The Yewt & Minivan Roadshow

This is a story about a small Australian company, not a home upgrade program, but it may interest homeowners weighing electric vehicles alongside other energy upgrades. ACE EV, an Australian manufacturer, has built prototype electric minivans and small trucks (called "yewts") and is touring them through eastern Australia, with stops between Brisbane and Melbourne, to drum up interest and test drives. The vehicles are aimed mainly at businesses doing short urban deliveries, but the company's founder hopes strong sales could eventually support local manufacturing.

The minivan runs on CATL lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a battery type known for durability and safety, giving about 230 km of range per charge and a 30-minute fast-charge time. It carries up to 400 kg, has sliding doors on both sides, and has passed European, Japanese, and Australian crash-safety certification. The company estimates running costs 60-70% lower than a comparable diesel vehicle, saving an estimated $55-75 Australian dollars a week per vehicle.

For homeowners, this isn't a rebate or upgrade program, just a look at a small local EV maker trying to get off the ground after years of funding struggles, including a past $5 million federal grant and over $7.6 million in vehicle reservations. If you're curious about electric vans or trucks for a home business or hobby use, it's a company worth watching, though it's not yet in mass production.