In this episode, we sit down with Tim and Renée McLennan, who embarked on a ground-breaking journey around Australia in their electric vehicle (EV) while towing a caravan.

There was plenty of speculation about the inadequacies of EVs when it came to long road trips and towing before the McLennan family went on their epic road trip around Australia.

From the planning stages to the unique challenges of long road trips and towing with an EV, the McLennan's share the highs and lows of their incredible family adventure on their big lap.

Discover how they embraced sustainable travel and navigated the new charging station network while exploring Australia’s vast landscapes over a 9-month journey.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:21) Meet the McLennan family: EV Adventurers

(1:00) The Motivation Behind the EV Road Trip

(5:06) Planning the Big Lap: Challenges and Strategies

(15:19) Towing a Caravan with an EV: Modifications and Impact

(22:10) Range Anxiety and Real-World Experiences

(24:08) Overcoming Range Anxiety

(26:33) Worst Case Scenarios on the Road

(28:18) Unexpected Challenges and Solutions

(32:28) Adventures and Pleasant Surprises

(40:06) Technical Aspects and Cost Savings

(43:52) Future of EV Travel

(45:05) Final Thoughts and Advice

Subscribe and share
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with friends and family. Whether you’re an EV enthusiast, considering the big lap, or looking for road trip inspiration, this episode has something for everyone.

Resources

• EV Charging Station Map: https://rac.com.au/travel-touring/maps-and-guides/ev-chargers

• Great Cars for Towing a Caravan: https://rac.com.au/horizons/drive/best-towing-vehicles
• Follow Tim and Renee’s adventures: ElecTrekking Australia | Facebook

Find us online

Website: rac.com.au/horizons

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HorizonsRAC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racwa/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racwa/

Legal disclaimer

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individual involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate(together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.  

In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Moir, the CEO of the Motor Trade Association of WA, to discuss a dynamic shift in the automotive landscape: the growing influx of new challenger car brands into Western Australia.

Deepal, Leapmotor, IM motors, Xpeng, Zeekr…

After decades of familiar international car brands, new names are emerging - many from China - which has become the global epicentre of car manufacturing. How will new the brands compete, and how do they stack up? How much confidence can consumers have in these young companies?

As legacy manufacturers face competition from emerging players — many of them electric and tech-driven — what does this mean for consumers and local dealerships? Stephen shares his insights on the opportunities this disruption could bring for innovation and consumer choice.

(0:00) Introduction to Emerging Car Brands

(1:42) The Rise of Japanese Car Brands in Australia

(6:18) The Impact of Korean Car Brands

(7:01) The Surge of Chinese Car Manufacturers

(12:52) Technological Innovations and Future Trends

(15:32) Challenges with EV Depreciation

(16:49) Innovative Features in New EVs

(18:52) Chinese Brands Making Waves

(25:00) The Future of Car Dealerships

(28:12) Autonomous Vehicles: The Next Frontier

(29:00) Legacy vs. New Brands: A Personal Take

(29:37) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Subscribe and share

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with friends and family interested in the future of WA’s automotive industry.

Resources

Will most of our cars soon come from China? 
https://rac.com.au/horizons/drive/chinese-cars-australia

Find us online

Website: rac.com.au/horizons

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HorizonsRAC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racwa/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racwa/

Legal disclaimer

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individual involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.  

In this episode, we delve into the evolving role of cul-de-sacs in Western Australia’s urban landscape. Are cul-de-sacs today’s urban planning black holes or the ultimate safe haven for families and neighbourly relations?

Once emblematic of suburban tranquillity and community cohesion, cul-de-sacs are now at the centre of urban planning debates. Are they outdated relics hindering connectivity, or do they still offer valuable community benefits? Join us as we explore their history, current challenges, and future prospects.

Guest expert

Cameron Leckey – President of the Planning Institute of Australia and Director at Rise Urban. Cameron provides insights into the planning philosophies behind cul-de-sac designs and discusses potential pathways for integrating them into modern urban planning strategies.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:47) History and Design of Cul-de-Sacs

(2:28) Challenges and Failures of Cul-de-Sacs

(6:44) Modern Approaches and Retrofitting

(12:13) Community and Safety in Cul-de-Sacs

(17:59) Future of Urban Planning and Cul-de-Sacs

(22:33) Reviving Traditional Street Life

(23:35) Crime Prevention Through Design

(24:32) Challenges of Retrofitting Urban Areas

(25:28) Current Urban Planning Principles

(27:13) Designing Streets for Safety

(28:10) Encouraging Community Connectivity

(29:44) Balancing Commercial and Community Needs

(34:13) The Role of Trees in Urban Planning

(35:15) Evaluating Urban Planning Success

(39:20) The Future of Cul-de-Sacs

(44:37) Ideal Street Design

Subscribe and share

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with friends and family interested in urban planning and community development.

Resources

Has The Cul-de-sac Hit a Dead End? – Horizons website rac.com.au/horizons/lifestyle/dead-end-cul-de-sac

Find us online

Website: Horizons

YouTube: youtube.com/@HorizonsRAC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racwa/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racwa/

Legal disclaimer

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.  

The Horizons by RAC podcast puts a WA-focus on a range of issues impacting how we live, work and travel around our cities and towns, from the cost of motoring to the new technologies and social trends that are shaping our future.

We talk to industry experts to delve into some of the greatest challenges facing Western Australians and see what's on the horizon.

Perth is one of the world’s most sprawling cities but with one of the lowest population densities. This is going to place immense pressure on how we get around in the future.  What will our cars even look like then, and what will be fuelling them?

There’ll be stories of inspiration as well, with remarkable accounts of survival from those given a second chance by the RAC Rescue helicopters.

And we’ll speak to those who are working hard to drive positive change in WA and create safer and more connected communities across our vast state.

All this and much, much more on RAC's Horizons podcast. We hope you can join us for some interesting, informative, and at times, eye-opening discussions.

Website: Horizons

YouTube: Horizons by RAC - YouTube

Instagram: RAC WA (@racwa)

---The opinions contained in this podcast may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.