Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad today encourage local residents to nominate to be part of Victoria’s ground-breaking Electric Vehicle Trial.
Ms Broad said the world-leading five-year trial was launched today by the Brumby Labor Government and would include 180 households across the state
“Applications are now open and I urge local families and residents to go electric and nominate to take part through the special RACV online ballot,” Ms Broad said.
“This is an exciting opportunity for people to be part of the development of low-emission transport options as we look for new ways to cut carbon emissions and provide greener travel.
“This $5 million trial is taking Victoria one step close to an electric vehicle future and will make it easier for people to choose electric cars, commercial vehicles and bikes as more options become available.
“The Brumby Labor Government is committed to making this state an electric vehicle friendly place and we understand how important cleaner, greener and innovative travel options are to Victorians.”
Ms Broad said the Electric Vehicle Trial would create real-life conditions by testing how drivers, vehicles, plug-in charging infrastructure and the electricity network will work in everyday situations.
“This is a real-world test of how these vehicles will operate in Victoria and that means we need Victorians to use electric vehicles and report back on their experiences,” she said.
All the vehicles in the Electric Vehicle Trial will run on AGL GreenPower, which is 100 per cent renewable energy.
About 60 vehicles will be used in the trial and they have been provided by Blade Electric Vehicles, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan and EDay Life. Public charging infrastructure will be supplied by Better Place, ECOtality and ChargePoint.
As part of the trial, charging points will be installed in homes of participants and in workplaces. Public quick charging points will also be set up for when an electric vehicle needs a top-up.
“The vehicles will rotate between households and fleets for three months at a time, with the trial to look at their experiences and what type of charging infrastructure is needed and where,” Ms Broad said.
The trial will provide the vehicle charging point and pay for insurance, while participating households will pay the cost of electricity, which will be less than what they pay for petrol.
Applications to participate in the trial can only be made online through the RACV website at www.racv.com.au. A valid Victorian driver’s licence is required.