Venture into the realm of electric vehicles and active transport with industry leaders sharing their expertise. Includes hot topics from how to choose an electric vehicle, the economic and environmental implications of EVs to the evolving infrastructure and charging systems, making it an unmissable session for anyone interested in understanding more about EVs.

This panel explores the various dimensions of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) in the Boroondara community and beyond. It provides a comprehensive view of the current landscape of electric vehicles, offering insights into the basic elements of EVs, infrastructure and charging advancements, economic and environmental impacts, policy incentives, and local adoption initiatives.

Moderated by John Pesutto, State Member for Hawthorn

Bryce Gaton, EV transition consultant, EV writer/commentator and electrician Bryce Gaton has been working in, as well as writing and presenting on the EV sector since 2008. His time is currently split between writing for Australia’s premier EV news website –TheDriven, and running the EV transition support consultancy EV Choice. At EV Choice, he does public speaking on EV topics, provides policy advice to governments, prepares EV Transition planning reports and runs EV build safety training to a number of Australian university FSAE EV race teams. 

Ricky Fung, Head of Innovation, E-Mobility – Origin Ricky has been in the innovation space for more than a decade mixing technology from start-ups and corporates to help solve customer problems. Ricky leads innovation for the E-mobility team, building a range of products and services to help decarbonise transportation.

Ross De Rango, Head of Energy and Infrastructure at the Electric Vehicle Council Ross qualified as a robotics engineer in 2006 and spent some time teaching engineering at Deakin University prior to spending 13 years working in the electrical industry, during the last six of which he’s been focussed primarily on EVs.  Ross gets involved wherever the standards, codes and regulations relating to the electrical infrastructure supporting EVs in Australia are being considered. 

EV Basics & Varieties – what to look for when choosing a vehicle. What are some common misconceptions about EVs and how can they be addressed?

Infrastructure & Charging - how has the charging infrastructure evolved, and what do future projections look like? What are the key differences between home charging, public fast charging, and supercharging? How long does it typically take to charge an EV? Charging infrastructure in Victoria and Australia. How often do EV batteries need to be replaced, and what's their environmental impact? How can EVs integrate with home solar systems for charging?

Economic & Environmental Impact - how do the lifetime costs of owning an EV compare to traditional vehicles? What environmental benefits are associated with transitioning to EVs? What about the emission produced when making an EV. How do EVs fit into the broader picture of renewable energy and sustainability?

Policy & Incentives - how are local and national policies promoting the adoption of EVs? What incentives are available for prospective EV buyers?

Local Impact & Adoption - how has the Boroondara community responded to the rise of EVs? Are there local initiatives or groups promoting EV adoption in the community apart from EB? How Melbourne can be designed or retrofitted to encourage both EV use and active transport?