Gladstone Ecofest, with its motto of Repowering Gladstone, has a long history of promoting environmental issues. However, it has had difficulty attracting electric vehicles to the event, with locals seemingly reluctant to display their Teslas (yes, there are some in this coal export hub). This could be due to the fact that the event is sponsored by major energy companies firmly committed to fossil fuels. The Gladstone Library fully electric Kia Niro EV was a notable exception.
When my friend Arthur Hunt suggested I attend, bring my Tesla, and invite some friends, I thought it would be an adventure. The reception was fantastic! Anna Hitchcock, Coordinator of the Gladstone Conservation Council, had warned us that we would be mobbed, and we were, even after I managed to up the number of cars attending from 2 to 7. Anna had to go back to the Council and ask for more space – a good problem to have.
We were mobbed by the curious, and Anna was right about needing deep technical knowledge to answer their questions. We didn’t seem to attract the diehard V8 car buffs, but instead answered normal questions around range, charging time, and costs. In the end, there were 8 electric vehicles in our display – 4 Tesla Model 3s, 1 Tesla Model S, 2 Hyundai Kona EVs, and 1 BYD E6. Only one car was local.
We encouraged open access to our car, and I don’t think there was a moment when there wasn’t someone sitting in it. Parents found it difficult at times to remove their youngsters from the screen. During the day, hundreds of people went through the display, including lots and lots of kids. The 12–25 year olds really knew their stuff and played with the screen like pros.
I did my talk about the rapidity of the uptake of EVs globally. Ironically, I spoke after the Toyota talk on self-charging hybrids. I managed to catch up with the speaker later in the day and we had “the chat.” He clarified that Toyota’s hybrids self-charge when using regen braking. He also informed me that the Toyota BZ4 EV will be in Australia soon.
Sam Moran made the observation that there was a lack of a DC fast charger in Gladstone, especially considering the presence of energy companies such as Origin, Santos, and Shell. Origin and Shell have been making some effort recently with their activity in the EV charging infrastructure space. Hopefully by the next Gladstone Ecofest, we might see a new fast charger or two in town.
Gladstone is a port city undergoing change from exporting fossil fuels to renewables. Fortescue Future Industries is setting up a massive green hydrogen export hub here to repower Gladstone. With this initiative and more EV charging infrastructure, Gladstone’s future looks bright and green.
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Can electric car batteries be rebuilt?
A3: Yes, electric car batteries can be rebuilt with the right tools and knowledge.
