Western Australia’s principal water supplier Water Corporation has introduced two full-electric vehicles (EVs), the first of a wider commitment to further reducing carbon emissions and minimising its environmental footprint.
The move comes as the organisation aims to achieve its target of becoming a zero net greenhouse gas emission utility by 2050.
Water Corporation currently has 102 passenger vehicles in its metropolitan fleet, including 30 hybrid EVs. Over the next five years, the Corporation will transition up to 40 percent of its metropolitan fleet to EV as existing vehicles in the fleet are renewed.
Two Hyundai Konas are now available to Water Corporation employees for daily tasks in the metropolitan area. These EVs are fully powered by an on-board battery and have the capacity to travel 449km on a single charge.
The EVs have a 5-star ANCAP Safety Rating and will also be future fitted with In-vehicle Safety Assist – a new Water Corporation system designed to promote safe driving behaviours.
Charging stations have been installed at Water Corporation’s Leederville office to enable the vehicles to be charged when not in use. Further charging stations will be installed as the number of EVs in the Corporation’s fleet increases.
“I commend Water Corporation for its approach to responsible environmental stewardship, and being an early adopter in taking up EVs as part of its fleet,” said Water Minister Dave Kelly.
“Water Corporation’s commitment supports a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that I signed in 2018 on behalf of the WA Government with other Australian jurisdictions to identify opportunities to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles.”
