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East Gippsland is about to roll out the first public electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network for the region.
A network of 11 EV fast-charging stations will be installed across East Gippsland Shire. Council has secured Australian and Victorian Government funding to install seven50kW EV fast-charging stations in car parks across the shire between now and June 2023.
The chargers will be equipped with CCS2 and CHAdeMO dual plugs, which will fit most EVs. The stations will charge an EV in approximately an hour. One charger will supply two car parks, so two cars can charge at the same time.
The low charging cost will be 40 cents per kilowatt hour, meaning it will cost between $20 to $35 for a full charge depending on the type of car.
In the drive to clean and low emission transport, three EV charging stations will be backed with a $150,000 grant by the Victorian Government’s Destination Charging Across Victoria (DCAV) program, to be installed at Mallacoota, Buchan and Lakes Entrance.
It is part of a Victoria-wide expansion that will see the DCAV program support approximately 141 chargers across 116 sites by July 2023.
In separate funding, the Australian Government committed $400,000 through its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.
This funding will support EV charging stations at carparks in:
The LRCI Program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Private companies are working with Council to install EV charging stations on public land for EV users in Paynesville, Lakes Entrance, Cann River and Bruthen.
One of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions is the transport sector, which accounts for 25 per cent of Victoria’s total carbon emissions (source: www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/zero-emissions-vehicles). However, all EV charging stations installed by Council will source 100 per cent renewable electricity as part of the Victorian Energy Collaboration(VECO). Under VECO, 46 Victorian councils have jointly entered a long-term contract to source energy generated from Victorian wind farms.
Mayor, Cr Mark Reeves said Council is committed to delivering improved infrastructure to support the uptake of electric cars and boost EV tourism.
“We’re committed to building a more sustainable future for our community. Providing more EV infrastructure across the shire meets our commitment to cut emissions, tackle climate change and transition to renewables,” Cr Reeves said.
“These seven charging stations will encourage people in our communities to consider going electric and will greatly boost the EV tourism market across our shire.
“Of course, while an EV is charging, visitors will spend time in our cafes, restaurants and bakeries, visiting attractions or shopping. So, every fast-charging station brings much-needed dollars into our communities,” Cr Reeves said.
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed the installation of the charging stations.
“Providing electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure encourages Gippslanders to look at investing in electric vehicles, knowing that the infrastructure is already in place.”
“Our region has many tourists visit each year and supporting the use of electric vehicles, means that when visitors stop to charge their vehicle they will spend money in our local bakeries, cafes and shops.”
“Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and East Gippsland Shire Council is ensuring the infrastructure is in place now, so the region doesn’t get left behind.”
“I am committed to working with Council to improve local infrastructure and ensure our region continues to attract visitors.”
Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, noted that the rollout will make the switch to zero emissions vehicles more attractive.
“We have now invested almost $10 million to deliver hundreds of fast-charging stations across the state − ensuring drivers in any Victorian town will be at most one hour away from an EV charger.”
“By expanding critical charging infrastructure and offering subsidies to Victorians for zero emissions vehicles, we’re laying the groundwork to achieve our target that half of all new light vehicle sales are zero emissions by 2030,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.