Electric Vehicles

As the hunt for more efficient batteries continues, Queensland energy tech company AnteoTech has sharpened its focus on the development of its silicon anode binder technology and pure silicon anode design that it claims can deliver up to a 35% improvement in energy capacity compared to current high energy battery cells.

Australia’s largest rail freight operator Aurizon has contracted Progress Rail to convert one of its diesel locomotives to full battery electric operation, paving the way for the greening of its freight-haul rail fleet.

Solar has been described as the “star performer” by the International Energy Agency which has forecast that global investment in clean energy is on course to rise to $2.61 trillion (USD 1.7 trillion) in 2023, with spending on solar set to eclipse outlays on oil for the first time.

To power Australia without fossil fuels will mean using batteries to store power from solar and wind. We often think this means home batteries – or large grid-scale installations.

The Australian government has been urged to “look to the future” when establishing the parameters for a $1 billion (USD 670 million) funding package that will offer low-cost finance for people wanting to upgrade their home’s energy efficiency with products such as solar panels and high-performing electric appliances.

Australia is at risk of over-mining key transition minerals by relying on “overblown” demand assumptions, according to a new report which warns policy steps to encourage responsible and sustainable use of critical minerals, such as improved battery recycling, are being ignored.

Battery chemicals giant Albemarle will invest up to $2.25 billion (USD 1.5 billion) as part of plans to double its lithium hydroxide output in Australia to a volume that it estimates could power almost 2.5 million electric vehicles a year.

Australians will be able to charge their electric vehicles in more rural and regional locations with the federal government announcing it will partner with motoring group NRMA to build a ‘backbone’ nation-wide network of fast-charging sites on major highways across the country by 2025.

The federal government has followed the release of its first electric vehicle strategy with a flurry of funding commitments designed to drive an increase in the number of zero-emission cars on Australian roads and in turn decarbonise the nation’s transport system.

Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, released this week, details the government’s long-awaited plans to accelerate the adoption of these vehicles.