Energy Source & Distribution finds out what drives new Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio, and why she’s not one to shy away from a good debate.
You have to be part of an Italian family to truly understand the dynamics of a good discussion—it has to be loud, extremely animated, and, of course, accompanied by impassioned hand gestures.
Born to Italian parents, Delvecchio says her family’s kitchen table was an “arena where everything was debated”.
“The only rules were that you had to have a view and argue it. My Aussie husband was often confused about why everyone was yelling when, to us, it was just normal conversation,” she laughs.
This set the foundation for her interest in the big discussions—at the dinner table and beyond.
“Talkback radio was always playing in the background at home and, to this day, it remains a daily ritual I will never shake,” Delvecchio says.
“I believe curiosity about what’s going on around us is essential. Professionally, I’ve always been drawn to topics that are both challenging and at the forefront of people’s minds. I come to the electric vehicle (EV) sector not as an expert but as someone who wants to bring people together to solve the barriers to EV take up and find ways to get people excited about the opportunity that we have in front of us.”
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Delvecchio began her professional career as an 18-year-old reporter at a Sydney metropolitan newspaper. It was a baptism of fire.
“I had to figure out how to do the job while doing the job, which makes you very resourceful. But the most formative part of my journey has been the mentors I’ve had along the way. I don’t use the word mentor lightly—these people generously shared their time and advice. They often pointed me in the right direction, and helped me navigate through the many challenges.”
Having taken on the role of Electric Vehicle Council chief executive after the departure of highly respected former CEO Beyhad Jafari, Delvecchio is clear about the mission at hand.
“The Electric Vehicle Council is a broad church of stakeholders—from car manufacturers to charge point operators. My first priority, and the one factor that every single member is united on, is focusing on driving EV uptake,” she explains.
“This is about overcoming the obstacles and jumping on the opportunities that exist to make the most of what EVs can do for Australia. I want to help industry and government continue to work together to make sure we are doing everything possible to make EV uptake easy.
“Second, I focus on using data to understand the barriers and myths. I encounter misinformation about EVs every day. My mission is to be armed with the evidence and drive change that addresses the root cause of these barriers.”
On misinformation, Delvecchio says industry and government have an excellent opportunity to work together to address these concerns head-on with quality information so people can make informed choices.
“The core message is that aside from the environmental benefits of EVs—like quieter, cleaner suburbs—there are immediate financial benefits. EV drivers can save up to $3,000 per year in running costs. With ongoing cost-of-living pressures and an expanding range of EV models, making the switch makes good financial sense.
“One of the biggest myths about EVs is that they are only for wealthy inner-city drivers. But the fastest-growing areas for EV adoption are outer suburban, regional, and rural areas, where residents benefit most from fuel cost savings.
“In 2023, 43% of EV sales were in outer metro suburbs, not city centres, and 61% of EVs were bought outside inner metropolitan areas. Residents living outside of the inner-city commute longer distances, making fuel savings more substantial. Many people in the outer suburbs and regional areas also have driveways or garages, allowing for convenient home charging.”
Despite headlines that suggest Australia’s EV uptake is lagging, Delvecchio says it’s the bigger picture that merits consideration.
“In a very short space of time, Australians have come a long way with EVs and are voting with their feet. Today, about one in every 10 new cars that are sold in Australia are electric—up from about 2% just several years ago. More than 300,000 Australians drive EVs today. Last year, Australia broke an annual sales milestone for EVs, with about 114,000 new EVs sold,” she says.
“Australia also has over 120 EV models available to choose from, with some priced under $30,000, making them more accessible than ever.
“However, challenges remain. Charging infrastructure is a key issue. We have 1,800 high power public chargers installed and many more on the way, but we need to accelerate the rollout and streamline installation processes.
“Policy progress has been significant. The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) will expand model choices and lower costs for low and zero-emissions cars, but we need to ensure it continues and covers a broader range of vehicles.
“Before this year, Australia was the world’s dumping ground for fuel-guzzling, inefficient cars but the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is helping us catch up with other developing countries the US and in Europe. The NVES will cut costs for consumers by incentivising car makers to gradually reduce the total emissions of the cars they sell, giving motorists dozens more choices at a lower purchase price and cheaper running costs.
“Heavy transport and apartment charging remain key areas where more policy action
is needed.”
Asked about the perceived barriers to EV ownership, Delvecchio says there are three main factors contributing to hesitancy.
“First there’s cost. Historically, EVs have been more expensive than petrol cars. However, prices are dropping, and some models are now under $30,000. Second is range anxiety. Many Australians worry about running out of charge, but most modern EVs now have 400km+ range—more than enough for daily use, which averages 40km per day. Highway charging networks are expanding, making long trips more feasible,” she says.
“Finally, the third barrier is misinformation—Concerns about EV fire risks are widely circulated but not supported by evidence. EV fire incidents are significantly lower than petrol vehicle fires. We need to ensure consumers have access to accurate information.”
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Asked about the regulatory changes needed to address these barriers, Delvecchio says the Electric Vehicle Council wants to see the NVES expanded as well as the continuation of incentives such as the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for EVs, which could end in 2027.
“We also need faster infrastructure rollout, including streamlined planning regulations to reduce installation delays and costs.
“Australia has turned a corner in the EV transition, but we can’t afford to slow down. The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard is key to ensuring Australians continue to have access to affordable, fuel-efficient cars while also cutting transport emissions and reducing reliance on expensive, imported fuel.
“I think it would be hard to find someone who doesn’t want to save money owning and driving a car, breathe cleaner air, and enjoy a quieter neighbourhood—that’s exactly what an EV delivers. But EVs offer more than fuel-efficient, cheaper-to-run, fun-to-drive transport—as batteries on wheels, they have the potential to support the grid through innovative vehicle-to grid technology, which would help lower power bills for all Australians.
“With the right policies, infrastructure, and consumer awareness, we can accelerate the transition and make EVs the smart choice for all Australians.”
