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Turning half of Australia’s vehicle fleet into EVs? Challenge accepted.
clayton franklin with the team at epca and their electrified cat 777 100 tonne haul truck in wa

Clayton Franklin with the team at Electric Power Conversions Australia and their electrified Cat 777 100-tonne haul truck.

Supercharge Australia welcomes 12 startups who have accepted our second annual Innovation Challenge—Retrofit Nation!

Beginning in August, we sought startups with solutions to convert half of Australia’s vehicle fleet into electric vehicles (EVs), or 10 million vehicles. To achieve this, they will need to find ways to deploy up to 1.3TWh of batteries that would be required to reach this goal.

Applicants this year will benefit from technical support, networking, mentoring, wide exposure, and introductions to investors and customers in an industry roundtable to accelerate their success.

Delivered over two months with most sessions online, startups will receive advice from international and domestic experts in finance, IP, and business growth, and pitching the opportunity to investors. This will culminate in the second Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge Awards event, in Sydney on November 7. Participants in the inaugural Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge in 2023 raised over AU$48 million in funding after the first Challenge.

saic2 zoom photo

Participating startups join a virtual call with the team behind Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenger 2: Retrofit Nation.

“This is the first innovation challenge of its type in Australia to focus on mass EV retrofitting vehicles. With the incredible increase in battery demand this would generate, we aim to change the conversation on the viability of battery and cell manufacturing in Australia, taking advantage of our huge competitive advantage in the lithium battery supply chain,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager for Supercharge Australia.

“Not only would retrofitting half the Australian vehicle fleet to electric vehicles rapidly reduce emissions from transport, it would also support a big capacity uplift in our startup innovation ecosystem and clean energy advanced manufacturing,” said Megan Fisher, CEO of EnergyLab.

The Challenge aims to rapidly decarbonise Australia’s transport sector, which in 2022 contributed to 19% of Australia’s emissions; with trucks, buses, and light commercial vehicles accounting for about 40% of the total transport figure. The potential CO2 savings are critically important, and vehicle acquisition cost savings of up to 50% per vehicle in comparison to new purchases have been identified in overseas markets.

Get to know each participating startup’s business model and hear from their founders below (click dropdowns for full descriptions):

australia evs

Australian EVS

Newcastle, NSW

Their business: Light commercial EV retrofits for councils and fleets.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “To meet like-minded businesses who are focused on transitioning Australia to zero emission transport.” — Edwin Higginson, Founder

cuedo controls

Cuedo Controls

Melbourne, VIC

Their business: Efficient EV software control systems for the entire retrofit market.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “To see the best EV retrofit practitioners Australia has to offer.” — Kyle Van Berendonck, Founder

eclass outboards

Eclass Outboards

Kiama, NSW

Their business: Electric outboard and marine hybrid retrofits for pleasure craft and fishing fleets.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “Connecting with battery suppliers, connecting with the retrofit community. Becoming investment ready.” — Lynelle Johnson, Founder

electric power conversions australia

Electric Power Conversions Australia

Hazelmere, WA

Their business: EV retrofitting mining haul trucks from 100 tonnes and up

Why they’re joining the challenge: “Because it aligns perfectly with our mission to drive sustainable transformation in the mining industry… We’re looking forward to connecting with like-minded innovators, demonstrating the viability of our technology, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to create a greener, more efficient mining future for Australia and beyond.” — Clayton Franklin, Founder

electromotiv landscape

Electromotiv

Canberra, ACT

Their business: EV retrofitting buses for public transport and private fleets.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “This could be the beginning of an incredible decarbonisation journey!” — Adrian Salinas, Founder

evans electric

Evans Electric

Sydney, NSW

Their business: EV powertrain hardware and software developer specialising in axial flux motor development including e-axles

Why they’re joining the challenge: “Excited by the opportunity to scale next-generation EV powertrains in Australia.” — Paul Evans, Founder

iondna

IonDNA

ACT and NSW

Their business: Power electric ATVs, utility vehicles, and farm tools from electricity generated via on-site solar power infrastructure.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “Retrofit Nation aims to build the Australian lithium battery value chain. To succeed, demand for lithium batteries must massively increase, supported by a domestic market that consumes battery electric technology at scale. Rural Australia represents a significant market for this technology (and a significant challenge).” — Michael Day, Founder

jaunt

Jaunt

Melbourne, VIC

Their business: EV conversion systems for classic cars and specialist commercial vehicles.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “Australia has the design and engineering talent, the resources, and the culture to lead the world in electric vehicle conversions. Let’s make that happen.” — Dave Budge, Founder

net zero engineering solutions

Net Zero Engineering Solutions

Adelaide, SA

Their business: Bi-directional EV charging solution.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “The chance to help supercharge V2X in Australia and the broader transition to EVs.” — Portia Rooney, Founder

oz electric vehicles

OZ Electric Vehicles

Logan City, QLD

Their business: Battery upscaling and “flat pack” EV retrofit kits.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “We can see what’s needed (to decarbonise Australia’s vehicle fleet) and want to make it happen.” — Graeme Manietta, Founder

project midas

Project Midas

Sydney, NSW

Their business: Next-generation graphene anode technology, improving lithium-ion battery performance and safety.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “Excited about the opportunity to contribute further to the fast-growing and exceptional Australian ecosystem of startups around lithium battery technology!” — Laura Whelan, Founder

revr

REVR

Melbourne, VIC

Their business: Minimised installation requirement mass EV retrofit kits.

Why they’re joining the challenge: “It will be exciting to pitch REVR to a new audience and to interact with other entrepreneurs and innovators!”Craig and Alexander Burton

Supercharge Australia is accelerating the lithium battery value chain in Australia, and is a joint project of not-for-profit cleantech startup support organisations New Energy Nexus globally and EnergyLab in Australia and New Zealand.


About New Energy Nexus

New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international organization that strives towards a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population. It does this with a laser focus on diverse entrepreneurs, supporting them with accelerators, funds, skills, and networks they need to thrive.

NEX has accelerated over 1,200 startups, supported nearly 9,000 entrepreneurs, and mobilized over US$3.7 billion in investment. Celebrating 20 years since its founding in California in 2004, NEX now operates programs or advisory services in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the UAE, Uganda, the USA (California and New York), and Vietnam. More at www.newenergynexus.com

About EnergyLab

EnergyLab is Australia’s largest climate tech startup accelerator and innovation network dedicated to reaching net zero emissions. EnergyLab connects talented founders to the mentors, advisors, partners, peers and investors they need to succeed and has so far supported over 195 startups and 140 aspiring founders through its various programs.

In addition to running 10 programs, EnergyLab operates a climate focused angel investor network with over 200 angel investors, a mentor network with over 400 experts, coworking and events space at UTS in Sydney all of these services are leveraged to support the clean energy and decarbonisation startup ecosystem in Australia.

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