Barwon Health adds zero-emission cars to fleet

BARWON Health staff will soon have access to a dozen zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the organisation’s fleet to drive around the region.

The state government has purchased 400 ZEVs, and Hyundai Kona Electric cars will be stationed at University Hospital Geelong, while another six will be delivered to the health services McKellar Centre by the end of the year.

Nurses, hospital staff and volunteers will use the cars for outpatient work and meetings across the region as part of a push to encourage the take-up of sustainable transport ahead of a state-wide net zero emissions target by 2050, and a target from Barwon Health of reaching zero fleet emissions by 2035.

Once the vehicles reach their end of lease they’ll be available for public purchase.

“We are participating in the ZEV program to reduce our carbon emissions from transport and to demonstrate Barwon Health’s environmental intentions to the community,” chief executive Frances Diver said.

“The other benefits include familiarising and myth-busting environmental issues amongst staff and providing a supply of second-hand zero-emission vehicles to the market.”

The 480km range of the Konas will enable staff to make long trips without the need to charge, and will be supported by charging stations at University Hospital Geelong that by December will be powered by the Mt Gellibrand windfarm.

The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority took delivery of its Kona ZEV in September.

The bulk fleet conversion program and installation of charging infrastructure is costing $15 million and another $19 million in grants is expanding the publicly accessible fast-charging network at stations in Lorne, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Winchelsea.

“This is an important step towards ZEVs making up half of all light vehicle sales by 2030, part of our nation-leading climate action which will see us slash emissions by 50 per cent by the same year,” Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio said.

More than 5,000 Victorians have used state government subsidies of $3,000 to purchase ZEVs, contributing to a 2021 sales jump of 310 per cent for the vehicles.The CCMA’s ZEV.