Lex Forsyth: Founder & COO at Janus Electric

About this episode

Lex Forsyth discusses the transformation of Australia's heavy transport sector through innovative battery technology and the challenges of scaling a hardware startup.

In this episode of Engineering Success, NTP Talent's Melinda Sietsma sits down with Lex Forsyth, founder and COO of Janus Electric, to discuss the real-world transformation of Australia’s heavy transport sector. Lex explains how Janus is converting existing diesel trucks into zero-emission vehicles using innovative, swappable battery technology. He breaks down the hard math, proving that the shift to electric isn't just an environmental pitch, it's a high-stakes economics game that slashes operating costs, improves driver well-being, and ultimately secures Australia’s energy sovereignty. You’ll get a refreshingly candid look at the grueling realities of scaling a hardware startup in Australia, from listing on the ASX to surviving hundreds of investor rejections. Lex dives into the massive hurdles of grid infrastructure, why megawatt fast-charging isn't a silver bullet, and the critical importance of keeping manufacturing and engineering talent local. Whether you're an ambitious engineer, a resilient entrepreneur, or a logistics professional, Lex's unfiltered insights on leadership, embracing failure, and building a sustainable legacy make this an unmissable episode.

People in this episode

Host: Melinda Sietsma

Guest: Lex Forsyth

Topics covered

• heavy transport
• zero-emission vehicles
• battery technology
• hardware startup
• leadership
• sustainability

Keywords

• electric trucks
• swappable batteries
• operating costs
• investor rejections
• grid infrastructure
• fast-charging
• manufacturing talent

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Janus Electric, ASX

Places: Australia