the wider industry.

“With such uncertainty already surrounding us, possessing and understanding the industry and where it will be going in the next 5, 10 and 20 years is crucial for MTA Queensland to understand,” said Paul Peterson, Chair of MTA Queensland.

“The MTA Queensland Board is committed to innovation and supporting the industry as it transforms before our very eyes. We understand the importance of embracing this innovation, accepting it and leading the way as early enablers to ensure the longevity of the industry.”

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (August 2021)

11 August 2021