Could ACEEV’s Yewt herald the rebirth of the Australian car industry?
Well, it isn’t the electric Commodore from General Motors Holden, but CEO Greg McGarvey is hoping that the ACE EV (Australian Clean Energy Electric Vehicles) will be the seed from which the Australian auto industry can regrow. CleanTechnica has followed the story of ACE EV for a few years. See here.
To be honest, I was worried that Greg’s vision may not be fulfilled and then came the announcement that the prototypes of the ACE EV minivan and tray truck yewt had not only been made, but were touring Eastern Australia. Majella and I had to go and take a look. While Majella drove the minivan (her comments are below), I sat down with Greg and caught up on his plans. Time was limited. Enthusiasm was not. This has been a ten-year project; I asked him how he kept going. “I’m a stubborn old pr!ck” he replied.
Unfortunately, Greg’s enthusiasm was not shared by the Australian media, who did not come to the launch. He described it as “slim media interest.” The Roadshow launched from the MTAQ workshops in Brisbane 3 days ago. From here, the mini EVs will spend 52 days on the road travelling to Melbourne (2000 km away) and back with stops along the way. Greg will be following in his Tesla, and live streaming via Starlink. Local identities (mayors, business owners, community leaders) have been invited to join at every stop. Static displays of the vehicles are expected to provoke conversations with communities, businesses, councils and fleet operators.
Sitting across the meeting room table, it was hard to believe that retired Marine Biologist Greg McGarvey is 73. He appears to have lost none of his energy and enthusiasm as he excitedly tells me that the roadshow has over 70 test drive bookings already. The ACE EV minivan is designed for last-mile deliveries in dense urban environments which exist in the inner cities of Australia. He is pitching it for bakers, butchers, and even candlestick makers. Majella pointed out that a wheelchair could easily fit in the back, making it a useful option for the less able bodied.
The van has a load capacity of 400 kg and is powered by CATL LFP batteries, giving a range of 230 km per charge. The van can be fast charged in 30 minutes. The 30-kW motor gives smooth acceleration in traffic. With dimensions 339 x 195 x 147.5 cm, the minivan and yewt can fit into some pretty tight alleyways. The van weighs in at 1590 kg. The van has achieved ECE and Japan PHP certifications verifying collision safety. And full Australian Design Rule (ADR) crash testing and homologation.
The minivan and yewt reminded us both of Japanese Kei vehicles. McGarvey expects that the minivan will provide 60–70% lower running costs than diesel, creating an estimated weekly saving of $AU 55–$75 per vehicle. Savings may be even higher now with the war in the Middle East. It even has USB ports.
“There is nothing like this in Australia,” he said. “It is an Aussie brand.”
“How many will you have to sell to get production going in Australia?” I asked. Nine thousand was the reply. First comes imported kit assembly, then with volume sales will come Australian manufacturing. Greg has lots of work to do building an Australian supply chain.
How about the driving experience. Although Majella was only able to have a 10-minute low-speed drive around the industrial park, she found the turning circle was good, and despite the small wheels, the van was able to handle the speed bumps. “When I put my foot down, she responded well. I needed to use the brakes, as no regen was available.” The handbrake was activated by a foot button on the left-hand side. The minivan has a push button start. The reversing camera made backing out of the parking spot easy.
The interior materials were suitable for a delivery vehicle. “I love the blue contrasts on the doors and the dash to break up the black, and the double overhead gloveboxes for storage.” Majella noted that there were lots of nooks and crannies for storage and a USB port to charge her phone. Bright overhead LED lights would facilitate a delivery person attending to paperwork. The back of the van is well lit with LED light strips. Now, where was that parcel?
Could it be the new Holden? Here’s a bit of background from the ACE EV media release:
“In March 2019, in an unassuming MTAQ workshop south of Brisbane, mechatronics engineer Willi unpacked six boxes and assembled with a small team the very first ACE Cargo electric van. It was a modest beginning – a prototype built from flat-pack parts sourced from Germany, China and Taiwan, assembled on Australian soil.
“While Australia’s car manufacturing industry withered – the Electric Commodore abandoned, solar panel manufacturing lost offshore, and sovereign capability surrendered.” Greg describes his vehicle as the “Electric Commodore that never was. It’s the University of New South Wales solar panel industry that went offshore. It’s every Australian manufacturer that closed because nobody fought for them.” He frames his business as a fight for the restoration of Australian sovereign capability — “the cost of inaction is measured in lost jobs, lost capability, lost sovereignty.
“Greg McGarvie was 66 when he founded ACE EV Group in 2017, operating from a garage in Hervey Bay. He is now 73. The former marine biologist has poured everything into this dream. And he’s about to hit the road to prove that Australian innovation is here to stay.
“What we have here is nothing like Tesla — it’s nothing like any of the other traditional automakers,” McGarvie said in 2019. “It’s about us taking responsibility for the next generation, both in jobs and innovation. We are focused on the workers at the coalface, the tradies, that are so important to our communities.”
“By 2020, ACE EV faced the same fate as so many other Australian manufacturers — government indifference, no support, and the slow death of a good idea. McGarvie later admitted he thought he might end up sleeping on a park bench, having poured all his assets into the project.
“Then Senator Rex Patrick (then-Independent Senator for South Australia) stepped in. Through his strong advocacy, ACE EV secured a $5 million federal government grant for an energy management trial. The company’s four directors also put in $6.46 million of time, effort and capital. This wasn’t a handout — it was a partnership.
“All we want government to say is, ‘look, we think this is a great idea — what can we do to help?'” McGarvie said in 2019, frustrated by the lack of support.
Since that day in 2019, ACE EV has not only secured some government support, but also over $7.6 million in vehicle reservations. Greg is building a partnership between the people and the government in order to restore Australian manufacturing.
My final thoughts: No, it isn’t a Tesla, nor is it an electric Commodore. But it could be an opportunity to restart Australian manufacturing. The uses for ACE EV’s minivan and yewt in suburban, last-mile, constricted environments are legion. In my imagination, I think it would be a great travelling van — two seats for hubby and wifey and plenty of room for the dog in the back, or even a surfboard. I asked the dog and she said she would be willing to give a go so long as she got lots of walks and a few treats.
Looking forward to news on this ongoing saga. I wish Greg and his supporters all the best.