Moreland City Council is excited to play host to two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles over the next two months as Council continues to develop and deliver innovative environmental initiatives that help lead the way for the local government sector in Victoria and Australia.
Council has partnered with Toyota Australia to trial two hydrogen fuel cell powered Mirais as part of its ongoing investigation of options to provide a zero-emissions transport fuel for its commercial vehicle fleet.
Moreland Mayor Councillor Natalie Abboud said Moreland had demonstrated its strong support of zero-emissions vehicle technologies over the last six years.
“Moreland has played a leading advocacy role in support of battery electric vehicles, with a current fleet of 14 vehicles – in 2013 we installed Victoria’s first electric vehicle ‘Fast Charge’ station in partnership with the Victorian Government,” said Cr Abboud.
“Six years on, we now have 10 public charging stations across the municipality, free to use 24/7, encouraging the uptake of zero emission modes of transport in the Moreland community.
“This exciting trial, in partnership with Toyota Australia, is a continuation of Moreland’s environmental sustainability journey and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to stimulate development of zero-emissions transport options powered by renewable energy sources.”
Toyota Australia’s Manager of Advanced Technology Vehicles, Matt MacLeod, said the loans to Moreland City Council were another important step towards raising public awareness of zero emissions vehicles.
“Moreland City Council are strong advocates of zero emissions solutions and we look forward to seeing how they use the in-demand Mirai,” Mr MacLeod said.
Moreland Council hopes the trial will strengthen support and stimulate collaboration opportunities to develop a renewable hydrogen generation facility in Moreland, with a view to transitioning Councils commercial fleet to hydrogen fuel cell technologies over time as vehicles become available.
The community can follow the trial via Council’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, with chances to win prizes just for spotting and snapping Moreland’s Toyota Mirais. Simply snap a photo if you see the Moreland Mirais out about and use #MorelandMirai2019 to be put in the draw to win a locally sourced, sustainable and ethical prize pack.
