‘Carmageddon’: Our next horse and cart moment has arrived
QODE Brisbane, QLD Australia. Australasia’s leading global forum for innovation & technology held at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. QODE Central Day One in Brisbane focusing on the technologies that are set to have the biggest impact in our working and private lives: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Robotics, Cyber Security, Next Generation Transport, Smart City tech and Space.
Carmageddon, the driving revolution is underway with experts predicting an industry shift favouring electric and alternative fuel vehicles to occur within three years.
Australians are ready to embrace the change with 60 electric vehicle models forecast to reach showrooms by 2021. In turn, vehicle prices are expected to drop and may have consumers embracing the trend faster than predicted.
“The time is now. The uptake will happen,” MTA Queensland CEO Dr Brett Dale said during MTA Queensland’s successful Carmageddon: New world Mobility event held last month and again echoed on a global scale at QODE.
“Many manufacturers have declared the end of production dates for combustion engines.
“The three deterrents that existed before were price, model range and distance range capacity. All those three things are being addressed.”
He illustrates an automotive industry experiences vast disruption in virtually every aspect “by 2022 at the latest”.
Although less than one per cent of new vehicles sold last year were electric powered, new players are entering the market making the shift to electric all the more affordable for consumers. Hyundai was the latest last week with its $59,990 Kona EV that has a 400km range, while sister company Kia plans to offer its e-Niro later this year with a price closer to $50,000. Nissan’s second-generation Leaf is due to go on sale locally in August with prices starting at $49,990 plus on-roads with a claimed range of 270km.
Tritium’s Chief Product Officer and charging infrastructure expert, Dr Paul Sernia says the uptake will accelerate as fast as the cars themselves when the electric vehicle line-up expands twenty-fold over the next three years.
“We know price is a really big barrier…we’re starting to see the battery cost parity with a performance engine (about $6000),” Dr Sernia said.
“When you have price parity with an electric vehicle and a combustion vehicle you see lots of people switch.”
Carmageddon ‘New World Mobility’ is a one-day automotive innovation symposium exploring the innovative eco-system of the automotive industry and the disruption the coming years will bring.
Source: South Burnett Times – ‘Carmageddon’: Our next horse and cart moment has arrived.
1 Apr 2019
