Introduction

Establishment of the Committee

1.1        On 27 June 2018, the Senate established the Senate Select Committee on Electric Vehicles (Committee) to inquire into the use and manufacture of electric vehicles (EV) in Australia by 17 October 2018.[1] In particular, the Committee was to inquire into and report on the following matters:

1. the potential economic, environmental and social benefits of widespread electric vehicle uptake in Australia;
2. opportunities for electric vehicle manufacturing and electric vehicle supply and value chain services in Australia, and related economic benefits;
3. measures to support the acceleration of electric vehicle uptake;
4. measures to attract electric vehicle manufacturing and electric vehicle supply and value chain manufacturing to Australia;
5. how federal, state and territory Governments could work together to support electric vehicle uptake and manufacturing, supply, and value chain activities; and
6. any other related matters.[2]

1.2        The Senate granted an extension of time for reporting until 4 December 2018[3] and 30 January 2019.[4]

Conduct of the inquiry

1.3        The inquiry was advertised on the Committee's website and by media release. The Committee invited submissions from over 200 individuals and organisations by 27 July 2018. Submissions continued to be accepted after this date. The Committee received 137 submissions which are listed at Appendix 1. 

1.4        The Committee held public hearings in Adelaide on 10 August 2018; Canberra on 17 August 2018; Melbourne on 31 August 2018; Brisbane on 27 September 2018; and Canberra on 18 October 2018. A list of the witnesses who gave evidence at the public hearings is available at Appendix 2.

1.5        The Committee also conducted site visits to Precision Buses on 9 August 2018 (Adelaide, South Australia); Nissan Casting Australia Plant and SEA Electric on 30 August 2018 (Dandenong, Victoria); and Tritium on 27 September 2018 (Murrarie, Queensland). Summaries of the site visits can be found in Appendix 3.

1.6        Submissions, additional information and the Hansard transcripts of evidence may be accessed through the committee website at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Electric_Vehicles .

1.7        The Committee thanks those who made submissions to the Committee and appeared as witnesses at public hearings. The Committee extends its sincere appreciation to hosts at the site visits from Precision Buses, Nissan Casting Australia Plant, SEA Electric and Tritium.

Structure of the report

1.8        Chapter 1 is an introductory chapter which outlines the administrative details of the Committee's inquiry. The remainder of the report is structured as follows:

• Chapter 2 focuses on the background and projections for EVs in Australia and globally.
• Chapter 3 examines the benefits and challenges of increased EV uptake and use in Australia.
• Chapter 4 considers the opportunities for Australian industry in manufacturing EVs, EV components and supporting infrastructure.
• Chapter 5 explores ways to seize the opportunity and manage the risks of increasing EV uptake.
• Chapter 6 draws together the Committee's conclusions and recommendations.

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