A wide-ranging conversation on petrol/gasoline prices and electric vehicles (EVs). The conversation explores the peculiar economic phenomenon that is Australia’s petrol price cycle. What drives it and how can consumers make it work for them? Show host Gene Tunny and his guest Tim Hughes then discuss the big issues around replacing petrol-powered vehicles with EVs. What does it mean for total electricity demand and what challenges do we face in adopting EVs?

Links relevant to the conversation

Australian Financial Review article (paywalled) quoting Ampol CEO saying EVs have to be 50% cheaper before widespread take up: https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/ampol-profit-more-than-doubles-on-refining-revival-20220822-p5bbni

Recent oil price news: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-prices-rise-after-saudi-says-opec-could-cut-output-2022-08-23/

Brent crude oil price: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-25/can-lucky-country-australia-become-a-battery-mineral-superpower/101358050

Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions (ACCC) monitoring of Australia’s petrol price cycle: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/petrol-diesel-lpg/petrol-price-cycles#petrol-prices-in-brisbane

Information on Queensland’s electric superhighway: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/projects/electricvehicles/super-highway

Queensland Government website on environmental benefits of EVs: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/projects/electricvehicles/hitting-the-road

The Grattan Car Plan which includes lots of useful data on EVs: https://grattan.edu.au/report/grattan-car-plan/

John Freebairn on fuel excise in Australia: https://theconversation.com/what-is-petrol-excise-and-why-does-australia-have-it-anyway-179373

Drive magazine article on impact of EVs on electricity use: https://www.drive.com.au/news/electric-cars-could-have-big-impact-on-australia-s-energy-supply/

Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) paper on integrating EVs in the power grid: https://www.aemc.gov.au/news-centre/media-releases/integrating-electric-vehicles-power-system

Economics Explored EP113 - Lithium and the new energy revolution with Lukasz Bednarski: https://economicsexplored.com/2021/11/13/ep113-lithium-and-the-new-energy-revolution-with-lukasz-bednarski/

ABC News report As EVs drive a mining revolution, will Australia become a battery minerals superpower?: 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-25/can-lucky-country-australia-become-a-battery-mineral-superpower/101358050

Thanks to Josh Crotts for mixing the episode and to the show’s sponsor, Gene’s consultancy business www.adepteconomics.com.au. 

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