Armidale Regional Council has taken delivery of two new Hyundai Kona electric cars and put to work an electric forklift at its water plant and a zero-turn lawnmower at the airport as part of organisational efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
The addition of electric vehicles aligns with the Council’s Renewable Energy Action Plan (REAP).
“When we were discussing policies for the REAP, one area that was pinpointed for potential improvement was Council’s fleet,” said Mayor, Sam Coupland.
“By integrating electric cars, lawnmowers, and forklifts into our fleet, we are not only taking significant strides toward meeting our sustainability goals but also making a lasting impact on reducing emissions at a local level.
“Electric vehicles not only deliver exceptional performance with smooth acceleration and quiet operation, but they also offer long-term cost savings, reduced emissions, and a cleaner, more sustainable future for our communities.”
Council Manager Plant, fleet and Depots, Lachlan Hogg said the new all-electric additions were performing well and impressing the staff operating them.
“We have a 60-inch zero-turn electric lawn mower that has been operating out at the airport and it far outperforms any previous version of lawnmowers we have had,” said Mr Hogg.
“The two fully electric Hyundai Konas will be rolled out as fleet/pool cars in the near future as soon as staff training has been completed.
“They are incredibly quiet and smooth to drive and they can travel around 480 kilometres on one charge. We are installing two new chargers underneath Council in Rusden Street that will be able to charge two cars simultaneously.
“Council is taking a step in the right direction with the introduction of the new electric cars, mower and forklift.
“Climate change is real and we need to push forward with positive changes in regard to reducing our carbon footprint and the plan is to introduce more electric vehicles into Council’s fleet in the near future.”
