Published on Monday, 28 February 2022 at 10:14:40 AM
BACKGROUND: The Shire of Denmark is beginning the transition to electric vehicles with the arrival of its first electric vehicle joining the corporate fleet recently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What electric vehicles are joining the Shire of Denmark fleet and when are they arriving?
Our very first electric vehicle, a Hyundai Ionic, has already arrived at the Shire and replaces the out-going lease vehicle used principally by Councillors to attend events elsewhere in the region and beyond. We have also purchased a Tesla Model 3 which we expect will arrive in March 2022. This will replace an out-going lease vehicle used by our staff.
How much are these electric vehicles costing ratepayers?
The upfront cost for purchasing the Hyundai Ionic is $45,049.55 and $55,704.55 for the Tesla Model 3. The cost of ‘fuelling’ these electric vehicles will be negligible as the Shire Administration Building collects solar power which can charge these cars at no cost, as opposed to regular visits to fuel stations for petrol and diesel. Other operational and maintenance costs are also lower for electric vehicles than the costs associated with internal combustion engines.
Why bother with the Tesla? Couldn’t we just get two Hyundais?
It’s all about range. The Tesla provides us with the option to travel longer distances, such as to Perth, with minimal delays to charge. The Hyundai will be suitable for use on shorter-range distances, such as around our Shire and for when we visit our neighbouring Local Governments.
Why does the Shire even need a fleet of corporate vehicles?
Local Governments across Australia maintain fleets of corporate vehicles so staff and Councillors may carry out their duties throughout the Shire and so they may attend meetings and events elsewhere in the regions.
What is the Shire doing about charging infrastructure in Denmark, Nornalup and Peaceful Bay?
Council approved a line item in this year’s budget for $40,000 worth of funding to go towards the installation of a fast-charging point in the Denmark townsite. Further details on this to come!
How big of a difference is this going to make to the Shire’s carbon footprint?
Electric vehicles do not produce tailpipe emissions but there are emissions associated with the manufacturing. When compared to internal combustion engines over their entire lifecycle, electric vehicles produce a lower total amount of emissions and this can be further reduced by using renewable energy to charge the vehicles. Specific to the Shire, this is our first step towards a transition of our corporate fleet towards electric vehicle technology. We don’t have a timeline in place yet, but our hopes are to replace all out-of-lease fleet vehicles with electric vehicles in future.
What else is the Shire doing to reduce its carbon footprint?
We encourage our community members to read through our Sustainability Strategy Key Principles and Objectives to get a sense of the work the Shire of Denmark is doing on sustainability. When Council adopted our Sustainability Strategy in March 2021, we committed to work towards a net-zero emissions target as an important step in tackling climate change, and specifically to reduce the carbon footprint for the fleet of corporate vehicles. We’re proud to be achieving these objectives and we look forward to ticking off more on our big list of ambitions!
Resources:
WA Government Electric Vehicle Strategy
Shire of Denmark Sustainability Strategy
Back to All News