KEYNOTE & INVITED SPEAKERS
The Hon Peter Gutwein
The Hon Peter Gutwein was the 46th Premier of Tasmania and one of the State’s longest serving Treasurers. His Government oversaw the state generating 100% of its energy from renewable sources and achieving net-zero emissions, which no other Australian jurisdiction and very few other places in the world can claim. His government legislated a target for Tasmania to achieve a 200% renewable energy target by 2040, creating the platform for significant renewable investment opportunities.He now works with companies on the leading edge of emission reduction technologies and works with the boards and executive teams of companies in the maritime, agriculture, transport and offshore wind sectors. He also Chairs MRC Tas, which oversees the federal Government’s humanitarian refugee settlement program in Tasmania. In terms of the maritime sector, he provides strategic advice to the board and executive team of Incat who are currently building the worlds largest battery electric ship and leading the world in the transition to large battery electric zero emission ferries.
Bjorn Siem
Bjorn has over 16 years of fleet management experience including planning and managing the fleet for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He has supported multiple government departments reduce their emissions through technology shifts and driver training. Bjorn first drove an EV in 2010 and learned about V2G in 2012 which blew his mind. He has been an advocate ever since.Drawing on his experience in developing and implementing Queensland's first Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy, he is now assisting the Australian Government implement the National EV Strategy. Bjorn uses his Norwegian heritage to learn from the most progressive EV country in the world and regularly interact with contacts in many EV related fields. Bjorn is a vegan married father of four and enjoy trail running and driving the family's two EVs.
Christopher Walkden
Christopher Walkden is the Maintenance Manager at Electric Highway Tasmania. Now the largest charge point operator in Tasmania, EHT was founded and is run by AEVA members who saw that public infrastructure is a prerequisite for the widespread adoption of EVs.
Dunstan
Power
Dunstan Power, chartered electronics engineer and Cambridge University alumnus, has been working in the electronics design industry since 1992.He co-founded ByteSnap in 2008, a multi-award-winning electronics design consultancy specialising in low-power hardware and software engineering. He was part of the engineering team that developed EV chargers for the London 2012 Olympics. In response to the growing demand for eMobility engineering experience and services, Dunstan founded Versinetic EV charging design consultancy, working with manufacturers worldwide to accelerate their EV chargers and systems with custom electronics and software. An experienced and sought-after speaker, Dunstan is an industry-thought leader who has presented on a range of EV charger- and electronics design-related topics in the UK and internationally.
Jaad Clifford
Jaad is the Head of Clean Mobility at Mondo, a subsidiary of AusNet (a Brookfield company). Jaad has 10 years of experience in the energy sector, working across demand management, asset operation and services, business development, and energy project development functions. Prior to joining AusNet/Mondo Jaad led business development for Fluence Energy in Australia, the world leader in grid-scale energy storage system integration. He has an Executive MBA and a background in Electrical Engineering and financial markets
Clive
Attwater
Clive oversees the main operational aspects of EHT including communications with charger suppliers, charger network operators, site hosts, Tas Networks and related organisations. Clive is a founding member of the Tasmanian State branch of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA), former State Treasurer and National Vice-President.Clive originated the Electric Highway Working Group that consisted of TasNetworks, Hydro Tasmania, RACT and the three regional development authorities. As part of his work with that group he undertook a tour of seven European charging networks, visits to charging manufacturers, electric vehicle associations in several countries, car dealers/distributors and relevant government authorities.Clive is AEVA’s representative on the Tasmanian Government's Electric Vehicle Working Group. He is also a major shareholder in EHT.Clive has over 25 years of experience as a management consultant specialising in feasibility studies, cost benefit analysis, financial analysis, strategic planning and development economics. He is currently focused on ensuring that Tasmania has the best state-wide electric vehicle charging network in Australia.
Grahame McCabe
Graham is a transport planner and traffic engineer with over 25 years’ experience in developing and leading innovative transport planning and traffic engineering projects.Graham has deep experience and understanding in the interrelationship between land-use, activity and transport.He has developed innovative designs to enable improved connectivity at a human and city scale, and specialises in cost effective, holistic transport solutions.
Dr Chris Jones
Trained in chemistry and plant biochemistry, Chris spent the first half of his career as a genetic engineer, using technology to identify specialised metabolic pathways in nature. He left academia in 2012 to focus on electric vehicles, particularly battery electric motorcycles. In the decade since, he has built high performance battery packs for numerous applications, and now lectures in physics, material science, electronics and energy sector fields at South Metropolitan TAFE WA. Chris Jones is the current president of the AEVA, and has represented the WA branch through various committee roles since joining AEVA in 2010. He sees equity in electrification as a key guiding force, and takes a keen interest in advancing policies which enable this.
Dr Elliot Fishman
Elliot has over 18 years’ experience as a transport planner. He completed his PhD at the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety and is ranked by Stanford University in the top 2% of scientists globally, for his impact in transport. He is the Institute’s lead on EV policy, overall charging network planning and advisory to local government. He has been involved in over two dozen EV charging projects, across all three levels of government. This includes advising inner city councils on charging for residents that do not have off street car parking, suburban LGAs and charging in remote and rural areas.
Laura
Jones
Laura Jones is a distinguished researcher and leader in sustainability and renewable energy with the Australian National University. She is also a co-founder of Circular PV Alliance, where she promotes sustainable practices in the photovoltaic industry. Laura's multidisciplinary expertise spans engineering and social science, allowing her to tackle complex challenges with innovative solutions. Her research focuses on vehicle-to-grid, distributed energy, circular economy practices in solar energy, and just transitions. Laura actively shares her insights through publications and presentations, establishing herself as a thought leader in sustainable energy.
Dr Robin Smit
Dr Robin Smit is a Director at Transport Energy/Emission Research (TER) and an Adjunct Professor with the University of Technology Sydney. Robin founded TER in 2019. TER collaborates with a large network of global experts, university researchers, consultants and statisticians. He has almost 30 years work experience in emission, air pollution and climate projects in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East. His passion is transport emission measurement, modelling, fleet turnover simulation and advancing science using in-depth analysis and statistical methods.
Richard
Laxton
Richard an IT professional and lifetime car enthusiast with a passion for electrification of ground transport. An EV owner for the last 5 years, he recently shifted to EV-related consulting full time. This has given him massive exposure to the extended EV industry, unique data, and opportunities to help businesses and individuals who are looking to decarbonise their transport. A dedicated road tripper, having completed his first EV lap of Australia at the end of 2023, and a single-day EV driving record of over 1800km, he has a unique perspective around public charging infrastructure. In his spare time, Richard enjoys going on “charger crawls” to check out and test all the infrastructure in an area.
Bryce Gaton
Bryce has more than fifteen years of experience with EVs and works to support business, government and the general public through the EV transition support consultancy EV Choice, as well as writing for Australia’s premier EV news site The Driven. He also provides formula SAE EV build safety training to a number of Australian universities.Some of his more recent projects include membership of the Project Steering Committee that developed an accredited course for electricians on EV charging as well as working on a Standards Australia sub-committee developing a Publicly Available Standard (PAS) for understanding domestic and commercial EV charging needs and solutions.In his spare time Bryce writes on EV topics for Renew magazine as well as being the writer behind the EV car model Fact Sheets and webpage found on the AEVA (Australian Electric Vehicle Association) national website.
Nick Stowe
With more than seven years’ experience in fleet management, Nick is privileged to be part of this once in a lifetime change in vehicle technology and infrastructure and helping to drive the transition to electric vehicles for Australia’s leading renewable energy generator. Nick is passionate about electric vehicles and the benefits they provide both at home and in a business fleet. He is excited for what the next few years will bring for Australia’s rapidly growing electric vehicle market.
Matthew Perkins, Smartrak's Marketing Manager, brings a long-standing career and extensive experience in the fleet management sector. Passionate about the electrification of fleets to drive sustainability, he advocates for sustainable business practices while maximizing operational efficiency. Matthew possesses a deep understanding of technology and its role in supporting sustainable and efficient fleet operations. His expertise and commitment to innovative solutions make him a key contributor to advancing Smartrak's mission of creating a future centered around sustainable transportation.
Steve Blume
Steve Blume is one of Australia’s most experienced energy experts and advocates with more than 25 years experience in the energy sector after 25 years in Information Technology & Communications. Steve Blume is Secretary and Immediate Past President (13 years) of the Australian Smart Energy Council (SEC) and was Vice-Chair of the Global Solar Council (GSC) until 2024. Long term International Solar Energy Society (ISES) Member & former ISES Director & VP Public Affairs. He is also Treasurer, Pacific & NZ Smart Energy Council; Director, Australian Institute of Energy and Director (Steering Committee Chair), Asia PV Industry Association, and Chair, SolarShare Community Energy Ltd. Steve is also CEO of NoCarbon Pty Ltd, engaged in smart energy consulting, advocacy & advice as well as on Boards of other NFPs and private companies. Steve is a former political adviser, private & public sector senior executive, and change advocate, fighting for zero carbon energy policies and technological solutions to urgently & rapidly reduce emissions causing global heating and climate change. He support the continued work on advancement of renewables & energy decarbonisation transition globally with a particular focus on SE Asia & Pacifika energy needs.
Adam Moore
With 25 years of extensive experience in the marine industry, Adam Moore currently serves as the Senior Manager of Assets at the NRMA. In this role, he has successfully overseen the design, construction, and commissioning of 19 ferries over the past 12 years, demonstrating a commitment to innovative marine solutions. Adam adopts a whole-of-life approach to managing vessels, ensuring optimal performance and sustainability. He is responsible for providing Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) with assurance and compliance reporting for the NRMA's contracted fleets. Adam is particularly passionate about leveraging emissions-saving technologies, a commitment that is fully supported by his role at NRMA. Prior to his current position, Adam held key roles as Engineering Manager at Transdev Sydney Ferries and Asset Manager at Sealink, where he honed his expertise in marine asset management and operational excellence.
About AEVA
The Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) LTD is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the cause of switching Australia's transport networks to electric drive as quickly as possible. We all share a common interest in electromobility and climate-friendly transport. Formed after the oil price shocks of 1973, the AEVA is the longest continuously running EV society in the world. We represent all EV users and enthusiasts, current and prospective, and are more than happy to offer jargon-free advice on which EV is right for you. We also make regular submissions to government and industry about policies which will help transition to electric drive, and away from imported fossil fuels for transport.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the muwinina people, the traditional owners of the Land upon which we work, and we pay our respect to Aboriginal Elders; past and present. We respect all Tasmanian Aboriginal people, their culture and their rights as the first peoples of lutruwita.
Diversity Statement
The AEVA National Conference embraces diversity and inclusion, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds to contribute their unique perspectives and talents to the advancement of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. We recognize that diversity fuels innovation and progress, and thus we are committed to creating an environment where all attendees feel valued, respected, and empowered.