The debate on electric vehicles (EV) in Australia never seems to hit a dead end, but that hasn’t stopped the Queensland government from its forward momentum in making bold investments in technology that supports its clean energy agenda.
The road to creating more EV friendly road infrastructure has been a long and bumpy one over the decades, and the latest move by the Palaszczuk government demonstrates that there is tangible but cautious interest in the technology.
In an announcement of a new partnership has been between Mitsubishi Motors and energy distributor Ergon Energy, the Palaszczuk government said eight Outlander Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be rolled out in Ergon’s fleets in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay, Maryborough and Toowoomba.
The rollout is part of a trial that will cost $60,000 over 12 months, which will include vehicle leasing and charging equipment.
An Ergon Energy spokesperson said the vehicles are replacing existing fleet for the 12 months “so it’s almost cost neutral”.
Ergon Energy is ambitious in its EV initiative, and is looking at a future infrastructure that’s more friendly to EVs, although it admits that the “uptake in Australia has been slow”.
Nevertheless, the energy distributor is quick to point out its growing popularity overseas, particularly in the United States, Japan, China, and several European nations.
Ergon Energy has been proactive in its EV adoption, as it announced in July 2015 that its retail business was working with government andindustry to help create an electric vehicle (EV) highway with Australia’s first solar-powered fast-charging station for EVs to be established in Townsville.
And it doesn’t want to see the uptake of EVs stop at just fleet, Ergon Energy is also finalising a lease offer to employees that could lead to a further 100 EVs taken on for private use later in 2015.
Ergon Energy chief executive Ian McLeod said the agreement with Mitsubishi underscored Ergon’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions and embrace emerging technologies.
“Ergon Energy, as a forward thinking electricity distributor believes that wider adoption of EVs will happen,” Mr McLeod said.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia obviously has confidence in its product, as its CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri said he is pleased to partner with the Palaszczuk government and Ergon Energy in its efforts to raise awareness of electric vehicle technology and environmental sustainability.
“The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) are the world’s first Plug-in Hybrid SUV and their versatility will suit Queensland’s robust environment,” Mr Mutsuhiro Oshikiri said.
