$2.2 MILLION FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EVS IN MELBOURNE’S WEST
The Hon Chris Bowen MP
MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY
MEMBER FOR McMAHON
Joanne Ryan MP
CHIEF GOVERNMENT WHIP
MEMBER FOR LALOR
The Hon Tim Watts MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MEMBER FOR GELLIBRAND
20 September 2024
The Albanese Government’s Driving the Nation Fund will invest $2.2 million to help three local governments in Melbourne’s West integrate electric vehicles (EVs) into their fleets, lowering running and maintenance costs and cutting climate pollution.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) grant will see the rollout of Wyndham City’s Local Council Battery Electric Vehicle Integration Project across Wyndham City, Brimbank City and Moonee Valley City councils.
This project will provide ratepayers with cost-savings and speed up efforts to reduce transport emissions.
Councils will integrate seven heavy battery vehicles, 65 light battery vehicles, and install charging infrastructure across the council areas.
ARENA will contribute $2.2 million towards the $8.9 million project which will transition a range of vehicles in local government fleets to EVs, totalling more than 400 vehicles over three years.
Quotes attributable to Minister Bowen:
“This project shows what is possible when Federal and local Governments work together.
This funding through ARENA will help these three local governments help to transition their fleets to Battery Electric Vehicles, providing cost savings for ratepayers while reducing their carbon footprint.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Watts:
“This Federal funding will mean cost savings for local government and cleaner air for our community.”
Quotes attributable to Joanne Ryan MP:
“The outer suburbs of Melbourne are leading the charge in the uptake of electric vehicles, as they are cheaper and cleaner option for locals who travel further for work and life.
EV ownership in Wyndham grew by almost a factor of 7 between 2021 & 2023, and this investment will see another step in the EV revolution we’re seeing locally.”
Media contact (Tim Watts MP): Laura Green - 0410 583 066
