Wollongong City Council media release: 16 August 2023
Wollongong City Council is driving down emissions with its new fleet car, a Hyundai Kona, which runs on renewable energy. Delivered this month, it’s the first fully electric vehicle in the City’s pool car fleet.
Electric vehicles are more efficient than petrol-powered vehicles at converting energy into motion. When charged using renewable energy, as this one will be, they operate without greenhouse gas emissions.
Wollongong City Council Director Corporate Services, Renee Campbell (pictured), said the Kona was another step toward electrification of the City’s wider fleet with plans to continue as cars need to be replaced.
“Staff use pool cars to carry out inspections, attend meetings and community events, support the delivery of lifeguard services at our beaches and pools and to ensure parking compliance,” said Mrs Campbell.
“Thanks to our contract with Red Energy, we can charge them with 100% renewable energy from the Metz Solar Farm in Armidale. That means we can continue our work in the community and, at the same time, contribute to a cleaner future for Wollongong.”
The Kona isn’t the City’s only electric-powered addition either.
Wollongong Botanic Garden was last month bolstered by the addition of the City’s first-ever electric mower, an EcoTeq EVO.
“Staff say the green machine is quieter and already paying dividends with cutting improvements and better handling,” said Mrs Campbell.
Mrs Campbell said these are all steps toward the net zero targets for council and the community mapped out in the City of Wollongong Climate Change Mitigation Plan.
“By working to upgrade our equipment and vehicles to newer, greener options, we’re leading the way for our community,” she continued.
“Responding to climate change will require all of us to look at what contribution we can make.
“To support the uptake of electric vehicles in the community, Council is looking at a pilot partnership with Endeavour Energy and EVX which would see electric vehicle chargers installed on existing power poles across Wollongong, Thirroul, and Austinmer.”
Further information:
- Visit Electrify Wollongong for support and resources.
- Visit Kerbside Electric Vehicle Charging Points Pilot to have your say on that project.
