The Driven: Recent Episodes
The Driven
Join RenewEconomy founder and editor Giles Parkinson and guests discussing exciting news and developments in the world of electric vehicles and transport.
Australian BEV sales pass the 20% mark for the second month in a row as Geely's best-selling hatchback arrives on Australian shores. Why we think Subaru's Uncharted is one of the best drives on the market. Plus, news of the week.
EVs have hit another record high in Australia, with Tesla and BYD leading a landmark month for the local car market. We unpack the June sales figures, including the Tesla Model Y topping the charts, BYD coming within striking distance of Toyota, and the car lobby acknowledging what looks like a permanent structural shift in the market.Plus, we speak Mike Atkinson about advanced driver assistance systems, and what the car industry can learn from aviation when it comes to automation, safety and driver responsibility.
This week on The Driven Podcast, we talk Subaru’s Trailseeker, Kia’s new PV5 Cargo van, what's making the Jaecoo J5 so popular, and some new brands planning their way in the Australian market. We also unpack the sometimes confusing world of EV range claims. Plus, news of the week.
Australia’s EV market has delivered its biggest month yet, with electric cars reaching more than 20 per cent market share and the Tesla Model Y becoming the country’s best-selling vehicle. Plus, first impressions of Cadillac’s new electric SUVs, and the latest EV news.
We dig into the IEA's 2026 Global EV Outlook which says ICE vehicles peaked in 2017, BYD’s move to build its own export armada, and why legacy car makers are being dragged into a price war they may not be built to win.
Sarah Aubrey joins for the first time as co-host of The Driven Podcast as we unpack a record month for EV sales, the ACT’s extraordinary 34 per cent EV share, and what the next phase of the federal EV tax break could mean for buyers, novated leases and car makers.
Vehicle-to-grid has the potential to reshape how we think about energy, turning EVs into flexible storage that can support households and the grid.But how close are we really?In this episode, Sam speaks with Portia Rooney about the global state of V2G, what Australia can learn from leading markets, and what needs to happen next to make it mainstream.
Most EV owners charge at home. But what if you live in an apartment?This week, Charlie Richardson, COO and co-founder of NOX Energy, helps to unpack a project that might finally offer an answer, and explore what it actually takes to make EV charging work at scale in apartments.
The first results from Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard are in, but with tougher limits coming, what does it mean for EV sales and the wider car market? Plus, we discuss the Jaecoo J5, Hyundai Elexio, and why electric trucks could play a key role in Australia’s energy security.
Co-founder of New Energy Transport Daniel Bleakley explains how electric trucks are performing in real-world freight operations, and why the economics are starting to stack up.
Tim Eden and Riz Akhtar join to help review the year that was in EVs, share their predictions for 2026, and discuss what’s most likely to shape the market in the year ahead.
Some of Australia’s most remote EV chargers aren’t powered by the grid, they’re powered by chip fat.Lisa Marsh, CEO of eLumina joins us to help unpack how off-grid, battery-integrated charging is making EV travel possible on some of the most remote highways in Australia.
In this special live edition of The Driven Podcast, we explore how Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology could turn every EV into part of Australia’s clean-energy network. Recorded live at the Everything Electric Show Melbourne.
Ahead of the Everything Electric Show in Melbourne, Robert Llewellyn returns to The Driven Podcast to chat about where the transition’s working, where it’s stalling, and why optimism still matters.
Sarah Aubrey from Electrify This returns to help unpack a big week in EV news.BYD is bringing its most affordable electric car yet to Australian shores, we ask what that could mean for Australia’s EV market. Kia reveals new details on its upcoming all-electric PV5 van, and VW’s ID. Buzz GTX gets a run. Plus: Is the idea of bringing back local car manufacturing anything more than political rhetoric?
Everything Electric CEO Dan Caesar joins The Driven Podcast to discuss the evolution from YouTube to international EV festivals, Europe’s tipping point for EVs, and his new mission to accelerate adoption through Electric Vehicles UK.
Tim Eden joins Sam to unpack Origin’s vehicle-to-grid trial, the shifting EV strategies of Porsche and Volkswagen, and the latest Australian EV sales trends. Plus, producer Tanya Shukla shares a passenger’s-eye view of Tesla FSD Supervised.
Veteran motoring journalist Byron Mathioudakis joins The Driven Podcast to unpack the week’s EV stories, share insights from decades of car testing, and give his take on where the electric transition is headed.
Škoda Elroq launches in Australia, how will it stack up? Plus, we discuss Nio’s Firefly and its ambitious battery-swapping tech, break down the latest EV speed records, and other news of the week.
Tom Rose from Evnex on the shift to smart EV charging and how electricity retailers need to adapt.
CEO and co-founder of Jaunt Motors chats classic car conversions. Plus, Giles Parkinson returns to talk MG, Essential Energy's V2G play, and news of the week.
Energy advocate and 'Electrify This' creator Sarah Aubrey joins The Driven Podcast to talk home electrification, virtual power plants, and why EV adoption in Australia needs more than just flashy new models.
This week on The Driven Podcast, Sam Parkinson, Tim Eden and Ed Lynch-Bell unpack Europe’s latest EV trends, BYD’s V2G bundle, and Tesla’s $4.20 robotaxi. Plus — why car-share EVs might drive the next big grid shift.
Tim Eden and Riz Akhtar join Sam Parkinson to discuss the latest EV sales data, Hyundai's latest small EV, and what's next for Tesla.
Tesla Australia boss Thom Drew on the release of the new Model Y, and supercharger plans. Plus: Riz, Tim and Sam discuss recent test drives and news of the week.
The Driven's Sam Parkinson, Tanya Shukla, and Tim Eden discuss Gen Z's take on electric vehicles, what the refreshed Model Y has to offer, and the news of the week.
As Kia launches its new EV3, head of product Roland Rivero discusses the company's grand plan. Plus: The Driven team discuss the latest EV news.
AEVA’s Chris Jones on the state of the EV market, and what consumers want from government policy. Plus: The Driven team gets together to discuss what caught their eye at Everything Electric.
Fully Charged's Robert Llewellyn on Chinese EVs that make a lot of beeping noises, Elon Musk, and what to expect at Everything Electric.
Oliver Hill, from Race to 2030, on the new roadmap for turning electric cars into mobile batteries, and who is doing what on V2G.
We review the past year, look to the interesting arrivals in 2025, contemplate the Tesla conundrum, and talk to EV conversion specialist Nick Cummins from ElectroGusto.
A trial of EV charging tariffs, including a low priced "solar soak" produced some interests results, and an insight into ICE-ing habits. Miles Menegon from Chargefox explains.
One of the world’s biggest makers of electric buses has plans for Australia. We talk to Kent Chang of Yutong. Plus: The shift to V2G and Tesla’s sales slump.
Windrose, a newly emerging maker of electric heavy trucks, has just completed a road trip from Melbourne to Sydney and has its eyes on the Australian market. Advisor Jason Roycht explains why it might not just be Chinese EVs on our roads.
We take a drive in the new Polestar 3, and talk to the company's Australia boss Scott Maynard about the EV industry and the rollout of the company's new models.
Smart delivers its first EVs into Australian market and we talk to chief designer Kai Sieber. Plus: Stagnating EV sales, do we blame the Elon effect, FUD, or cost of living?
Another electric van is about to enter Australia's nascent market, but they are already hugely popular in Europe. Here's why.
More than 2.6 million people live in apartment buildings. What if they want to buy an EV and charge it? Jeff Sykes from Solar Choice explains.
Bjorn Sturmburg from ANU on a landmark event where Nissan Leaf EVs in Canberra proved they could help stabilise the grid when a giant coal plant went out of action.
Danny Kennedy from New Energy Nexus on plans to turn the Australian truck fleet electric, and keeping up with US.
Sarah White and Shane Parker have towed their caravan with both a Tesla Model 3 (around Australia), and their BYD Atto 3. They even shared the news with Scotty from Marketing.
Robert Llewellyn Fully Charged front man Robert Llewellyn discusses his favourite EVs, and plans for Australia’s biggest EV and home energy conference in Sydney next week.
Mark Gregory from Flinders University discusses the development of vehicle to grid technology, and the future of cars as batteries on wheels.
EV Maritime's Michael Eaglen on why we may soon be catching electric ferries to work in our harbour cities.
Don Imrie, the head of sales of Ebusco Australia, on electric transport and plugging in to a car charger en route to Sydney. Plus: record EV sales in Australia.
Cory Steuben from Munro Associates on the epiphany on EVs. Plus: News of the week including MG’s budget MG4, and Tesla’s charging coup.
NRMA Energy boss Carly Irving-Dolan on motoring group's plans to start billing for fast charging, reliability, and going off grid with new fast-chargers. Plus: News of the week.
The story of “Atto Gal”s epic journey from Perth to Sydney and back in an electric BYD, and what she learned along the way. Plus: China’s big EV play.
Stanford University’s Tony Seba on the accelerating shift to electric, and how EVs will change the face of the car industry forever.
SEA Electric’s Tony Fairweather on electric trucks. Plus: Battery breakthroughs, Tesla’s big new game plan, and Australia’s EV strategy.
Robert Llewellyn talks electric vehicles ahead of the first Fully Charged EV show to be held in Australia next month.
Ed Darmanin on avoiding trials and tribulations on recent back road trip to the top end on his electric Harley Davidson Livewire.
We test drive a heavy duty electric truck, and interview key players in an industry that is going electric faster than most people can imagine.
Australian startup plans to convert Toyota Hiluxes and other utes into EVs on a commercial scale, and then create Australia’s first home-made electric ute.
We have our first ride in the new BYD Atto 3 and talk to distributor EV Direct’s Troy Todd
EV sales in Australia, and around the world, are hitting new heights, driven largely by Tesla. But MG has returned with an improved sub-$50,000 electric offering.
Hertz vice president Eoin Macneill on the Polestar 2 EVs now available at most airports. Plus: Model Y and Atto 3 deliveries break supply deadlock.
Greg Balkins from Transit Systems was not sure what to expect when the first electric buses rolled out on Sydney routes. It turns out he needn’t have worried - they have performed far better than expected, and the passengers, drivers and mechanics love them.
NRMA CEO Rohan Lund on fast charger plans, the member shift to EVs, and his frustration at not being able to find an electric people mover.
We talk to Werner Tietz and Kai Vogler about the launch of the Cupra Born long range electric hatch in Australia.
Duncan Mallord set out to ride from Australia’s lowest point to its highest on an all electric Harley Davidson, and discovered a new way to enjoy motorcycle touring.
Finnish company Kempower has redesigned EV chargers to utilise what power is available with as many cars as possible.
The Australian EV start-up founded by a former driver that is rolling out battery swap technology to turn big trucks electric.
Malcolm Turnbull on his family's shift to electric, Morrison's lies on EVs, and the pressing need to stop burning fossil fuels.
Queensland transport minister Mark Bailey explains why Tesla not included in state rebate scheme for EVs.
Labor’s Chris Bowen discusses his new Tesla Model 3, what it means for Labor’s EV policy, and shares his views on the latest moves to accelerate coal closures.
“Never in my wildest dreams”: Kia Australia’s Damien Meredith amazed by huge interest in EV6 and speed of electric shift.
Saul Griffith says Australia should lead world on electrifying everything, starting with cars and households. He plans to turn his old Monaro into an EV too.
Bill Shorten may no longer be leader of the Labor Party, but he does own a Tesla, becoming the first federal MP to go electric as part of his parliamentary package. Did it ruin his weekend?
NSW energy minister Matt Kean on why he chose a Tesla Model 3, the state’s EV and renewables vision, and getting out of coal.
Engie’s head of green mobility in Australia on the company’s plans to be a major supplier of EV chargers and its interest in V2G.
Clean Energy Finance Corp boss Ian Learmonth has an EV, but no garage, and struggles to find a fast EV charger in the city. He shares his views on the EV transition.
How two brothers from Queensland coal country launched into the electric motorbike market.
Peter Nattrass, head of Future Industries with the South Australian government, on why camping grounds and motels are key to EV charging network.
Daniel Bleakley on why his Coal miners in Teslas video series has been such a hit, and how his Model 3 performance EV is helping to reduce fears about the future.
Nigel Morris talks about the transition to electric motorbikes with animator and film-maker and electric motorcycle YouTuber Sam Baker.
We test drive the new Kia Niro, talks to Nissan’s Ben Warren on progress on vehicle-to-grid, and to Solar Victoria’s Stan Krpan on the state’s EV subsidy.
We talk to RACQ head of policy Rebecca Michael about the electric vehicle transition in Queensland.
We talk to Origin Energy’s head of mobility, and head of strategy, Chau Le, about the utility’s new push into electric vehicles.
Tasmania as just completed its fast charging network that serves the entire state. We speak to Electric Highway boss Clive Attwater about what this means for EV tourism.
The famous MG brand - now China owned - has launched its first electric car in Australia and has big ambitions. We talk to MG Australia’s head of development, and take the MG ZS EV for a drive.
Nexport’s Luke Todd on plans to import four electric vehicle models from China’s BYD, and creating a platform for more EV makers to import directly into Australia.
The Driven’s resident bikie Nigel Morris takes the Harley Davidson Livewire for a ride, and ponders the question: Is an electric hog still a hog?
New Tritium CEO Jane Hunter assesses the electric vehicle landscape in Australia, the market for fast-charges, government policy, and declining fossil fuel car sales.
A panel of experts from UNSW and overseas discuss the potential of solar paint and its ability to power electric cars.
EV’s are an obvious solution for Australia’s precarious fuel security and its dependence on fuel imports. Former RAAF deputy chief John Blackburn explains why.
Most EV owners want to charge their vehicle batteries with their own solar power. Inverter makers are making that easier.
AGL’s head of distributed energy Dominique van den Berg on some remarkable predictions for EVs, who will own them and their role as a virtual power plant.
Evie Networks boss Chris Mills explains why the company’s first ultra-fast EV charging station is part of its preparation for a world of autonomous vehicles.
Dave Budge from Jaunt Motors joins The Driven podcast to explain why old Land-Rovers are being converted to electric, and plans to make them a rental car.
The first retro-fit is just about ready to be delivered, and there is a growing queue.
UNSW students Matthew Holohan and Jed Cruickshank describe the challenge of driving a solar-powered electric car across Australia.
SEA Electric boss Tony Fairweather predicts that within five to 10 years, all delivery vans in Australia will be electric.
ACT climate change minister Shane Rattenbury outlines the territory’s zero emissions strategy for transport, starting with the government fleet.
Greensync’s Phil Blythe on why a pilot in Wellington may provide a blueprint of how to integrate consumer charging habits and the needs of the grid.
AEMO is looking at how electric vehicles fit into the grid. AEMO’s Greg Staib even imagines them used as batteries at peak times. Pity if you are trying to flag down a share car at the same time.
Everyone assumes that the electric vehicle transition will happen anyway. But Alina Dini, from the Institute of Future Environments, asks: Has anyone asked the consumer what they want?
Anna Skarbek, the head of ClimateWorks Australia, on the key role of electric vehicles in meeting emissions reduction targets, and why they already make financial sense for fleet owners.
Tim Washington from Jet Charge on why household batteries may replace electric vehicles, and why they may be more valuable as batteries on wheels, rather than wheels with batteries.
Behyad Jafari, Paul Cox and Stephanie Bashir wrap up the Electric Vehicle Transition Conference and look at what’s ahead.
Nissan has released its next generation Leaf electric vehicle, with twice the range and the chance to power the home. We take it for a drive.
Andrew Borschberg co-piloted the Solar Impulse plane that went round the world on solar power only. He says the future of flight is electric, from passenger plants to intra-city flying pods.
Nissan’s head of electrification and mobility in Australia, Ben Warren, discussed new generation Leaf and its vehicle to home and vehicle to grid technology.
You know electric vehicles are entering the mainstream when they form a major highlight of solar expos. Nigel Morris tells us what he found at Munich’s Intersolar event.
Simon Hackett owns one of only two electric plans in Australia, and explains why they beat jet fuel and why we may all soon be flying in one.
Greg McGarvie from ACE-EV discusses plans to begin assembly, and then maybe full manufacturing, of an all-electric “cargo” car in Adelaide.
With the energy transition in the main grid gathering pace, more focus is turning to de-carbonising transport. We talk to Australian engineer Stephanie Moroz, who has worked in all three sectors, about the pros and cons of biofuels, batteries and hydrogen.
Labor climate change spokesman Mark Butler says he is stunned by the Coalition campaign against EVs, and spells out how Labor will reach its 50% EV target.
The Hyundai Kona is described as a “game-changer” for electric vehicles in Australia, delivering a long range option at a cheaper price than before. So how does it rate?
Robert Llewellyn is a comedian an actor who was best known for his role as the “mechanoid” Kryten in the iconic series Red Dwarf, but is now telling millions about the transition to electric vehicles.
Denis Savic talks to Nigel Morris about his vision for building electric motorcycles in Australia.
Michelle Nazzari discuses how she came to establish an Australian-based electric scooter manufacturer that is now looking to push up into electric motorbikes.
Tritium co-founder and chief technology officer James Kennedy joins The Driven podcast to outline how a small group of solar car enthusiasts founded a Brisbane-based company that is now a world leading in electric vehicle fast charging stations.
We talk to Electric Vehicle Council boss Behyad Jafari about the year just gone and what to expect in 2019.
A test drive with the Jaguar I-Pace and an interview with the company’s head of product development.
In this week’s podcast, we test drive the full electric Ioniq and chat with Hyundai’s head of future mobility.
Hyundai launches Ioniq range, including first battery EV under $50,000, while the EV crowd show off their wares at a V8 festival in Newcastle.
At the recent Australian Electric Vehicle Association exhibition in Brisbane you could barely miss it – in between the glamorous Jaguar I-Pace and a Tesla Model S – was a bright red VW beetle: a 1964 version and fully electric.
How the World Solar Challenge led to a solar-powered trip around the world and the development of light-weight solar taxis that will save lives in Africa.
Excitement is growing in the Australian electric vehicle market: more charging infrastructure is being funded, governments are stating to move on policies, and new models are about to be made available.
The emergence of electric vehicles and smart charging technology is presenting a world of opportunities, linking consumers, transport and grids.
Simon Hackett made his fortune in the dot.com boom and is now the largest shareholder in battery storage maker Redflow. He’s also Australia’s biggest fan of Tesla electric vehicles.
Chief scientist Alan Finkel shares his love of electric vehicles, his charging needs, his views on autonomous driving and the prospects of fuel cell electric vehicles.
Why all new cars will be electric by 2025, and why your next purchase could be your last. An interview with Tony Seba.