Podcast Summary: "50 Years in the Making?! Australia’s EV Boom!"

Everything Electric Podcast | The Fully Charged Show
Host: Robert Llewellyn
Guest: James Pickering, National President of AEVA
Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Robert Llewellyn sits down with James Pickering, the National President of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA), to unpack the rapid transformation of the Australian electric vehicle (EV) market. Together, they delve into Australia's unique challenges and opportunities in EV adoption, from history and public attitudes to infrastructure and policy. The discussion is filled with wit and real-life anecdotes, combining technical insight with grassroots experience, and highlighting how a half-century-old organization is helping drive Australia’s EV boom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Journeys & Historical Context

[03:55 – 06:02]

• James Pickering's background: Longstanding technologist, inspired by witnessing the Solar Challenge cars in Australia 30 years ago.
• His work in Silicon Valley and early test drives of EVs (Tesla Roadster, 2011) cemented his commitment to sustainable transport.
• “I bought an EV the moment there was one that supported what I needed to do.” — James Pickering [05:00]
• Pickering has been an AEVA member and a longtime Patreon supporter since 2016.

2. Dramatic Growth & Market Shifts

[07:09 – 11:45]

• The visibility and everyday nature of EVs have surged: from being a novelty to “seven on my block”.
• Australia now has a rapidly diversifying EV market: BYD, MG, IM, even Rolls Royce are available.
• “When I bought my first car, I was the second EV in the suburb... now there’s seven on my block.” — James Pickering [07:39]
• Australia’s choices, especially for new models and segments, have exploded in the past year.

3. Public Attitudes: From Skepticism to Polarization

[12:02 – 15:44]

• Early perceptions (2010–15) were dismissive or hostile; attitudes have shifted alongside product diversity.
• Today, the public is split between “it’s just a car” indifference and a polarized, sometimes politicized, debate.
• “We do certainly see a polarization that has previously aligned with brands and now more with powertrains.” — James Pickering [13:36]

4. Solar Energy & Charging Economics

[15:44 – 19:14]

• High solar penetration: Australia leads with 1 in 4 houses having rooftop solar.
• Surplus daytime solar often pushes grid prices negative; EVs help absorb this surplus.
• Owners can sometimes “get paid to charge” their EVs (rare, but real!).
• “Last week, I charged both my EVs and I got paid 75 cents for the privilege.” — James Pickering [17:55]

5. Sovereignty, Security, and the Origins of AEVA

[19:14 – 24:22]

• AEVA was founded in 1973 during the oil shocks, focusing on national fuel security and sovereignty.
• “We’re the world’s longest continuously running electrical association. 1973, formed in response to national security and supply chain security.” — James Pickering [19:51]
• The mission has evolved: from DIY EV builders to consumer advocacy and policy influence.

6. The Evolution of EV Technology & Conversions

[24:22 – 27:44]

• Historical context: Early EVs were DIY “wedges of cheese” with lead-acid batteries.
• A robust conversion community persists, now focusing on classic car conversions.
• Conversions give old cars modern utility and bring classics back into regular use.

7. Trade, Tariffs, Incentives, and Market Structure

[27:14 – 31:13]

• Aussie market open to Chinese EVs due to low/zero tariffs.
• Government incentives exist for new EVs (mainly via novated leasing for employers/employees), driving fleet uptake and feeding the secondhand market.
• Media narratives of “too successful” or “nobody wants it” are at odds with growing adoption.

8. The Secondhand Market & Reliability Concerns

[31:13 – 38:05]

• A flood of ex-fleet secondhand EVs has made them more accessible.
• Early panic about battery degradation has subsided due to battery health certificates/tests.
• Comparison with combustion cars: EVs are cheaper to run, and fears of costly battery replacement are mostly unfounded.
• “Don’t worry about the battery. The rest of the car, everything can go wrong—[but] the battery is the least of your worries.” — Robert Llewellyn [37:35]

9. Maintenance, Repair, and Industry Adaptation

[36:06 – 37:35]

• Australian mechanics and industry bodies now offer robust EV servicing and battery management training.
• Hybrids paved the way; increased scale drives further upskilling.

10. Public Charging Infrastructure & User Experience

[38:38 – 45:38]

• Massive recent growth: network expansion eliminated most “charging deserts”.
• Visitor-friendly systems, improved app/payment compatibility, accessibility, and “plug-and-charge” being rolled out.
• Disability access is a focus (e.g., in South Australia).
• “We’ve doubled [charger sites] in the last year… If one’s busy, there’s another. And that has really changed in the last year.” — James Pickering [44:00]

11. Destination Charging & Tourism Tie-Ins

[46:07 – 49:38]

• Hotels, motels, and restaurants increasingly offer (and often charge for) destination chargers.
• Tourism boards and government grants drive further rollout.

12. The On-Street & Strata Charging Challenge

[50:35 – 58:19]

• 70–80% of Australians can park off-street and easily charge at home.
• For the remainder: innovation abounds—swing arm chargers, cord covers, gully charging trials, pole chargers, charger sharing (e.g., via neighbor’s driveway), and improved apartment/strata policies.
• “I really think it’ll be a mix of all of the above… All these solutions have to come together to work.” — James Pickering [53:31]
• One-third of Australians rent, requiring landlord cooperation and policy support for tenant EV adoption.

13. Looking Ahead: Culture Change, Kids, and the Normalization of EVs

[58:55 – 63:33]

• New apartment complexes increasingly pre-wire for EV chargers.
• Future generations will take EV charging for granted.
• “My kids learned to drive in an EV. I had to take them to a petrol station and say, ‘this is how you buy petrol. Don’t touch it, don’t sniff it, wash your hands…’” — James Pickering [60:38]
• The “debate phase” (will EVs catch on?) is over; it’s now all about practical adoption and further growth.

Memorable Quotes

• On EV Growth:
  “When I bought my first car, I was the second EV in the suburb... now there’s seven on my block.”
  — James Pickering [07:39]

• On Solar-Powered Commuting:
  “Last week, I charged both my EVs and I got paid 75 cents for the privilege.”
  — James Pickering [17:55]

• On Maintenance Myths:
  “Don’t worry about the battery. The rest of the car, everything can go wrong—[but] the battery is the least of your worries.”
  — Robert Llewellyn [37:35]

• On Cultural Change:
  “When you look back on it, you see the value of the change. When you’re looking forward, you see the fear.”
  — James Pickering [60:59]

• On AEVA’s Longevity:
  “We’re the world’s longest continuously running electrical association. 1973, formed in response to national security and supply chain security.”
  — James Pickering [19:51]

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Backgrounds & AEVA’s History [03:55–06:02; 19:14–21:53]
• Market Growth & Model Availability [07:09–11:45]
• Shifting Attitudes & Polarization [12:02–15:44]
• Role of Solar & Grid Economics [15:44–19:14]
• Secondhand Market & Affordability [31:13–38:05]
• Public Charging Improvements [38:38–45:38]
• Strata, On-Street, & Rental Solutions [50:35–58:19]
• Culture Change & Kids Learning EVs [58:55–63:33]

Final Thoughts

The episode offers an optimistic, nuanced view of Australia’s EV transformation—anchored both in grassroots experience and institutional memory. James Pickering’s breadth of perspective and Robert Llewellyn’s humorous candor chart how far Australia’s come, from DIY tinkerers and “wedges of cheese” to a multi-brand, mass-market EV boom grounded in solar energy, local innovation, and increasingly mainstream acceptance.

For listeners: Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, or elsewhere, this episode is both an inspiring snapshot of rapid change and a pragmatic guide to the challenges and solutions on the road to electrification.