Leading the charge in EV uptake

The new charging hub, which opened in May 2020, brings Moreland City Council’s total tally of public electric vehicle chargers to 16. 

Moreland has the highest number of Council owned and operated, free-to-use public EV chargers of any municipality in Victoria. All electricity used to charge vehicles is renewable, sourced from the Crowlands Wind Farm.

The popularity of electric vehicles in Moreland is rapidly growing. In 2018, Council’s network of public chargers saw less than 10 charging sessions per month; March 2021 saw 725 charging sessions across the network.

Usage data since May 2020 shows a drastic increase in charging sessions across Moreland’s EV charging network.

ChargeFox, who partner with Council to manage the EV stations, have confirmed that the Brunswick EV hub is the busiest hub in Australia by number of sessions per month.

Mayor, Annalivia Carli Hannan, said, “The hub’s usage data shows there is local uptake and appetite for electric vehicles and EV infrastructure. It also shows that having this infrastructure in place can attract people to the area which will help boost our local economy. 

“I myself drive an electric vehicle. I love knowing that when I need to charge, there are free, easily accessible places for me to charge up quickly and conveniently across Moreland. It’s also a great feeling knowing I’m reducing my carbon emissions and helping the environment.” 

Moreland Council’s Vehicle Policy sets out a zero-emissions procurement priority. Council added its first electric vehicle to its fleet in 2013. There are now 25 electric vehicles in the fleet, each saving approximately 2.5 tonnes of greenhouse emissions each year and improving air quality where the cars are being used.

According to the Electric Vehicle Council, Australia could eliminate 6% of our total greenhouse gas emissions if everyone drove an EV operating on renewable energy.