Russell Klose of Kilowatt Cars in Yackandandah loaned the vehicle to Benalla Sustainable Future Group, allowing members to take some trips around Victoria.
These included short journeys and longer overnight trips around the state.
BSFG president Peter Holmes said Mr Klose and a colleague visited Benalla last year and spoke to BSFG members and visitors about the pros and cons of electric car ownership.
“(He then) offered to loan a car so people could experience the driving and charging characteristics first-hand,” Mr Holmes said.
Mr Klose said the objective of the loan was to overcome some of the mystique and myths about EV ownership by offering people a positive personal experience of the cars.
“The loan was totally on a no-obligation basis,” Mr Klose said
The EV spent more than a month in and around Benalla with trips to Wangaratta, Shepparton and Castlemaine.
It also was driven to Mt Samaria, where the driver was amazed with its capabilities on rural tracks.
“The universal response of borrowers was that it was quiet, refined, enjoyable, comfortable and sporty,” Mr Holmes said.
Range anxiety was mentioned by BSFG members prior to taking the EV out.
Mr Holmes said that dissipated once they had an opportunity to have a drive.
“We were most appreciative of Russell’s generosity, and it changed many people’s perceptions and probably brought forward a number of planned future EV purchases in Benalla,” Mr Holmes said.
“Changing our transport fleet to non-fossil fuels is both inevitable and essential to address current emissions.
“EVs are one of the strategies we need to adopt quickly to avert the worst outcomes of global climate change.”
For more information visit www.bsfg.org.au/ or contact Russell Klose at Kilowatt Cars via www.kilowattcars.com.au/ or phone 0427 562 144.
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