Local power (PV + EV)

Although Local Power is well known as a Brisbane Solar PV company, we have a long history of interest in EVs. 

We see Solar PV, together with EVs and a smart grid (PV + EV), as the perfect fit.  Together these will make Australia much more sustainable, not just with renewable energy, but they will also dramatically reduce our oil imports, along with our CO2 emissions.  PV + EV will also reduce our regular vehicle pollution (NOX & SOX), and therefore greatly improving the air quality in our cities.

In October 2019 we took a Tesla Model 3 SR+ (which has a range of 360-380km) on a 7000km+ road trip, from the Gold Coast to Cairns and then to Melbourne and back.  You can find out all about that trip by watching the short videos on our blog.
The photo of the Model 3 was taken near the 180MW Mt Emerald Windfarm on the Atherton tablelands, south west of Cairns.

In August 2018 we had the first possible look at the Tesla Model 3.  This is the first one in a showroom in Brisbane, and one of the first few in Australia.  Unfortunately it was left hand drive so sadly no test drives. You can see all the photos and keep in touch with us on our facebook page

In August 2016 our Nissan LEAF, along with several other EVs, supported the Queensland launch of the BZE Electric Vehicles report. 

"Beyond Zero Emissions’ Electric Vehicles Report (2016) shows that the shift to 100% electric vehicles (EV) in Australia is both feasible and affordable within 10 years, and provides a range of environmental, health and other benefits to the economy"

In September 2015 our LEAF was the lead vehicle in a bicycle event, driving across the kurilpa pedestrian bridge and through the Brisbane CBD.  It also played loud music from a stereo in the boot during the drive/ride.  An EV was chosen for this role having the advantage that no exhaust would be breathed in by the 1000 cyclists following.

In June 2012 we started using a 100% Electric Nissan LEAF which has a real world range of 120-130km.  After 7.5 years, it's now done over 135,000km of 100% electric driving.  As you can see in the cutout view, the batteries are stacked under the floor and under the back seat.

In January 2012 Local Power held a free public screening (perhaps the first screening in Australia) of the new documentary "Revenge of the Electric Car" at QUT in partnership and with the support of AEVA, ANZSES, BZE, ATA.  This documentary is the sequel to "Who killed the electric car?" which is the story of the GM EV1.

In October 2009 we saw our first Tesla Roadsters in the flesh in California

EV Charging

In our experience 99% of EV charging happens at home.  Simply plug the car into the charger in the garage at the end of the day, which takes a few seconds, and the car is then charged by morning and ready to drive.

There are several high speed charging networks being built which are useful for longer distance driving.  These include:

• Queensland Electric Superhighway
• NRMA fast charging network
• Tesla superchargers
• Chargefox
• Evie

EVs in Australia

Almost every car manufacturer in the world has announced they will be building EVs.  Today in Australia we have or soon will have (in alphabetical order):

• Audi e-tron
• BMW i3
• Hyundai Ioniq, Kona
• Jaguar iPace
• Mercedes EQC
• Nissan LEAF
• Renault Zoe
• Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3

By 2022 there will be hundreds of models.

EV Engineering

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are much simpler than traditionl ICE (Internal Combusion Engine) vehicles and have many less moving parts.  This makes them more reliable and cheaper to maintain.

Some experienced automotive engineers like Sandy Munro and their consulting engineering teams have taken EVs apart and compared the EV technology from various manufacturers like Tesla, GM and BMW.  Some EV Youtubers like Sean Mitchell have reviewed these reports and interviewed him.  A sample of these are below.

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You can support the work of Local Power (PV + EV) and keep in touch by using the links below

Solar Inverter Covers - http://bit.ly/SIC-au
Local Power Solar PV - Brisbane Qld Australia - http://bit.ly/LP-au
Local Power Facebook
Local Power Youtube
If you plan on buying a Tesla EV, you can receive free 1500km supercharging by using this referral code - https://ts.la/robert70830