The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) is driving environmental awareness by taking delivery of its first State Government fleet vehicle to feature 100 per cent zero emission technology.

The CCMA’s zero emission vehicle (ZEV), a Hyundai Kona Electric, will be ZEV branded and cover a lot of ground throughout the Corangamite region, helping to raise awareness about the Government’s drive towards a state-wide net zero emissions target by 2050.

The Andrews Labor Government’s fleet conversion is well underway, backed by a $15 million investment to add 400 ZEVs and associated charging stations over two years. To help spark community interest in the take-up of sustainable transport, the Government will make the ZEVs available for public purchase at the end of their lease.

The CCMA has already made significant progress in reducing emissions through infrastructure and service improvements, renewable energy infrastructure and new attitudes to resource use.

Replacing an existing petrol CCMA pool vehicle, the new Kona has a 480km range, enabling longer trips without the need to charge en route. All ZEVs in the Government fleet will have a dedicated charging station where cars are garaged.

In addition to reducing emissions, the CCMA’s Kona will also deliver ongoing cost savings due to lower maintenance and running costs than its petrol or diesel predecessors.

Victorian-based JET Charge is fast-tracking the Government fleet’s ZEV transition as the contractor supplying and installing the charging infrastructure across Government-owned and leased buildings. The 7kW charging stations are manufactured in Victoria.

The Government has also invested $19 million in grants to expand the publicly accessible fast-charging network, including in Camperdown, Port Fairy, Portland and Stawell.

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio

“This is an important step towards ZEVs making up half of all light vehicle sales by 2030, part of our nation-leading climate action which will see us slash emissions by 50 per cent by the same year.”