When completed this network built by Chargefox, which also received $6m in funding from ARENA, will be Australia’s largest ultra-rapid charging system entirely powered by renewable energy. The network will connect the Eastern Seaboard with the first of the stations opening in Euroa, Victoria, in late October which will include large scale solar and battery installation.

Locations currently on the plan for Victoria are Euroa, Horsham, Ballarat, Melbourne, Traralgon and Barnawartha North are expected to be up and running by the end of 2019.

The charging stations can be used by all makes and models of EVs and can add over 400km of range to an electric vehicle in 15 minutes. Compared to current stations available in Australia which can take anywhere from two to eight or more hours depending on the variety.

Research completed last year by RACV highlighted that while 50 per cent of people are willing to consider purchasing an electric vehicle, purchase cost and access to charging infrastructure remain key barriers and concerns to uptake. In considering different charging infrastructure options, respondents considered public fast charging the most important to their decision to purchase an electric vehicle.

RACV Public Policy and Corporate Affairs General Manager, Bryce Prosser, said, it’s important for RACV to invest in emerging technology and infrastructure to ensure members can travel more confidently in their electric vehicles.

“There is a growing trend in the market of battery-powered and hybrid vehicles, so charging will undoubtedly become an important part of our members’ journeys in the future. This investment and partnership alongside the motoring Clubs across Australia provides people an extensive and trusted ultra-rapid charging network.

One of the major barriers that limits the adoption of electric vehicles is their driving range so this provides access to a quality network which helps to alleviate that anxiety,” he said.

Chargefox CEO, Marty Andrews, said the full network would be completed by the end of next year with a total of eight locations planned for Victoria.

“We’re pleased to work alongside RACV and motoring Clubs around Australia to deliver a network of ultrarapid charging stations which connects the Eastern seaboard. The Euroa and Barnawartha sites will connect to Gundagai and Goulburn to enable travel between Melbourne and Sydney.

These locations were identified because they link common travel points along the popular driving routes,” he said.

Source: racv.com.au

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Beat The Heat Victoria is exactly that – founded in 2015 and run by off-duty police officers, Beat the Heat is a program that runs drag racing events with the goal of changing the lives of at-risk youths.

TURNING LIVES AROUND

The Beat the Heat has turned around the lives of many at-risk youths – some who now work within the community and volunteer their time with the program.

Through partnerships with motoring clubs, at-risk youth are given a chance to gain valuable skills with leadership roles and the chance to compete in local drag race competitions. This provides youths in the community with a level of responsibility and respect that they might have had difficulty achieving otherwise.

“Our program is all about supporting youth to become the best that they can be, whether that be the youth who are interested in automotive and are already on their way into automotive, right through to youth who are disengaged, isolated and had a history of being in trouble,” says Senior Constable Danielle Richardson, a member of Beat The Heat Victoria.

Richardson works with youth through races, clubs and local high schools, as well as getting them involved in hands-on activities such as rebuilding a ‘police themed’ motorsport car from the 1990s.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

By tapping into their passion for cars and motorsport, Beat the Heat creates an alliance between at-risk youth and the police. In addition to drag racing, the program teaches car maintenance skills and opens the doors to employment opportunities through partnerships with local car clubs. 

Beat The Heat’s unique approach encourages young people to not only drive responsibly, but it also gives them the tools to make a difference in their communities and their own lives.

POSTIVE POLICE INTERACTIONS

For many young people, often the first interaction they have with the Police is negative – Beat the Heat aims to change that.

Events are held where at-risk youth can test their drag racing skills, not only on each other, but also head-to-head against the police! This creates a positive interaction in a fun, fast and safe environment.

NOT FOR PROFIT

Beat The Heat is a not for profit organisation and relies totally on community support, donations and volunteers to run their programs. Receiving no funding from government grants or from Victorian Police, it relies solely on members from the local police force and the community to donate their time to the program.

Beat the Heat relies on VACC affiliated businesses along with local car clubs to run community youth events. These businesses are carefully selected to ensure that they share the same values and goals of supporting at-risk youth in our communities for greater synergy and positive impact for all involved in the program.

It’s thanks to the support of these sponsors and the community that Beat The Heat has turned around the lives of hundreds of at-risk youth and is able to continue to make a huge difference in the local community.

Source: vacc.com.au

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The VACC Industry Awards is an initiative designed to reward VACC member businesses that meet and exceed the high standards set by the Awards.

“High standards are important to the automotive industry, so VACC initiated the Industry Awards to recognise and promote those businesses who set the bar high and go above and beyond,” said VACC Executive Director, Geoff Gwilym.

Awards in 21 categories were highly sought after by elite businesses across Victoria and included achievement in mechanical and body repairs; car, motorcycle and commercial vehicle sales; tyre retailing; engine reconditioning; towing; and aftermarket & retail business operations. 

Almost 100 applications were received for the 2017 VACC Industry Awards. All were assessed by a panel of judges, whose decisions were audited by a standards expert, on customer service, training, occupational health and safety, environmental compliance, and more.

“VACC acknowledges the high calibre of all applications. In the face of strong competition, motorists can be assured that any business winning a VACC Industry Award this year is a truly fine business. VACC congratulates every one of them,” said Mr Gwilym.

The VACC Industry Awards category winners were announced at a black tie gala evening, featuring master of ceremonies, Shane Jacobson, on Saturday night at the Crown Palladium. 

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