Two electric vehicle charging stations have been installed on the Geelong waterfront at Western Beach Road, along the Cunningham Pier forecourt precinct.
Providing charging stations across our region demonstrates our commitment to connecting Greater Geelong to the national electric vehicle charging station network and supports the Greater Geelong community’s goal, contained in Greater Geelong: a Clever and Creative Future, to be carbon neutral by 2047.
It also demonstrates our commitment to Geelong's designation as a UNESCO City of Design, which is about achieving outcomes towards to Sustainable Development Goal 11: sustainable communities and cities.
We know that electric vehicle uptake is directly related to perceptions about the distances the vehicles can travel, and perceptions about proximity to charging stations. We are working to change those perceptions.
The charging stations are part of a broader initiative within the pier precinct which includes a new pedestrian crossing, footpaths, kerbs and lighting.
The stations have the capacity to charge four vehicles simultaneously. Each socket available at the waterfront charging stations has a rated power output of 22 kilowatts. The charging stations
have Type 2 sockets (BYO cable).
To activate the charging system you need to download the ChargeFox App on your smartphone or device.
The parking restrictions at the charging station carparks allow electric vehicles to park in the designated spaces for while charging. Parking fees apply to this area.
Instructions to activate the charging units
- Plug your charging cord into your vehicle. The charging stations have Type 2 sockets (BYO cable). If you need an adaptor cord, you can order those on the Jet Charge website.
- Activate the charging station by downloading the ChargeFox App and signing in (you’ll be prompted to set up a free account when you first download the App).
- Plug your cord into the machine.
- Press the green button.
- When your vehicle is charged or you wish to leave the station, press the stop button, unplug your cord and continue on your journey. Have a safe journey.
Chargefox support number is 1300 518 038.
The electric vehicle charging stations were funded through a partnership involving the City, the Geelong Manufacturing Council and the Victorian Government through a program called Cleantech Innovations Geelong.
Cleantech Innovations Geelong supports the market development of cleantech goods and services. The program develops business opportunities and creates jobs in Geelong.
More charging station locations
Further charging stations have been installed in Waurn Ponds, Drysdale, Leopold and Armstrong Creek. The publically-accessible community infrastructure will allow residents, and visitors to our region, to contribute to our regional approach to a low carbon future.
A local car share scheme, initiated by CSIRO, is also contributing to the expansion of sustainable transport options in the region. The scheme was launched in 2017, following a successful trial in 2016. It represents a partnership between CSIRO staff at Waurn Ponds, with support from Flexicar (Hertz) and Deakin University. CSIRO went to an open tender for car share and replaced leased fleet cars at Waurn Ponds with Flexicar share cars to gain both financial and environmental benefits for the organisation.
The use of the share cars by non-CSIRO staff has been significant, far greater than anticipated; suggesting that Geelong residents are open and willing to embrace this new mobility option.
While CSIRO staff are using the car share scheme frequently, non-CSIRO staff have accounted for over 35% of share car bookings at Waurn Ponds campus and over 85% at Waterfront campus.
The number of share cars in Geelong almost doubled in February 2017 after a Deakin University decision to follow the CSIRO lead. There are now five share cars at the Deakin University Waurn Ponds campus and six share cars at the Deakin University Waterfront campus.
Council vehicles are being charged at our Depots too. Two dual port 22.5kW EV chargers – with the capacity to charge up to four vehicles simultaneously – will be installed at both Belmont and Corio depots.
The City received a $48,000 grant from the Victorian government to help deliver the infrastructure, via the EV Charging for Council Fleets program. The program awarded grants to 26 Victorian councils, and plans to install about 120 private EV charging stations at 57 council sites across Victoria by May 2023.
Need to know more...
For more information about the state of electric vehicles in Australia, visit the ClimateWorks Australia website. ClimateWorks Australia assisted us in the production of the Low Carbon Growth Plan for Geelong.