On May 14, Australian federal treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled the 2024-25 Federal Budget, introducing a variety of new spending initiatives in line with the principles from the previous year’s Infrastructure Policy Statement, where the government prioritised investments to enhance productivity, improve liveability and promote sustainability. These measures aim to address and support industry demand while … Continue reading Federal budget presents skills opportunities
Boldly committing to internal combustion engine technology, three prominent Japanese car-makers known for their cautious approach to electric vehicles – Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru – jointly announced a bold initiative to continue manufacturing petrol engines. This decision underscores their belief in the ongoing importance of conventional powertrains, backed by strong sales of hybrid vehicles, seemingly … Continue reading Toyota, Mazda and Subaru commit to combustion
Thermo King has announced production of its flagship electrical refrigeration unit, the E-500e, designed specifically to appeal to cold chain logistics operators of electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs), particularly those operating in urban areas. A standout feature of the E-500e is its direct power supply from the vehicle’s battery, eliminating the need for additional batteries … Continue reading Thermo King launches refrigeration unit for electric light commercial vehicles
Ocean Network Express (ONE), operator of the world’s sixth-largest container ship fleet, has introduced the first dual-temperature reefer. A collaborative effort between ONE, time-critical cargo specialist NAX Japan and international discount retail chain Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH) is trailing the reefers in Japan with the aim of addressing challenges faced in maintaining freshness during … Continue reading ONE launches world’s first dual-temperature ocean reefer
Britain’s biggest supermarket chain has adopted cutting-edge transport refrigeration technology with the addition of two trucks to the Tesco fleet equipped with propylene (R1270) and CO2 (R744) refrigeration units from German manufacturer EcoolTec Tesco becomes the first in the UK to embrace EcoolTec’s all-electric TM182 units, which stand out in the heavy commercial transportation sector … Continue reading EcoolTec reefer with dual-circuit system uses both R1270 HC and R744 CO2 refrigerants
Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) recently underwent a significant leadership transition, with John McCormack stepping down as chair and Kevin O’Shea resigning from the position of secretary and treasurer. Their combined efforts have significantly advanced RRA’s goal of reducing emissions in the HVAC sector and promoting environmental stewardship within the refrigerant industry. Continue reading Changes to the RRA board of directors
The latest report from the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), titled Charging Ahead: Electric Vehicles & Insurance, emphasises a crucial ten-year period for the insurance industry to support the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The report delves into key issues, including battery fires, safety regulations, and challenges faced by insurers in covering EVs. It also … Continue reading Insuring EV risks
The surge in global demand for batteries, fuelled by the rapid electrification of vehicles and the demands to store renewable energy, has brought attention to the environmental drawbacks of lithium extraction methods. For instance, the evaporation ponds in Chile, where lithium-rich brine is concentrated, use 682 times more water than sodium extraction methods, leading to … Continue reading Life after lithium: Future battery technologies
The Audi Q6 e-tron is the brand’s first electric vehicle built on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE), a collaborative effort with Porsche for the Macan. It features various trailblazing advancements, including redesigned prismatic battery cells, a predictive thermal management system, and E³ 1.2 electronic architecture. Continue reading Audi Q6 e-tron debuts ‘predictive’ thermal management
A column by VASA President Brett Meads You could be forgiven for thinking the following is a crude attempt at satire, perhaps even sarcasm – or maybe a bad dream – however, you would be wrong. This is a bizarre set of circumstances, with long-term negative environmental consequences, thanks to a sad omission by those … Continue reading Lack of restriction on high-GWP mobile air-conditioning refrigerants in Australia: A missed opportunity
