Sydney gets its first EV charging station

The Motor Report

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Sydney gets its first EV charging station

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While the local arm of American outfit Better Place scored early points when it announced plans to build infrastructure in Canberra, Australian group Chargepoint has this week launched its first EV charging station in Sydney.

Located in Derby Place, Glebe, the charging station can bring the battery of an electric vehicle to full charge in around three hours.

Chargepoint says the station is the first of many, with other capital cities such as Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide set to get their own recharge points before the end of the year.

However, before the other stations are installed, the charging point at Derby Place will be used to measure public response and energy usage.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that the Chargepoint station adds credence to the city's plans to limit access to regular vehicles, motivating the use of more eco- and pedestrian-friendly transport.

Ms Moore added that the city is investigating options for reducing the emissions of its fleet, including the potential purchase plug-in hybrid vehicles and EVs such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The Sydney council is aiming to cut its vehicle emissions by 70 percent, between 2006 levels and its 2030 target.

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Bicycles are also emerging as a popular option for city dwellers, instead of a car. Electric bicycles are also becoming more popular, especially for those people who do not want to 'work up a sweat', when commuting to work. Assuming there is a potential demand for express recharge stations for electric bicycles, Is it possible for these recharge stations to double as an express charging station for electric bicycles?

It's good to see the emergence of hybrids and fully-electric vehicles in large cities, such as Sydney, as it's important to curb the atmospheric pollution being produced from vehicles, hence improving air quality. However, as an Environmental Science student and an informed environmentalist, I think it's important to consider that EVs may not be suitable for all motorists. It is important to recognise that EVs will gradually lose their charge if they are not used regularly, let's say, about once a day or almost every day. Another issue is the indirect source of energy required for an EV (i.e. producing the battery to power the vehicle). Although it's possible to produce an EV battery where renewable energy is used at the battery 'production plant', the only clearcut solution to minimise pollution, for those living in cities, is to catch public transport, carpool or reduce the usage of vehicles where possible. Otherwise,seek a fuel-efficient vehicle suitable for one's work purpose