Sharon Webb

Westbury IGA has taken its own small step towards the electric vehicle revolution by installing an EV charging station in its carpark.

While commentators accuse the Federal Government of a lack of leadership on EVs, other levels of government, businesses and individuals are moving independently on the issue, much like the rooftop solar panel revolution.

The Tasmanian Government has waived stamp duty on new EVs for the next two years, as well as registration for rental car and coach operators.

Meander Valley Council has installed charging stations outside its chambers in Lyall Street, Westbury and at Deloraine’s Visitor Centre but has made no firm commitment to an EV fleet.

A council spokesperson said, ‘The council will consider transition of its current fleet to hybrids and/or fully electric vehicles in line with the capacity of such vehicles to cost effectively meet operational needs’.

But currently only 0.75 per cent of Australia’s cars are powered by electricity. In California 10 per cent are electric and in the whole of the US, one to two per cent are electric.  

On ABC 7.30 recently, renewable energy expert Saul Griffith said, ‘We need close to 100 per cent adoption by 2025 to stay on our climate targets, so we’re way off’.

Griffith, who has advised US governments on renewable energy, said Australia spends $32b a year importing petrol and diesel.

‘That money would be saved if we were running our own EVs on our own renewables.’

Of even more interest to Australians is how this might affect the household budget.

‘If the average Australian family was running their car electrically they’d be saving $2000-$4000 a year on petrol and diesel,’ Griffith told 7.30.

IGA Westbury didn’t pay a cent for its charging station. A spokesman said the business was approached by Evie Networks. IGA just needed to supply the location.

Evie Networks’ website says it was founded in 2017 to build Australia’s largest electric vehicle fast charging network and give electric vehicle owners across the country the freedom to travel anywhere.

‘It’s a small price to pay for the way of the future,’ IGA’s spokesman said. ‘I’m sceptical about EVs myself. Then again, the technology’s advancing. You can get cars that do 200–300kms before recharge and batteries to store electricity in homes are improving. I can see we’ll possibly have combined fuel stations in the future. Petrol and diesel would be side by side with electricity.’

Westbury IGA charging station opened for use in June, and the IGA said a surprising number of people are using it.