City of Newcastle Explores Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions

BY OLIVIA DILLON

City of Newcastle is looking into future charging options for electric vehicle (EV) drivers who park on the street. 

At its Ordinary Meeting tomorrow night, council will discuss two notices of motion concerning the future of EVs in the region. 

The first, concerns a future upgrade for the Adamstown Local Centre, and asks council to incorporate public EV charging into their plans for the area. 

The second asks council to provide the best possible solutions for curbside residential charging in its planning and policy for the city moving forward. 

Councillor Carol Duncan, said the City of Newcastle is committed to moving forward with sustainability issues. 

"We know that EVs are coming at us really rapidly. We've got the internal combustion manufacturers already giving us deadlines on production, so that is going to cease. What we want to do is make sure that the city and residents are ready and catered for as that change comes through," Ms Duncan said. 

One option being considered by council would see EVs charged on the street using power poles. 

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is currently running a number of trials for the solution, with council awaiting results. 

"If you think about quite a lot of the suburbs surrounding the city, there are a lot of residents who don't have off-street parking. How are they going to be catered for as that move to EVs comes through?" Ms Duncan noted. 

She also said council will consider all viable charging options before the switch is made. 

"A conduit that is run under your footpath and bored out with water and a little pop-up station next to your car, is that a solution? Is the EVs on power poles trial part of the solution? Or is an overhead arm part of the solution?"

"What I really want to make sure of is that we've investigated all the possibilities, so that when people come to us and ask for it, we have the solutions in-hand to offer them," she said. 

Hunter residents encouraged to consider a switch on World Electric Vehicle Day

BY RAVELLE EATON

It's World Electric Vehicle Day today and Hunter residents are being encouraged to consider the benefits of EVs, including reducing the release of carbon emissions. 

Data released from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries shows that EV purchases are at a record high. 

Climate Action Newcastle's Ian Wilcox says drivers should consider their own circumstances before purchasing. 

"For people that do a good number of kilometres, you know, in excess of maybe $15,000, it will make sense straight away," he said.

"For people that do less it may not make economic sense straight away, but that changes as the electric car cost comes down." 

Although electric vehicles might not be a right fit for everyone, advocates say can still have huge advantages including creating manufacturing and job opportunities, improved health outcomes and reduce emissions. 

Solar-powered car departs Newcastle for Australian round trip

BY DAKOTA TAIT

An electric car has embarked on the first leg of a round trip of Australia on Friday, departing Newcastle for a journey largely powered by the sun.

The University of Newcastle team is attempting to cover just over 15,000 kilometres in a few months, aiming to cover around 130 kilometres a day.

The vehicle will be charged mostly by solar panels, though they'll use conventional charging points in urban areas.

Professor Paul Dastoor, Director of the Centre for Organic Electronics, says it's a chance to do away of some of the so-called 'range anxiety' around long-distance trips. 

"We're taking an electric vehicle - a Tesla - anti-clockwise around Australia, charged by printed solar," he said. "The sort of lightweight renewable energy technology we've developed here at the University of Newcastle."

"It's our first opportunity to road-test printed solar. This journey is all about expanding people's appreciation of electric vehicles."

Each of the 18 printed solar sheets is 18 metres long and weighs 12 kilograms, but they will be rolled up and stored in the boot while the car's on the road.

It takes around six hours to charge the car for 160 kilometres of driving, but the team's estimated the charging costs for the entire trip at just $80.

The team will also be visiting schools around the country to deliver a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Roadshow. 

"It gives us an opportunity to actually test the technology we've developed and also to deliver an education program across Australia," Prof Dastoor said.

"Being able to go out to regional, rural, and outback schools, and talk to them about how the science they're learning in their classroom translates to university studies, to research, and then ultimately, technology that will change people's lives."

Image credit: Charge Around Australia.

New planning controls to require Newcastle developments to be electric vehicle ready

BY DAKOTA TAIT

New developments in Newcastle could soon be required to be outfitted to be ready for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as part of a proposed change to planning rules.

Council is set to discuss the plan at Tuesday night's meeting, with a public exhibition to follow over the next 28 days. 

Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk says it's a small investment, with a big impact.

"We know that in five to ten years, many garages across the city will be home to an electric vehicle, so it's really appropriate that our building standards adapt to allow buildings to be EV ready," Cr Adamczyk said.

"Through really simple actions, we're ensuring that the city is ready for the future."

The planning controls are the first of their kind in the city.

It would mean all new development over $200,000 and any development involving garages and parking will need to have the appropriate cabling and conduits. 

It's estimated to set developers back $50 to $300 per parking space, although it's still considered cheaper than retrofitting properties.

Cr Adamczyk says it's important the city gets ahead of the curve. 

"I think we're definitely leading the way," Cr Adamczyk said. 

"What we've done is look to other best practice cases, like Woollahra in New South Wales, who have had these controls in place for about seven years.

"We know that momentum is building towards an electric future, so it's really time for us to be leading this charge."