Victorian school trials solar powered EV charging, eyes off-grid future

The Driven

In what is a first for Victoria and possibly Australia, a college in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs has installed an electric vehicle charger as part of its sustainability program.

The electric vehicle charger is part of a pilot being run by the Beaconhills College, which has 3,000 students and 500 staff across three campuses, to explore the benefits and suitability of switching to electric vehicles in the future as well as present an opportunity to students to study the zero emissions form of transport.

The dual port 22kW Aura charger is made by Swedish ChargeAmp and has the ability to charge an electric vehicle at a rate of up to 100km per hour of charge (depending on the vehicle), and is powered off a 100kW solar system.

“Our Sustainability Coordinator Jack Donkers explored electric vehicle charging options, ways in which we could reduce air pollution around our campuses and how to encourage the uptake of EVs, both at the College and in the wider community,” said college headmaster Tony Sheumack in a statement.

“The information the Aura generates will be used in the classroom to help students understand the benefits of electric vehicles and help them be more informed when purchasing a car in future.”

Melbourne-based electric vehicle infrastructure specialists EVolution Australia partnered with the college to install the Aura EV charging station.