With transport accounting for some 32 per cent of Noosa’s emissions, electric vehicle uptake and the installation of charging stations in the Noosa Shire are among the key strategies being pursued by Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN) Inc.
“Noosa has been very successful in the uptake of residential solar and we now have some 11.7 MW installed,” said Anne Kennedy, chair of ZEN.
“40 per cent of residential dwellings have solar and 23 per cent of businesses, but with 32 per cent of Noosa Shire’s community emissions attributable to transport, the reduction of emissions from this sector remains a major challenge.
“If the recent release of the Federal Government’s electric vehicle strategy confirmed anything it is that electric vehicle uptake is critical in helping us achieve our goals”.
ZEN has embarked on a number of strategies to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles across the shire.
These include advocating for the installation of a number of EV charging stations in the Noosa Shire, support for Noosa Council initiatives, particularly those strategies that would encourage the TransLink bus service to change to electric buses, the development and promotion of on-demand public transport, advocacy for, and implementation of, various forms of transport (e.g., e-bike, e-scooter sharing) that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and planning for greenhouse gas or carbon offsets (planting trees and other carbon capture technologies to offset transport emissions.
Ms Kennedy said plans were well advanced for next year’s Electric Vehicle Expo on 19 June 2022 .
“We anticipate that in the next few years the uptake of electric vehicles will be on a significantly upward trajectory and it is important that our infrastructure can meet the challenges of the changed environment,” she said.
“Infrastructure planning for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games will be critical and we welcome that Mayor Stewart has thrown her support behind the region-wide effort to force urgent action on key transport and liveability projects through the “Let’s Get Moving” campaign”.
Joe’s electrifying moment
Noosa resident, Joe Shlegeris and his family made the switch to 100 per cent EVs seven years ago with the purchase of a Tesla Model S, and more recently, the acquisition of a Kona Electric.
Whilst these models are expensive, Joe has not looked back, finding EVs a “wonderful” and “elegant” alternative to fuel combustion vehicles. He finds them perfect for zippy trips around Noosa Shire and longer distance journeys, especially with the Queensland Government’s investment in super-charger stations along the Electric Super Highway (now in phase three of its rollout).
For Joe, one of the main benefits of his two EVs are the negligible service and charging costs. Any home with solar panels can charge an EV for virtually nothing, and because EVs have fewer parts than fuel combustion engines, they need virtually no servicing. But Joe said the biggest benefit of making the switch is “the money you don’t pay to an oil company for fuel” which feels just as satisfying as not paying money for grid electricity because of rooftop solar.
The two models Joe has purchased are expensive vehicles, and would be considered a luxury car option for many.
But, especially as the market expands, more and more affordable EVs are landing on Australia’s shores. You can also check out bulk EV purchase options, like the Good Car Co, which support Australians to purchase overseas second-hand EVs at more affordable prices.
The EV is the car of the future. A low emissions alternative to traditional petrol cars that allows you to drive around Noosa’s lush suburbs and beaches – confident that you are contributing to the preservation of our environment for future generations.
If you would like to find out more please visit our website: zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au
– Annika Reynolds
