AS MANY as a dozen electric vehicle charging stations could be set up across Lake Macquarie in coming years under a new council strategy.
Councillors unanimously voted to adopt the electric vehicle charging strategy on Monday night and on Tuesday the council revealed it had purchased four new electric vehicles for its fleet.
The strategy, unveiled in September, lays out a framework to install charging stations at key locations across the city and a series of initiatives to support the growth of the industry.
Under the strategy, some charging stations will be installed and maintained by council while private enterprises will roll out others.
Lake Macquarie council's manager environmental systems, Tim Browne, said while combustion engine vehicles still comprised the vast majority of car sales, a continued trend towards electric was inevitable.
He said electric vehicle sales tripled in Australia last year, while the sale of combustion engine cars fell by almost eight per cent.
"Passenger vehicles are expected to undergo a major global shift towards electric over the next 20 years and we need to be prepared for that future," he said.
"Australia now relies wholly on overseas manufacturers for our vehicle supply, and across the board those companies are shifting their focus to electric vehicle design and production."
READ MORE: Electric cars and their future in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie council's plant and fleet coordinator, Glenn Hattander, said the four new Hyundai Ioniqs would reduce council's vehicle CO2 emissions by 5000 kilograms a year.
The model has a range of more than 300 kilometres and requires 12 hours on a home charger to recharge.
Using a level two charging station, the battery requires only four hours to recharge to 80 per cent.
"This will be a gradual transition, but as EV technology advances, prices drop and choices expand, the switch to fully electric becomes increasingly viable," Mr Hattander said.
"In the interim, council is transitioning its passenger vehicle fleet to hybrid petrol/electric vehicles."
The council has also upgraded the EV charging station at its Speers Point administration building.
The station will soon be open to the public during business hours.
