MEDIA RELEASE 
27 April 2016

Adelaide's first electric car share vehicle on the streets 

South Australia’s first electric powered car share vehicle has been launched today at The Joinery community environment space at 111 Franklin Street. 

The solar energy project is coordinated by the state’s peak environment body Conservation SA.

Conservation SA Chief Executive Craig Wilkins said it is a fantastic opportunity for Adelaide residents to test drive an electric car by taking it for a spin.

“The Joinery is offering an opportunity to trial innovative new lifestyle options right here in Adelaide. This is a terrific showcase of cutting edge South Australian based energy and transport technology.” 

The project came together with the strong support of a range of local suppliers, including Tindo solar, Redflow batteries, Gelcoservices, the Energy Project, Mitsubishi and Sustainable Works, in partnership with the GoGet, Australia's first and largest car share service.

Conservation SA is especially grateful for funding from the South Australian Government Department of State Development and Adelaide City Council.

This is one of the first installations of combined battery system under the Adelaide City Council's Sustainable City Incentives Scheme and the first small-scale commercial installation of Redflow batteries in Adelaide. 

“To become the world’s first carbon-neutral city, Adelaide will need to quickly embrace different ways of powering our homes and moving around,” Mr Wilkins said.

He encouraged the community to take the community electric car for a spin. 

50 Tindo solar panels installed on the roof of The Joinery produce an average of 52kWhours of energy each day to power the building and charge the GoGet Share Car with electric power. Energy is also stored in the Redflow batteries.

Redflow Executive Chairman Simon Hackett said the Redflow batteries installed by Conservation SA allowed it to lead by example.

“This installation is a great way to show the real-world benefits of using energy storage to improve the outcomes delivered by renewable energy generation,” he said. “Redflow batteries effectively let Conservation SA timeshift their renewable energy, which can be harvested by solar panels when the sun is shining, to harness this energy when it’s needed, even if that’s in the middle of the night,” Mr Hackett said.

GoGet car share is offering this Electrical Vehicle (EV) first for South Australia. 

Justin Passaportis, GoGet General Manager for Victoria and South Australia, emphasised that environmental benefit is already built into the business model of car share.

“The key is that car share allows people to reduce their dependence and use of vehicles, cutting their costs and helping the environment. The EV brings another dimension to this car share benefit,” Mr Passaportis said.

“Today’s launch is another example of how South Australia is leading the way in terms of advanced urban planning and transport.  We also anticipate governments —perhaps even the government of South Australia— adopting car share as a fleet management tool so they too can enjoy the benefits that the City of Adelaide is already experiencing,” said Mr Passaportis.

The GoGet car share allows people to sign up as members and to book a share car online, to use on an hourly basis or for the day. By splitting the fixed costs of car ownership across many drivers, it’s an easy and cost-efficient alternative to private car ownership, reducing cars on the road and improving neighbourhood parking.

People can sign up as a GoGet member at The Joinery or visit our website at www.thejoinery.org.au.

Media Contact: Meg Sobey, Communications, 0411 028 930