September 30, 2022
5 min read
The end of the fuel excise discount signals an urgent need to re-examine car ownership
The end of the fuel excise discount on October 1 signals an immediate need for the re-examination of car ownership and petrol vehicles. With prices set to increase significantly, in line with those seen prior to the excise discount, many are concerned at the rising costs of living.
Despite this, the Albanese government’s reintroduction of the full excise presents Australians with an opportunity to reassess private vehicle ownership and its cost economically and environmentally.
Car ownership as a concept
Traditional car ownership is undergoing radical transformation at present, with mobility solutions and community e-vehicle startups disrupting the car market. Consumers are slowly turning to EVs and ownership models which save on maintenance, petrol and insurance costs whilst also reducing emissions. However, the transition is not fast enough.
Despite the fallout of the Ukraine war surrounding fuel supplies and prices, the use of petrol cars remains the dominant choice for consumers. ABS data shows that Australia has over 20M registered vehicles on the road, with over 92 percent of households owning a car.
Petrol vehicles were the largest group by fuel type, representing over 71 percent of vehicles, and electric vehicles accounted for just 1.57 percent. Furthermore, an 2021 analysis of car ownership by insight’s agency ID, has revealed that 53 percent of households in Australia have access to two or more motor vehicles. However, most of these vehicles typically sit idle for 95 percent of the day and cost the average Australian family $22,000 per year.
And it isn’t just the economy which is impacted by car ownership, car pollution is one of the major causes of global warming, with the oil and gas industry representing 45% of anthropogenic GHG emissions. With the cost of living increasing, climate change worsening and petrol costs rising, why are we stuck on a model which is detrimental to the planet and our finances?
The future of shared e-mobility
Petrol cars and household ownership cannot remain with the climate and global economic market as they are. In fact, the Electric Vehicle Council recently announced that Australia should follow suit with the UK and EU by banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035. Though this has been labelled extreme, widespread disruption to the petrol car market is not a question of ‘if’, but when.
As urban environmental planners and developers move to greener and more sustainable models, greater options are arising surrounding car ownership. Businesses, such as ours, are pushing for more residential and commercial buildings to provide electric vehicles, scooters and bikes on demand, and for the concept of car ownership to change altogether.
Mobility solutions and startups which provide electric vehicles on demand are, undoubtedly, the way of the future. However, innovation in this space needs greater support from businesses, governments and consumers. Likewise, regional communities must not be forgotten in the move towards e-mobility.
The excise discount ending in October signals the urgent need for petrol car ownership to end, in order for our cities and regions to exist in a more sustainable and economically viable way.
The end of the fuel excise discount on October 1 signals an immediate need for the re-examination of car ownership and petrol vehicles. With prices set to increase significantly, in line with those seen prior to the excise discount, many are concerned at the rising costs of living.
Despite this, the Albanese government’s reintroduction of the full excise presents Australians with an opportunity to reassess private vehicle ownership and its cost economically and environmentally.
Car ownership as a concept
Traditional car ownership is undergoing radical transformation at present, with mobility solutions and community e-vehicle startups disrupting the car market. Consumers are slowly turning to EVs and ownership models which save on maintenance, petrol and insurance costs whilst also reducing emissions. However, the transition is not fast enough.
Despite the fallout of the Ukraine war surrounding fuel supplies and prices, the use of petrol cars remains the dominant choice for consumers. ABS data shows that Australia has over 20M registered vehicles on the road, with over 92 percent of households owning a car.
Petrol vehicles were the largest group by fuel type, representing over 71 percent of vehicles, and electric vehicles accounted for just 1.57 percent. Furthermore, an 2021 analysis of car ownership by insight’s agency ID, has revealed that 53 percent of households in Australia have access to two or more motor vehicles. However, most of these vehicles typically sit idle for 95 percent of the day and cost the average Australian family $22,000 per year.
And it isn’t just the economy which is impacted by car ownership, car pollution is one of the major causes of global warming, with the oil and gas industry representing 45% of anthropogenic GHG emissions. With the cost of living increasing, climate change worsening and petrol costs rising, why are we stuck on a model which is detrimental to the planet and our finances?
The future of shared e-mobility
Petrol cars and household ownership cannot remain with the climate and global economic market as they are. In fact, the Electric Vehicle Council recently announced that Australia should follow suit with the UK and EU by banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035. Though this has been labelled extreme, widespread disruption to the petrol car market is not a question of ‘if’, but when.
As urban environmental planners and developers move to greener and more sustainable models, greater options are arising surrounding car ownership. Businesses, such as ours, are pushing for more residential and commercial buildings to provide electric vehicles, scooters and bikes on demand, and for the concept of car ownership to change altogether.
Mobility solutions and startups which provide electric vehicles on demand are, undoubtedly, the way of the future. However, innovation in this space needs greater support from businesses, governments and consumers. Likewise, regional communities must not be forgotten in the move towards e-mobility.
The excise discount ending in October signals the urgent need for petrol car ownership to end, in order for our cities and regions to exist in a more sustainable and economically viable way.
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Above image: Ohmie GO eDock, built from the ground up by Ohmie GO engineers.
It started with a simple yet somewhat challenging brief, set by our CEO, to create the best shared eBike experience in the world. This means taking a wholistic view of the experience including the eBikes, the docking and charging system and the end to end app UX. Partnering with Dutch-Australian eBike brand Lekker gave us the perfect e-bikes to fit our needs, cool, sophisticated and high quality. On the other hand, our team searched the world for a docking solution that also met our needs but simply couldn’t find anything that fit with our vision from a design, functionality and product quality point of view. What this meant was that if we wanted the best solution in the world our engineering team would need to design, develop and build a solution ourselves. So our team set to work on a docking and charging solution that is simple, beautiful and left users with an outstanding experience, just as we have with our market leading Ohmie GO shared EV user experience.
Our design mission
Bike docking systems usually exists simply for functionality, without regard for design or aesthetics. The aim was to create a product which would be not only a technology leading solution but also visually appealing, from an industrial design point of view, so it could be placed in locations like hotel and premium building foyers.
Founder and CEO, Kyle Bolto said the team spent countless hours and effort obsessing over the details of the docking solution in order to get it right.
“In the same way that household names like Apple and Tesla differentiate their products through both technology and design, we set out to create a step change in design and style for an electric bike docking solution. We’ve named it the eDock,” explained Kyle.
“We thought long and hard about how an eBike user on our platform would interact with our eDock from an interface point of view. Utilising instructive LED lights integrated into the eDock in conjunction with the Ohmie Go app to help guide users through each step of booking became a key design feature. From the moment you book an eBike on the app, you're met with design components that take you through the experience, with lights flashing when you first book the bike, to a pulsing green light when it’s time to pull the bike out,” said Kyle.
The final product
We set out to create a product which our large global realestate and hotel clients would be proud to feature in the foyer of their gorgeous buildings. In the eDock we have created a solution that is not only state of the art technology but also visually striking, yet maintains a beautiful end-to-end flow with users.
“We know users resonate with products that are not only functional but beautiful, why would shared e-bikes be any different?” said Kyle.
We’re excited to announce that some of our clients have already designed in our new automated electric bike docking and charging solution, eDock, and will be installed and initially offered with Lekker eBikes in some of the most amazing buildings across Australia in 2023.
ABOUT OHMIE GO
Ohmie GO is proud to be Australia’s leading electric mobility and technology company, which launched in 2018 and was founded by ex-Telecoms Executive Kyle Bolto. Ohmie GO is building the future of electric mobility and transport in partnership with Australia's most innovative and sustainable players in the property industry such as Frasers Property Group, Sekisui House, Mulpha International and The GPT Group. Ohmie GO has developed and created its own technology to provide electric mobility solutions, including EVs, e-bikes, e-scooters and dedicated resident charging, as a service and amenity within buildings. Ohmie GO is disrupting the transport and property industry, by changing the relationship between buildings and mobility.
Media Contact: press@ohmiego.com
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Blog
December 7, 2022
Ohmie GO eDock: Where Functionality Meets Great Design
It started with a simple yet somewhat challenging brief, set by our CEO, to create the best shared eBike experience in the world. This means taking a wholistic view of the experience including the eBikes, the docking and charging system and the end to end app UX. Partnering with Dutch-Australian eBike brand Lekker gave us the perfect e-bikes to fit our needs, cool, sophisticated and high quality. On the other hand, our team searched the world for a docking solution that also met our needs but simply couldn’t find anything that fit with our vision from a design, functionality and product quality point of view. What this meant was that if we wanted the best solution in the world our engineering team would need to design, develop and build a solution ourselves. So our team set to work on a docking and charging solution that is simple, beautiful and left users with an outstanding experience, just as we have with our market leading Ohmie GO shared EV user experience.
Above image: Kyle Bolto, Founder & CEO, Ohmie GO with Mark Gleeson, Executive General Manager Investments, Frasers Property Australia.
Media Release
Market leading electric-mobility startup Ohmie GO has partnered with Frasers Property Australia, one of Australia’s leading diversified property groups, to provide two Tesla electric vehicles for the exclusive use of staff and tenants at Rhodes Corporate Park.
The EVs and technology were launched this month at an event taking place at Rhodes Corporate Park.
Kyle Bolto, Founder and CEO of Ohmie GO, said the partnership with Frasers Property is an example of a major property group seeking to implement change at an infrastructural level to impact sustainability
“Tenants and workers at Rhodes Corporate Park have the use of our app, Teslas and charging facilities for use on-demand. Our technology makes the experience as easy as possible for users, you simply open the Ohmie GO app, book a car for as little or as long as you’d like and use your phone to unlock the vehicle in the carpark,” said Kyle.
“Our solution gives people the opportunity to move away from private car ownership, or commuting daily in traffic, to a new era of transport which might include a combination of walking, public transport and shared electric vehicles,” said Kyle.
Mark Gleeson, Executive General Manager Investments, Frasers Property Australia said the new partnership with Ohmie GO enhances the flexibility provided to tenants at Rhodes Corporate Park and their teams.
“Our partnership with Ohmie GO enhances the convenience and connectivity we provide our customers in a thoughtful, sustainable way. It recognises not everyone drives to work, it encourages people to cycle or catch the train, and it means those who do so can still access a car if and when they need, even if they need to take it home for the night. It’s all about the flexibility we provide,” said Mr Gleeson.
Kyle Bolto said the tech startup’s mission is to continue disrupting the transport and property industry by changing the relationship between buildings and mobility.
“The future of transport is undoubtedly shared electric-mobility solutions, and we plan to continue innovating in this space by harnessing our technology and experience as market leaders,” said Kyle.
ABOUT OHMIE GO
Ohmie GO is proud to be Australia’s leading electric mobility and technology company, which launched in 2018 and was founded by ex-Telecoms Executive Kyle Bolto. Ohmie GO is building the future of electric mobility and transport in partnership with Australia's most innovative and sustainable players in the property industry such as Frasers Property Group, Sekisui House, Mulpha International and The GPT Group. Ohmie GO has developed and created its own technology to provide electric mobility solutions, including EVs, e-bikes, e-scooters and dedicated resident charging, as a service and amenity within buildings. Ohmie GO is disrupting the transport and property industry, by changing the relationship between buildings and mobility.
Media Contact: press@ohmiego.com
Media Release
November 30, 2022
Ohmie GO partners with Frasers Property to make Teslas available to tenants of Rhodes Corporate Park
Market leading electric-mobility startup Ohmie GO has partnered with Frasers Property Australia, one of Australia’s leading diversified property groups, to provide two Tesla electric vehicles for the exclusive use of staff and tenants within Frasers Property owned buildings at Rhodes Corporate Park.
MEDIA RELEASE
Ohmie GO has become the first electric-mobility and technology start-up to become a member of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the peak body for sustainable buildings and communities.
The GBCA is a member-based organisation and its purpose is to lead the sustainable transformation of the built environment. GBCA provides guidance and education on sustainable developments, building and designs and rates the sustainability of buildings, fitouts and communities through Australia’s largest national, voluntary, holistic rating system – Green Star.
Ohmie GO Founder and CEO Kyle Bolto says the GBCA were a “natural fit” for their business, which is disrupting the transport and property industry, by changing the relationship between buildings and mobility. Ohmie GO are installing electric-mobility hubs in developments across Australia, providing tenant-only access to EVs, micro-mobility and EV charging, all in one seamless app.
“Joining the GBCA is a perfect brand alignment for us, as we’re truly passionate about transforming the way we move around our cities, providing greater access to sustainable mobility so no one gets left behind,” said Kyle.
GBCA CEO Davina Rooney said it made sense for businesses to “walk the path of decarbonisation together”.
“Our expectations of the built environment have grown alongside the current health and climate challenges and businesses are increasingly seeking places that are healthy for people and the planet. Electric-mobility and building infrastructure that supports it are part of that future,” said Davina Rooney.
As the leading authority on building sustainability, GBCA has also founded its own Green Star rating system used by developers across Australia as an internationally-recognised sustainability rating and certification system.
“We work with some of Australia’s biggest and most well-known developers who have been awarded Green Star ratings from GBCA, and have Ohmie GO e-mobility vehicles in their buildings, as a part of their sustainability targets,” said Kyle.
“It’s wonderful to be part of the GBCA member portfolio now, as we’ve been committed to this mission for quite some time,” said Kyle.
The GBCA is comprised of approximately 650 member companies which include over 400 small-to-medium enterprises, 81 companies with annual turnover of more than $100 million and 33 companies now listed in the ASX200.
Likewise, its membership base includes major developers, professional services firms, banks, superannuation funds, product manufacturers, retailers, utilities, suppliers, educational institutions, local government and, now, an e-mobility and technology company.
“Ohmie GO is helping investors and businesses meet community expectations and ESG ambitions and GBCA is delighted to engage with diverse members, like Ohmie GO, to drive a healthier, more sustainable future forward,” said Davina.
“If our industries are going to eliminate fossil fuels, tackle climate change, and ensure a healthy Australia for future generations, the decade of decarbonisation - for buildings, mobility and beyond – is now, and collaboration is key to making that happen,” said Kyle.
ABOUT OHMIE GO
Ohmie GO is proud to be Australia’s leading electric mobility and technology company, which launched in 2018 and was founded by ex-Telecoms Executive Kyle Bolto. Ohmie GO is building the future of electric mobility and transport in partnership with Australia's most innovative and sustainable players in the property industry such as Frasers Property Group, Sekisui House, Mulpha International and The GPT Group. Ohmie GO has developed and created its own technology to provide electric mobility solutions, including EVs, e-bikes, e-scooters and dedicated resident charging, as a service and amenity within buildings. Ohmie GO is disrupting the transport and property industry, by changing the relationship between buildings and mobility.
Media Contact: press@ohmiego.com
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Media Release
November 16, 2022
Green Building Council of Australia welcomes first e-mobility and tech start-up
“We work with some of Australia’s biggest and most well-known developers who have been awarded Green Star ratings from GBCA, and have Ohmie GO e-mobility vehicles in their buildings, as a part of their sustainability targets,” said Kyle.