AFTER more than a decade with the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), including eight years as CEO, Behyad Jafari has stepped down from the helm with the position to be taken on an interim basis by Polestar Australia managing director Samantha Johnson.

In a statement the EVC said: “It is with mixed emotions that we announce the resignation of Behyad Jafari as the CEO and Samantha Johnson as Interim CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council.

“Mr Jafari has led the EVC over the past eight years which have marked a tremendous amount of change for the Australian EV industry.” On social media, Mr Jafari said he was “hugely proud of the historic outcomes our members and our team of experts have achieved to support our mission of accelerating the electrification of Australian transport”.

“A sustainable and prosperous Australia requires an electric fleet and we are now established on that path.

Behyad Jafari

“Seeing New Vehicle Efficiency Standards recently passed into law represented a major milestone for our industry, and I think it also created a natural time for me to step aside and let another leader continue to build the EVC and the industry into the future.

“We now have an incredible team of leaders and experts at the EVC so I’m very comfortable leaving knowing the sector is in good hands.”

Mr Jafari also thanked Ms Johnson for taking on the role of interim CEO. “I’m thrilled we have been able to attract a senior executive of Samantha’s experience and ability,” he enthused.

“Samantha is one of only a few executives with experience in launching an automotive brand in Australia.

“As Interim CEO, she takes on the temporary role focused on working with the EVC team and its members in refreshing the organisation, strategy and member value proposition, as well as recruiting a permanent CEO.”Mr Jafari will continue to serve the EVC as an adviser, supporting Ms Johnson in the transition until July 31 this year.

Samantha Johnson

With more than 20 years of experience in luxury retail, Ms Johnson has most recently overseen the strategy, operations, and performance of the Polestar electric car brand in Australia.

In social media posts, she expressed a commitment to creating a sustainable and customer-centric direct-to-consumer business while taking an industry leadership and advocacy role to accelerate electric vehicle supportive policies.

Her previous employment included a stint as the director of business control, financial services and digital transformation at Volvo Cars where she provided decision support activities across the business.

On its website, the EVC describes itself as “the national body representing the electric vehicle industry in Australia”.

“Representing members from across the value chain of the electric vehicle sector, the EVC is a trusted advisor and advocate to governments and decision makers across Australia.”