Surf Coast Shire Council is progressing towards zero emission fleet vehicle goals with installation of four electric vehicle, EV, chargers at three sites.
Council received $30,500 for the $55,000 project through the Victorian Government’s EV Charging for Council Fleets funding program, enabling installation of two 22kW chargers at its Torquay Civic headquarters and one apiece at Torquay and Winchelsea works depots.
Council is targeting zero emissions for its light fleet vehicles by 2027-28, and for its whole fleet including trucks and excavators by 2030.
“This installation project provides us with EV charging coverage at Council’s main work sites and provides scope for expansion of our EV fleet and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our Climate Emergency response,” Cr Kate Gazzard said.
“We acknowledge the Victorian Government’s valuable support.
“Council resolved in April last year to set June 2030 as a target for zero greenhouse gas emissions from all corporate operations, excluding Anglesea landfill, and this is another step towards that ambition.”
Council has one existing EV in its fleet at present and is aiming to add an additional two EVs to the fleet during the next 12 months. As part of the move towards electric, Council has been transitioning its light fleet vehicles to hybrid.
Council also provides free public EV chargers at Moriac Community Centre and Lorne Visitor Information Centre and is working on further installations across the shire to meet rising demand and expectations, promote more sustainable transport options and encourage more sustainable tourism.
The ‘Zero 2030’ target was set as part of Council’s Climate Emergency Response, in line with International Panel on Climate Change statements that deep cuts in emissions are required within this decade if global temperatures are to remain well below two degrees Celsius.
