We’re beginning to see more and more electric and hybrid vehicles on the streets – a trend sparked by an increasing knowledge and concern for our environmental footprint, and the vehicle’s lower running and maintenance costs. According to the Electric Vehicle Council State of Electric Vehicles 2021 Report, EV (electric vehicle) sales increased in Australia by 200% in 2019, and in 2020 EVs made up 2% of new cars sold.
As the community of Stonnington moves with this trend and embraces EVs, Council has been ramping up its support for charging infrastructure in the municipality. A State Government grant has been secured to install a fast charger near Malvern Town Hall which will improve charging access in this area.
Increasingly, commercial EV charging operators are also installing their own infrastructure through partnerships with local councils and businesses. Council is exploring a proposal from a commercial operator interested in installing a fast charger in the Glenferrie Road, Malvern precinct and is considering how best to work with these operators, the local business community, and the Victorian Government to increase the number of EV chargers in our community.
Council’s public EV charger in Prahran Square had its highest ever usage in December 2021, with 124 charging sessions recorded across the month totalling over 185 hours of charging! And it’s not just our locals taking advantage of the stations, visitors from 38 different postcodes across South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland have utilised the popular charging site.
The City of Stonnington currently has three EVs and will soon add three small electric trucks to the fleet. Council also has 22 hybrid passenger vehicles. Work is underway to install additional chargers for our fleet at the City of Stonnington Depot and Council offices at 311 Glenferrie Road.
The City of Stonnington’s Climate Emergency Action Plan and Sustainable Environment Strategy states a commitment to a zero-carbon future for its own operations and for the Stonnington community.
