Chargepoint EV Charging Station Opened In Sydney

WHILE THE local arm of American outfit Better Place scored early points when it announced plans to build infrastructure in Canberra, Australian group Chargepoint has this week launched its first EV charging station in Sydney.

Located in Derby Place, Glebe, the charging station can bring the battery of an electric vehicle to full charge in around three hours. 

Chargepoint says the station is the first of many, with other capital cities such as Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide set to get their own recharge points before the end of the year.

However, before the other stations are installed, the charging point at Derby Place will be used to measure public response and energy usage.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that the Chargepoint station adds credence to the city's plans to limit access to regular vehicles, motivating the use of more eco- and pedestrian-friendly transport.

Ms Moore added that the city is investigating options for reducing the emissions of its fleet, including the potential purchase of plug-in hybrid vehicles and EVs such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The Sydney council is aiming to cut its vehicle emissions by 70 percent from 2006 levels by 2030.