Electric chargers installed at South Melbourne Market

By Ellen Blake

Electric vehicle charging stations have been installed at the South Melbourne Market rooftop car park, allowing residents and visitors to charge their electric vehicles for free.

City of Port Phillip Mayor Louise Crawford said the council had invested $150,000 in the charging stations to encourage residents to embrace the new technology.

“As more and more people opt for electric vehicles, it’s important to provide the infrastructure to support this fantastic environmentally-friendly choice,” Cr Crawford said.

The charging stations will be powered, in part, by the 612 solar panels on the roof of the Market and are compatible with all models of electric vehicles.

Mayor Crawford said the installation of the stations would encourage more visitors to the South Melbourne area.

“The installation of the charging stations at South Melbourne Market is a win for residents and visitors, and we hope people will make a day of visiting our city and exploring all we have to offer, while their car charges,” Cr Crawford said.

Transport currently accounts for 16.25 per cent of the Port Phillip community’s carbon emissions.

The council is currently working with partners and electricity providers to install more charging stations on public land.

An electric vehicle report commissioned by the council found that Australian interest in purchasing electric vehicles had tripled between 2018 and 2019.

“We need to be ready for the increase in demand for charging stations,” Cr Crawford said.

The two charging stations are located next to the lift on the market’s rooftop car park •