Electric vehicles go the distance in remote road test

Electric vehicles (EVs) can go the distance to essential services in remote and regional Australia, a new study from The Australian National University shows.  

Co-author Dr Bjorn Sturmberg says the use of EVs in remote communities is more feasible than might be expected. 

‘We analysed the distances between people's homes and the nearest "service hub" towns - where they might go to the do the shopping, for example,’ Dr Sturmberg, said. He noted that 93% of residents could do those trips even with the lower-range of currently available EVs.

‘We need to do better. Electric vehicles shouldn't be left in the too-hard basket. It's an unequitable and unfair path forward if remote and regional communities are the last ones left driving diesel vehicles, especially as they will be some of the most impacted by catastrophic climate change,’ Dr Sturmberg said. 

Transport emissions are a major impact on climate change. 

‘The transport sector is responsible for 25% of global emissions and more than 18% of Australia's greenhouse gas pollution,' Dr Sturmberg said.  

‘It must rapidly decarbonise, and electric vehicles are going to be a crucial part of that decarbonisation.’ 

The research has been published in Australian Geographer.

[Source: ANU]

[Photo: Dr Bjorn Sturmberg by Jamie Kidston/ANU]