Robert Nicol has a pedigree that’s soaked in petrol and diesel, and but he has been in a position to evolve from fossil fueled automobiles to electrical automobiles. His father labored for Toyota as a “grasp service technician” for greater than 25 years in Australia. Robert’s first profession was in automotive service, beginning as an apprentice “engine reconditioner” and rising as much as his final job as a service supervisor for a Common Motors dealership. He has had two careers, the second profession as an ambulance officer for over 26 years, displaying that he’s in a position to evolve. He has now advanced right into a retired EV driver with a crimson Tesla Mannequin Y. At our final “Espresso Cake and EVs” morning on the Bracken Ridge Tavern, I requested for his ideas on the way forward for the automobile help trade. That is what he informed me. …
Some individuals rally on about photo voltaic and wind to energy the EV market. I imagine it’s extra about Australian jobs and utilizing sources properly.
Give it some thought from this angle:
1. The place does the oil come from to make petrol and diesel for Australian automobiles?
2. The place does the coal and fuel that powers Australian Electrical energy come from?
To reply query #1, oil normally comes from an oil properly within the Center East, some does come from Australian waters. Most of this oil is transformed into petrol or diesel in Singapore. (There are 2 comparatively small refineries in Australia — Geelong in Victoria, and Lytton QLD.) The gasoline is then shipped to Australian ports the place prepare or truck tankers disseminate it across the nation to servos (fuel stations), the place you then fill your tank with gasoline at round $2.00 per litre.
Query #2: Coal and fuel are sourced from numerous elements of Australia. It’s dug up and transported by prepare or truck to Australian ports and shipped abroad or trucked or piped to native coal or gas-fired energy stations, the place it’s burnt to make electrical energy. That is then distributed through high-voltage energy traces across the nation and ultimately finally ends up being consumed by Australian residents or corporations.
Certain, there are many jobs created by the oil trade. Most of these are international, whereas most if not the entire coal and fuel generates Australian jobs.
Now, I’m not certain of the numbers of jobs created by oil versus coal and fuel. Nevertheless, I’d imagine a far larger variety of Australian jobs are created by coal and fuel.
Ought to we use oil to gasoline our transport? Take into consideration the truth that oil is a finite useful resource. What different gadgets can we make utilizing oil? Issues reminiscent of plastics spring to thoughts. Shouldn’t we protect the finite oil reserves that we have now for making gadgets that we will solely make out of oil. These things are normally recyclable and by doing so will push our finite oil reserves to final so much longer.
For the time being, diesel is required as gasoline for vans and many others. to move gadgets across the nation. This can be a given; nonetheless, by changing our automobiles to EV at an orderly however aggressive charge, we will discover options to the problems of utilizing oil and non-reusables responsibly. Ever thought how a lot vinyl and plastic is inside a contemporary automotive, together with EVs? It’s all oil-based merchandise and will be recycled.
Fuelling EVs: About 80% of EVs are fuelled whereas at dwelling. We might additionally transition to photo voltaic panels on dwelling and enterprise roofs, after which not solely would it not be renewable, it will be fairly low cost and never place that nice a burden on the electrical energy grid. If buying centres had been to interchange the shade sails of their carparks with photo voltaic PVs, this may go a protracted solution to off-grid refuelling.
How many individuals have jobs within the automotive subject fixing and repairing vehicles and vans? What number of trades are there tied into the oil automotive trade?
- Automotive dealerships
- Servo workers
- Gasoline tanker drivers
- Petrol and diesel motor mechanics
- Auto electricians
- Engine reconditioners
- Tyre trade
- Suspension fitters
- Panel beaters
- Radiator repairers
- And the record will go on.
Similar to all the pieces else, companies might want to evolve from ICE to electrical. I bear in mind the ‘70s when V8’s had been king. You might scorching them up by reconditioning them with modified elements. Actually, any inner combustion engine might obtain extra horsepower or economic system with a specialist tradesman spending time engaged on it. These trades have diminished over time as vehicles have develop into computerised. Engine reconditioning has been a dying commerce and can ultimately go the way in which of Kodak. I advanced to a different profession within the mid ’90s as a result of I might see most petrol engine work was dying off, even again then. Diesel work is presently protecting these companies nonetheless round, alive.
Car dealerships will most likely change. Nevertheless, individuals nonetheless want vehicles delivered. Whether or not this requires Excessive Road frontage or a warehouse, time will inform. All of it prices the patron cash. Autos have gotten extra dependable, why not evolve to having the technician drive to you, quite than you drop your automotive off to them, if potential. Time is cash to a working individual, be it taking a break day to get the automotive serviced or no matter it’s that must be executed at a dealership that may be effectively achieved through an app, over-the-air software program updates, and some photographs.
With EVs coming to the fore, which trades will change and disappear? Gasoline tanker drivers will transfer to hauling totally different merchandise. Petrol and diesel mechanics have loads of coaching in electronics today. Anybody who desires a job working within the automotive trade simply must future proof themselves. Similar to each different profession has to today.
Servo attendants will nonetheless be wanted, as these websites have principally advanced into the nook retailer already. Add in a photo voltaic panel shade roof, a big storage battery, and a number of other AC trickle chargers plus a few DC quick chargers and their future is assured. If the suburban servo had been on a significant bus route, their spare forecourt could possibly be transformed into an AC trickle charging carpark for bus commuters.
EVs have radiators in them, principally for the sealed traction battery for heating/cooling. Most radiator outlets have disappeared already due to plastic radiators in ICE automobiles.
EVs are nonetheless concerned in prangs and want panel beaters.
EVs will want auto electricians greater than ever.
EVs want tyre and suspension outlets.
The previous: Ford XC Fairmont Ghia. Picture courtesy Rob Nicol.
With the evolution from ICE to electrical, some trades will naturally die off, others will flourish and develop, nonetheless others might be created. Similar to earlier generations have executed, we should proceed to evolve. Dinosaurs didn’t, people did!
Featured picture: The Nicol household with their new Tesla Mannequin Y. Picture courtesy of Rob Nicol.
Admire CleanTechnica’s originality and cleantech information protection? Take into account changing into a CleanTechnica Member, Supporter, Technician, or Ambassador — or a patron on Patreon.
Do not need to miss a cleantech story? Join every day information updates from CleanTechnica on e-mail. Or comply with us on Google Information!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica, need to promote, or need to recommend a visitor for our CleanTech Discuss podcast? Contact us right here.
