By Renee Wood
Yarra Glenergy has received State Government funding to help deliver one of the first electric vehicle chargers in the Yarra Ranges.
The new 50kW fast charger is expected to be installed in September behind the Memorial Hall near the CFA, due to floodplains at the front car park.
It’s anticipated to support locals and visitors who travel to or through the town.
“We wanted it to be obviously as close to town as possible because if people do park their car for charging, we want them to be able to spend half an hour in town,” Trent Evans from Yarra Glenergy said.
Yarra Glen is seen as the perfect spot for a charging site with visitors travelling to the region, while it’s often a rest stop for travellers heading to alpine destinations.
“People come out here obviously for the wineries and restaurants but also if you go into the snow, the nearest snowfields, you end up coming up here through to Mansfield,” he said.
The charger was joint funded by the State Government’s Destination Charging Across Victoria (DCAV) program and Yarra Glenergy’s funds from the sale of the Yarra Glen’s former Maternal and Child Health Clinic.
Yarra Ranges Council has also been supporting the group in the preparation and implementation.
Up to two vehicles can charge at the same time and users will have to pay a fee to charge their cars which will go back to Yarra Glenenergy.
Mr Evans said the revenue will fuel future sustainable projects.
“It’ll come to us and then our plan is either to distribute the profits to the community kindergartens, football clubs, cricket clubs, stuff like that or reinvest into more renewable energy projects.”
Mr Evans is a Tesla car owner himself, making the switch in 2019 and it’s something he’ll never look back on.
“I love it because after you’ve put up the cost, I’ve never had my car serviced, you don’t need to have them serviced anymore,” he said.
“There’s no more ongoing costs apart from electricity and replacing the tyres and even the tyres don’t wear as quickly because you’re not breaking using regenerative braking.”
As more electric vehicles become available on the Australian market, the installation of charging points in the state is expected to surge.
“A lot of the petrol stations now are rolling out 50 kilowatt charges at their service stations now.”
Healesville is also soon hosting an EV Showcase at The Memo on Saturday 13 August from 1.00pm to 4.00pm which will have Community Bulk Buy arrangeents with the Good Car Company.
Good Car Company’s Anton Vikstrom said attendees will be able to see, learn and join a test ride.
“You also get to meet owners of EV’s and hear their real life stories of living and loving EV’s,” he said.
Registration for the event is essential for planning.
“The more people involved is also a message to policy makers and government to get behind the switch to electric vehicles,” he said.
For more information visit https://www.yvcommunitypowerhub.org.au/electric-vehicles/
