Inaugural Electric Vehicle Council CEO Behyad Jafari has informed stakeholders he will be stepping down from his role, with former Polestar Australian managing director Samantha Johnson taking on the position of interim CEO.
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Jafari has led the EVC over the past eight years, which have marked a tremendous amount of change for the Australian EV industry.
“I am hugely proud of the historic outcomes our members and our team of experts have achieved to support our mission of accelerating the electrification of Australian transport,” Jafari said.
“A sustainable and prosperous Australia requires an electric fleet and we are now established on that path. Seeing New Vehicle Efficiency Standards passed into law represented a major milestone for our industry, and I think it also created a natural time for me to step aside and let another leader continue to build the EVC and the industry into the future.
“We now have an incredible team of leaders and experts at the EVC so I’m very comfortable leaving knowing the sector is in good hands.”
Jafari thanked Johnson for taking on the role of interim CEO.
“I’m thrilled we have been able to attract a senior executive of Samantha’s experience and ability,” he said.
“Samantha is one of only a few executives with experience in launching an automotive brand in Australia.
“As interim CEO, Samantha takes on the temporary role focused on working with the team and our members in refreshing the organisation, strategy and member value proposition of the EVC, as well as recruiting a permanent CEO.”
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Jafari will continue to serve the EVC as an adviser, supporting Johnson in the transition until 31 July 2024.
