The (not) dirty dozen hit Canberra

Better Place has kicked off its inaugural Australian deployment in Canberra with the announcement of the first ‘exclusive group’ of a dozen local organisations who’ve bought into the initial roll-out of its EV charging network.

Each of the 12 organisations, representing public and private sectors, has agreed to install Better Place charge stations on their premises in and around Canberra.

The ACT government heads up the list, along with the ACT Electric Vehicle Council and power utility ActewAGL, with which Better Place has signed a renewable-sourced electricity supply deal.

Also involved are Canberra Airport, Capital Hotel Group, Crowne Plaza, the National Convention Centre, telco TransACT and developers CIC Australia, Hindmarsh, Lend Lease and Rock Development Group.

Asked about how many charge stations Canberrans can expect to see, Better Place spokeswoman Felicity Glennie-Holmes told motoring.com.au that the numbers haven’t been finalised yet.

“And they won’t be for some time, because they’ll grow fairly rapidly. At first we’re looking at 80 to 100 through the ACT, but that’ll rise. By this time next year you can expect to see hundreds of them.”

Quizzed on the battery swap stations (such as the one pictured) – the company’s signature technology – Glennie-Holmes says the company will be making announcements “in due course. But we’re keen to have some in place by about mid next year.”

The critical factor on that front lies with the arrival of Renault’s Fluence ZE – the first EV to go to market designed from scratch to use the Better Place stations. The more swap stations the company can set up, the more strongly it and Renault can claim the Fluence ZE to be the first ‘unlimited range’ EV.

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says the announcement is a milestone on her government’s road to cut CO2 emissions 40 per cent by 2020.

“We’re pleased to be involved in the initiative with Better Place and the other foundation members of the network, who are committed to reducing pollution. Making the transition from petrol to electric driving in this region is one of the most positive ways Canberra citizens can reduce their carbon emissions, decrease pollution and preserve our quality of life.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that positive change can be achieved through the cooperation and partnership of business and citizens. I am pleased that Canberra is the first city in which Better Place will roll out its electric car charge network and I congratulate those with the vision to make it happen,” the Chief Minister said.

Property developer CIC Australia is extending the Better Place network to its flagship project, the new self-contained township of Googong, seven kilometres outside Queanbeyan.

“That means making provision for meter boxes and wiring for electric car charge spots in every home that will be built there through our Design Guidelines, to avoid the cost of retrofitting and to futureproof the community,” regional general manager Malcolm Leslie said in a statement.

Residents who sign up with Better Place will receive subsidised private installation, with access to charge spots installed in public areas as well. CIC will also install a charge spot at its Canberra headquarters to pave the way for its own EV fleet.

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