Climate News 25:04
The shift from internal combustion to electric vehicles (EVs) poses unique climate governance questions for Australian councils.
At first glance, it looks straightforward: councils want to encourage the uptake of a technology that will reduce emissions. But the tools they have and are prepared to implement make it trickier. Public charging investments make sense for rural councils where range anxiety is a real thing, and where such facilities can act as tourism supports for visiting drivers. But is that true in Australian cities, where the average commute is 16 kilometres, and shopping trips between 12 and 15 kilometres. Combine this with AEMO’s projection that 89% of charging will take place at home, is there a strong argument for metropolitan public charging investment? It can certainly help normalise EV ownership and use, but there are other tools councils could use, such as the Norwegian practice of providing preferential parking without chargers. This would send a strong signal to encourage EV usage but is it politically palatable at this stage? Councils are also considering governance practices that previously proved successful with rooftop solar: bulk buys. Reducing the price of EVs would make them more attractive, but how does this square with notions of climate justice and protecting the most vulnerable? We are still very much in the Early Adopter phase of technology adoption with regard to EVs, and typical buyers are predominantly male, 45-54 years of age, living in houses, full-time or retired, and have a high household income. Not exactly a demographic that needs help and we’re a long way from mechanisms that help jump the gap to the Early Majority. Finally, looking at the problem through an emissions lens, EVs are a no brainer. But they do nothing to reduce congestion or make our streets safer and more attractive places. Is there a danger that this solution crowds out that local governments have traditionally been good at, encouraging walking, cycling and public transport? Next time: why councils should focus on e-bikes and what we need to understand about their users’ behaviours.
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