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Australia’s electric vehicle uptake has lagged behind compared to much of the world. But a growing chorus of experts including the Electric Vehicle Council have called that without a firm deadline, such as banning new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, we’ll stay stuck in neutral.

It’s a bold move. One that promises cleaner air, quieter streets, and a slash in transport emissions. But it also raises tough questions:

What about the environmental cost of mining lithium for EV batteries? Are we ready for the infrastructure overhaul? And how do we make sure rural and low-income Australians aren’t left behind in the transition?

Razor’s Edge Reporter Thomas Koutis speaks to Hussein Dia, Professor of Transport Technology and Sustainability at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.

Hosted on air on November 6, 2025, on Razor’s Edge by Annamarie Reyes