The Victorian state government is now inviting households wishing to be part of its five-year trial of electric vehicles to submit Expressions of Interest. (See Hitching a ride on an electric vehicle trial on this blog 28 September 2010).Initial press reports gave the impression that the trial was going to be conducted primarily in Melbourne, but yesterday Victoria's Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan made a point of inviting people in regional Victoria to participate.
About 60 vehicles will be used in the trial, provided by Blade Electric Vehicles*, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan and EDay Life. Public charging infrastructure will be supplied by Better Place, ECOtality and ChargePoint.
Participants must have a valid driver's licence. To submit an expression of Interest, you'll need a recent electricity bill and an idea of your household's annual income. Go to the RACV's website (www.racv.com.au) and click '3' on the rolling graphics at the top of the home page. This will take you to an online survey, followed by the Expression of Interest. One of the questions on the online survey asks for the number of your electricity meter - which is why you need a recent electricity bill. It also asks you for your annual household income (but doesn't say why).
Good luck! Please let DCSCA know if you're successful (either leave a comment on this blog or e-mail dryclift@bigpond.com).
* Blade Electric Vehicles, in Castlemaine, sells its Blade Electron vehicle (a modified Hyundai Getz) to government, business and private users across Australia and New Zealand.
You might be interested to learn that no Blade vehicles will be available to the public as part of the trial. Only councils have access to them. Ask your local member "why not?"!!!
ReplyDeleteHi 'Anonymous'. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteThe statement that Blade would be participating comes from the state government's announcement of the trial. Would you like to give any more information about councils' exclusive access to Blade vehicles? That would make it easier to ask questions.