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I find it sadly ironic that the industry that's responsible for most emissions and actively influences political position in this country to put profit before t

I find it sadly ironic that the industry that's responsible for most emissions and actively influences political position in this country to put profit before the environment is the one that this zero emissions car is being targeted at. With that said, bravo on the implementation and using the 79 as a very solid platform. The sales pitch of the article doesn't sound very compelling though, so I wonder how much success they'll have. Until they can hit a cost parity with diesels, it could be a bit of a slog.

roenxi 7y ago
(1) Most of the mines in Australia aren't coal mines. Maybe there is a case that Asia could prosper as they do without coal (I doubt it, but maybe) - but there is no way they could have prospered like they have without vast amounts of iron ore and copper. The environment absolutely takes a back seat to that outrageous level of prosperity. And even then, Australian mines are pretty environmentally sensitive. Also, Australia seems to be ~40% of world's lithium production [0]. Probably not going to complain about the emissions those mines kick up. So basically, don't be sad. Maybe try for proud wonder. (2) You'll often see solar panels in mines too (setting up infrastructure to a grid is hard work) and I suspect mine rehab would often be a good place to erect some windfarms. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Australia#Statistical_chart_of_Australia's_major_mineral_resources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Australia#Statistica...
- reaperducer 7y ago
  You'll often see solar panels in mines too I know that you're talking about surface mining, but this phrase made me giggle because I thought about the other kind first.
- phs318u 7y ago
  Even when not directly responsible for emissions, the Australian mining sector has been notoriously and effectively climate denialist. As an industry, miners actively and successfully lobbied against the “carbon tax” implemented by the Gillard Labor government [0]. In fact, the then CEO of my former employer (Western Mining Corp, 90’s) Hugh Morgan, was then and still is an absolutely single-minded climate change denialist, despite WMC being primarily a nickel and uranium miner (at the time). But what’s even more ironic is the fact that in the election earlier this year, eventual PM Scott Morrison was lambasting the Labor leader Bill Shorten for his proposed policy of a ICE vehicle phaseout, saying that Bill wanted to take away people’s utes and “end the weekend” [1]. [0] https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/miners-dig-deep-to-battle-carbon-tax-20110816-i4c7y https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/miners-dig-deep-to-... [1] https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-09/utes-electric-cars-and-politics/10983298 https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-09/utes-electric-cars...
blompa 7y ago
Also ironically, the mining sector is also the driving factor behind a lot of renewable energy innovation projects in Australia. Since mining usually takes place in the middle of nowhere, utilising the sun/wind for energy makes things easier than having to transport fossil fuels long distances. https://arena.gov.au/projects/agnew-renewable-energy-microgrid/ https://arena.gov.au/projects/agnew-renewable-energy-microgr...
- nl 7y ago
  Also decomissioned mines are increasingly being used for pump-hydo, eg: https://www.genexpower.com.au/250mw-kidston-pumped-storage-hydro-project.html https://www.genexpower.com.au/250mw-kidston-pumped-storage-h...
  - dwd 7y ago
    Even better if they are right where the customers are. This would be awesome if they can make it work: https://www.arup.com/projects/bendigo-underground-pumped-hydro https://www.arup.com/projects/bendigo-underground-pumped-hyd...
- dwd 7y ago
  They are also leaders in utilising vehicle automation with many mines operating self-driving dump trucks with minimal remote supervision.
ageofwant 7y ago
Electrics have significant lower opex, it will make a fair dent in the considerable capex for this, especially given Australian labour costs. Also the article spruiks underground use, where air quality is always a consideration. So health and safety is also a plus. So I recon cost parity should be tempered by all the external positives, which for electrics is not insignificant.
senectus1 7y ago
FMG just signed a biggish deal for Solar PV to run the admin offices (and more): https://www.fmgl.com.au/docs/default-source/announcements/1986209.pdf?sfvrsn=9b4aab2a_6 https://www.fmgl.com.au/docs/default-source/announcements/19...

roenxi 7y ago

(1) Most of the mines in Australia aren't coal mines. Maybe there is a case that Asia could prosper as they do without coal (I doubt it, but maybe) - but there is no way they could have prospered like they have without vast amounts of iron ore and copper. The environment absolutely takes a back seat to that outrageous level of prosperity. And even then, Australian mines are pretty environmentally sensitive. Also, Australia seems to be ~40% of world's lithium production [0]. Probably not going to complain about the emissions those mines kick up. So basically, don't be sad. Maybe try for proud wonder. (2) You'll often see solar panels in mines too (setting up infrastructure to a grid is hard work) and I suspect mine rehab would often be a good place to erect some windfarms. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Australia#Statistical_chart_of_Australia's_major_mineral_resources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Australia#Statistica...

reaperducer 7y ago
You'll often see solar panels in mines too I know that you're talking about surface mining, but this phrase made me giggle because I thought about the other kind first.
phs318u 7y ago
Even when not directly responsible for emissions, the Australian mining sector has been notoriously and effectively climate denialist. As an industry, miners actively and successfully lobbied against the “carbon tax” implemented by the Gillard Labor government [0]. In fact, the then CEO of my former employer (Western Mining Corp, 90’s) Hugh Morgan, was then and still is an absolutely single-minded climate change denialist, despite WMC being primarily a nickel and uranium miner (at the time). But what’s even more ironic is the fact that in the election earlier this year, eventual PM Scott Morrison was lambasting the Labor leader Bill Shorten for his proposed policy of a ICE vehicle phaseout, saying that Bill wanted to take away people’s utes and “end the weekend” [1]. [0] https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/miners-dig-deep-to-battle-carbon-tax-20110816-i4c7y https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/miners-dig-deep-to-... [1] https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-09/utes-electric-cars-and-politics/10983298 https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-09/utes-electric-cars...

blompa 7y ago

Also ironically, the mining sector is also the driving factor behind a lot of renewable energy innovation projects in Australia. Since mining usually takes place in the middle of nowhere, utilising the sun/wind for energy makes things easier than having to transport fossil fuels long distances. https://arena.gov.au/projects/agnew-renewable-energy-microgrid/ https://arena.gov.au/projects/agnew-renewable-energy-microgr...

nl 7y ago
Also decomissioned mines are increasingly being used for pump-hydo, eg: https://www.genexpower.com.au/250mw-kidston-pumped-storage-hydro-project.html https://www.genexpower.com.au/250mw-kidston-pumped-storage-h...
- dwd 7y ago
  Even better if they are right where the customers are. This would be awesome if they can make it work: https://www.arup.com/projects/bendigo-underground-pumped-hydro https://www.arup.com/projects/bendigo-underground-pumped-hyd...
dwd 7y ago
They are also leaders in utilising vehicle automation with many mines operating self-driving dump trucks with minimal remote supervision.

ageofwant 7y ago

Electrics have significant lower opex, it will make a fair dent in the considerable capex for this, especially given Australian labour costs. Also the article spruiks underground use, where air quality is always a consideration. So health and safety is also a plus. So I recon cost parity should be tempered by all the external positives, which for electrics is not insignificant.

senectus1 7y ago

FMG just signed a biggish deal for Solar PV to run the admin offices (and more): https://www.fmgl.com.au/docs/default-source/announcements/1986209.pdf?sfvrsn=9b4aab2a_6 https://www.fmgl.com.au/docs/default-source/announcements/19...