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the australian farmer
support Australian farmers on the road to Net Zero. Australia has a small taxpayer base, which limits our ability to invest in many new opportunities, so we need to be selective. One opportunity worth considering is Australia’s potential to become a biofuels powerhouse. Farm- ers around the country can grow crops like sunflowers and canola for biofuel production. And farm- ers in Queensland, who produce 95% of the country’s sugarcane, can position Australia as a major bioethanol exporter, helping to di- versify, and generate new income streams. Australia stands at a critical juncture. The energy transition provides an opportunity to de- velop our competitive advan- tage as a country to decarbonize while remaining prosperous. Farmers can play a crucial role by adopting new technologies that not only reduce emissions but can increase productivity and profitability. The govern- ment needs to play its part by adopting a razor-sharp targeted approach in investigating and investing in alternative technol- ogies, such as biofuels. This will empower Australian farmers to continue producing the nation’s food and fibre; simultaneously contribute to achieving climate goals, whilst potentially devel- oping additional value-added revenue and income streams. In this way, the Australian farming community will remain competi- tive, sustainable, and vital in the global marketplace.
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) technology. PHEVs offer a hybrid solution — an electric battery for short trips and an onboard generator for longer journeys, like camping adven- tures, family holidays interstate, and trips in rural areas where charging infrastructure is severely lacking. Put bluntly, there are not enough chargers, they are not where they should be, and they are frequently unreliable. Aus- tralia only has around 2,000 public EV chargers, mostly concentrated in capital cities, making PHEVs a practical solution with ranges up to 80 kilometres on electric power, plus a petrol engine for backup. PHEVs also feature bi-direc- tional charging, which unlocks new possibilities for farms. PHEVs can serve as generators, producing electricity by charging the battery with regenerative braking, elec- tricity or fuel — a full tank can re- charge the battery up to six times. With bi-directional charging, it's possible to use solar power during the day to charge the vehicle, then use the excess power stored in the battery to electrify the home in the evening. This not only elimin- ates petrol costs but also reduces home energy bills. For farmers, integrating auto- mation and renewable tech- nologies can lower costs, boost productivity, and reduce carbon emissions, paving the way for a more sustainable agricultural in- dustry in Australia. The future is already here — it’s just unevenly distributed, and now the gov- ernment and private sector need to invest in new technologies to
Shaun Westcott is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd. Originally from South Africa, Shaun has lived and worked in several countries around the world and across a wide range of industries. Shaun holds an MBA from the University of South Africa and is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also the Deputy Chairman of the Federal Chamber of Auto- motive Industries in Australia.
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