The second annual Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge, “Retrofit Nation,” launched in Sydney during Climate Action Week.
The Challenge calls on Australian startups, entrepreneurs, scientists, and researchers to develop solutions for rapidly converting half of the country’s vehicle fleet — over 10 million vehicles — into electric vehicles (EVs).
This focus on retrofitting existing heavy vehicles aligns with a critical need. Transport contributes nearly 20 per cent of Australia’s emissions, with trucks, buses, and light commercial vehicles making up a significant portion.
Targeting this sector offers an opportunity for swift decarbonisation due to the relatively small pool of decision-makers who can influence large-scale change.
The economic benefits are also said to be significant, as a recent Beyond Zero Emissions report highlights battery technologies as a promising sector for Australian growth, with the potential to create 20,000 jobs and generate $114 billion in revenue by 2035.
The Challenge asks participants to address key questions:
- Next-generation drivetrain and battery solutions: How can we develop and manufacture these technologies at scale?
- Advanced manufacturing techniques: How can we invent and apply these techniques for efficient retrofitting?
- Software solutions: What software is needed to integrate new drivetrains with existing vehicle technology, incorporate advanced driver-assistance features, and maximise energy storage benefits (Vehicle-to-Grid)?
- Workforce development: How can we effectively train and upskill the workforce to complete safe and efficient retrofits?
Winning startups will receive prizes, support, networking opportunities, and mentorship to accelerate their success.
“Transport is an obvious target for reform, particularly in Australia with our reliance on road freight and use of mining vehicles. We need to encourage the supply of more EVs sooner into the Australian and global markets. Putting electric motors and batteries into existing vehicles at scale and massively increasing Australian battery demand is a sure-fire and fast-track way of getting it done,” said New Energy Nexus CEO Danny Kennedy.
The Challenge aims to not only reduce emissions but also create a skilled workforce and capture value from Australia’s abundant lithium resources.
“The mass EV retrofit opportunity can help to upskill the Australian workforce including electricians, mechanics, and software developers with critical skills in advanced manufacturing, batteries and EVs – essential for our economy in the future. The Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge will unleash innovation from the startup community and capture ideas that show how we can make this mass EV retrofit opportunity a reality,” said EnergyLab CEO Megan Fisher.
“Australia produces half of the world’s lithium yet retains less than 1 per cent of the value it produces. We can’t just keep sending our lithium offshore where others capture its value. It’s time we change this, together,” said Supercharge Australia Project Manager Kirk McDonald.
“We’d need $181 billion worth of batteries to retrofit half the Australian vehicle fleet, or 20x our current near-term forecast demand to 2030. This quantity would de-risk and incentivise lithium battery and cell production in Australia, in the best case using our world-class renewable energy resources.”
The Challenge aligns with the Prime Minister’s “Future Made in Australia” initiative and is expected to foster a broader advanced battery manufacturing ecosystem.
The inaugural Challenge saw startups raise over $40 million in funding.
Applications for the “Retrofit Nation” Challenge are expected to lead to further innovation and growth in Australian clean energy solutions.
The launch of the Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge “Retrofit Nation” took place on 16 May 2024, at EnergyLab Sydney.
