Charging towards zero emissions

Published on 20 February 2024

Colac Otway Shire Council has responded to the growth in electric vehicles and a desire to deliver on environmental strategies with the introduction of new electric vehicle chargers in Apollo Bay and plans for more in Colac.

Council’s Corporate Services General Manager Andrew Tenni said the electric vehicle chargers in Apollo Bay would be followed up by installation of new charger stations in Johnstone’s Carpark in Colac in April-May.

“We are working with Evie Networks and the first set of universal chargers went live in Apollo Bay in January, providing greater certainty for locals and tourists planning their trips throughout the shire and along the Great Ocean Road.

“Long-term, the charging station will also assist our community to reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions and support the shift to electric vehicles,” Mr Tenni said.

A key objective of Council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy is to encourage community efforts to transition to a zero-carbon environment, including the electrification of transport and enhanced public transport services across the region.

“Our Climate Action Plan also called for public electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the shire to encourage the uptake of electrical vehicles through arrangements like this, through advocacy and through strategic planning” Mr Tenni said.

“We have a lot of inquiry through our Visitor Information Centre in Apollo Bay for electric vehicle charging options, and this new facility in Council’s Pascoe Street Carpark has been very popular already.

“We’ve seen enormous growth in electric vehicle uptake amongst residents and visitors to the region, and we look forward to delivering more charging stations to support that.”

Caption:

Colac Otway Shire Senior Environment and Sustainability Officer Liza Kennedy and Tourism Development Officer Adrian Healy were among the first to make use of the new electric vehicle chargers in Apollo Bay.