Everything Electric Podcast Australia's Renewable Revolution & the EV Boom — with Giles Parkinson
Dec 8, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Giles Parkinson, a journalist and founder of The Driven and RenewEconomy, dives into Australia's electric vehicle revolution and renewable energy prospects. He highlights the urgent need for EV infrastructure and reveals surprising data showing unstoppable EV adoption. Topics include the role of rooftop solar, innovative battery technologies, and ambitious renewable goals in South Australia. He also critiques the current political landscape and explores the rise of Chinese EV brands, painting a hopeful picture for a sustainable energy future.
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Home Batteries Are Changing The Grid
- Australia installed ~130,000 home batteries in about five months, massively shifting rooftop solar dynamics.
- Batteries soak up midday solar, flatten the duck curve and shift generation into evening demand peaks.
Solar+Batteries Eat Coal's Market
- Rooftop solar plus batteries undermines traditional baseload coal economics by shifting when power is consumed.
- Giles says this combination will 'eat the dinner' of coal generators by storing midday solar and supplying evening demand.
Rapid Grid Transition Is Feasible
- South Australia reaches very high renewables penetration frequently and averages 75% wind and solar now.
- Giles highlights a target of net 100% renewables by 2027, showing rapid grid transformation is possible.