Tasmania is a leader in climate change action as we continue to transition towards a low-emissions economy, and we have achieved our target of net zero emissions four years in a row.
Last year, the Tasmanian Government set an ambitious target to transition its vehicle fleet to 100 per cent electric vehicles by 2030 and we continue to support the roll-out of a state-wide charging network.
An important part of the transition to electric vehicles is developing appropriate charging and network infrastructure. That’s why today I was very pleased to help TasNetworks launch a new Electric Vehicle home-charging trial in Tasmania, which will provide 22 Tasmanian EV owners with a $2000 ‘smart fast charger’ to charge their vehicles at home more efficiently and help energy networks better forecast load-growth and prepare for increasing EV uptake.
The $3.4 million trial is being funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), TasNetworks, and four other Australian Network providers and will also include home trials in Victoria and ACT.
Trials like these capitalise on Tasmania’s renewable energy advantage and demonstrate our leadership in innovation and aligns with our commitment to double our renewable energy generation to 200 per cent of our current needs by 2040.
The 2020-21 Budget allocates $2.3 million over three years to continue our sensible and measured transition to electric vehicles.
Based on currently available models and technologies, our ten-year transition will save in maintenance and fuel costs, reduce emissions, increase demand for our reliable, clean and affordable renewable energy and provide a second-hand market for the community.
For more information about the trial and to submit an expression of interest, visit: www.evgrid.com.au