Funding sparks change

By Lachlan Ellis

There are 26 councils from across Victoria that will share in a $1.25 million investment from the State Government, to build chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) – and Moorabool is plugged in for the funding.

The ‘EV Charging for Council Fleets’ (EVCCF) program aims to support councils in transitioning their fleets to EVs, helping stimulate a second-hand EV market and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Over $647,000 in grant funding was allocated to regional Victorian councils, with Moorabool Shire Council receiving $50,950 for nine 7-kilowatt chargers, at four sites across Ballan, Darley, and Maddingley.

Moorabool Shire Council CEO, Derek Madden, said Council was delighted to have been approved for the funding.

“We’re very pleased to have been successful in our application for electric vehicle chargers in Moorabool. Council will receive almost $51,000 to install nine electric vehicle chargers across four sites,” Mr Madden told the Moorabool News.

“This will allow our staff who have or wish to purchase electric vehicles to have easy access to charge their cars. Being able to offer this will assist with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Victorian Government’s net-zero transition targets.”

The State Government aims to have half of all new light vehicle sales be zero-emission vehicles by 2030.

Moorabool Shire Council’s EV chargers are expected to be completed by May 2023 and, are being funded with a 50:50 contribution, with Council also contributing $50,950 to the project.