An “iPhone-like revolution”: Minister shows support for electric cars as tech sector calls for more focus on development

Comments from energy minister Josh Frydenberg expressing his support for electric cars have sparked conflict within the Liberal party, but those in the startup space are hoping the sentiment will lead to further growth in a burgeoning area of Australia’s tech industry.

As reported by The Australian, Frydenberg said over the weekend that the federal government will continue to support the electric car sector via options such as subsidies, labelling the space “very exciting”.

“We are living in the decade of disruption, there is global momentum around electric vehicles and I think they will be to the transport sector what the iPhone has been to the communication sector,” Frydenberg told the ABC.

However, his statement is at odds with many of his Liberal colleagues who believe electric cars could have a larger carbon footprint than traditional petrol-driven vehicles thanks to the vast majority of Australia’s energy being produced by coal-fuelled power plants. There are also concerns potential subsidies for users of electric cars could create a divide between those who can and cannot not afford them.

“The risk here is you’ll have the rich person in Balmain buying a Tesla, subsidised by a bloke in Penrith who’s driving a Corolla. And the Tesla will have more carbon emissions than the Corolla,” Liberal MP Craig Kelly told The Australian. Read more

Dominic Powell - Smart Company - 23 Jan 2018