MORIAC’S growing community of electric vehicle users now have a free local charge point.<\/p>\n
Moriac Community Network has installed a new seven-kilowatt charger at the town’s community centre at Newling Reserve, with help from a Surf Coast Shire grant.<\/p>\n
The charger will use excess rooftop solar generation and purchased renewable electricity to power cars.<\/p>\n
It will save Moriac EV users from lengthy drives to top up their tanks, with the nearest adaptable EV previously 20 kilometres away at Armstrong Creek.<\/p>\n
MCN president Kim Rowe praised local EV champion Doug Rolfe for inspiring the project.<\/p>\n
“As an EV user, Doug had a passion to have EV chargers in Moriac, particularly for people with converted vehicles who need to charge more regularly,” Ms Rowe said.<\/p>\n
“His knowledge of the technology and the national PlugShare app, which shows users where all chargers are located, was a key for us and we felt that having a charger would help bring tourists to our town as well as benefit locals.<\/p>\n
“Moriac Community Network jumped at the initiative, given our focus on a sustainable community and we submitted an application for a council small grant, which was successful.<\/p>\n
“We are thrilled to have this in Moriac and welcome other locals to work with us on innovative ideas for the community.”<\/p>\n
The council allocated $2460 for the project from its climate action small grants program.<\/p>\n
Shire mayor Libby Stapleton congratulated MCN for its initiative, which she said was an example of a local community leading the way on emissions reduction.<\/p>\n
“Surf Coast Shire is a relatively car-dependent region but we are seeing strong uptake of electric vehicles,” Cr Stapleton said.<\/p>\n
“Initiatives like this will help to expand our regional charging capacity, meet rising demand and expectation, promote more sustainable transport options and encourage more sustainable tourism.”<\/p>\n
The council has also committed to installing public charging stations at Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne and Winchelsea during this financial year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MORIAC’S growing community of electric vehicle users now have a free local charge point. Moriac Community Network has installed a new seven-kilowatt charger at the town’s community centre at Newling Reserve, with help from a Surf Coast Shire grant. The charger will use excess rooftop solar generation and purchased renewable electricity to power cars. It […]<\/p>\n