RIPLEY TOWN CENTRE DRIVES SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS
Sekisui House Australia is continuing to invest in essential infrastructure for the Ripley community with the installation of two, free-to-use electric vehicle charging stations at Ripley Town Centre — a first for the expanding region.
Having delivered infrastructure than enables low-emission mobility, Sekisui House Australia is aiming to reduce Ripley Town Centre’s carbon footprint while preparing it for significant future growth.
The 22-kilowatt charging stations are largely powered by a solar panel system positioned on the roof of Ripley Town Centre and its carpark, which generates approximately 75 per cent of the electricity for the existing shopping environment.
Positioned near Ripley Vet and Little Piggy Cafe, the charging stations provide electric vehicle users a convenient location to top-up and go.
Sekisui House Australia Project Director Taku Hashimoto said the new charging stations meet the growing needs of the local Ripley community, both now and into the future.
“We’ve seen a steady increase in electric vehicles in the area, and our intent and responsibility is to ensure we continue to provide the right infrastructure as the needs of the community change,” Mr Hashimoto said.
“This is also in line with our ongoing commitment to sustainability — introducing initiatives and infrastructure throughout Ripley Town Centre to lessen the community’s impact on the environment.”
The charging stations are equipped with universal ports that are compatible with all electric vehicles, with 120 kilometers of range per hour of charge.
Installed in partnership with WINconnect, the charging stations also respond to the rise of electric vehicle use across the country, with electric vehicle sales in Australia increasing by 200 per cent in 2019 alone [1].
WINconnect CEO Phil Baxter said environmentally conscious Ripley Town Centre was the perfect location for electric vehicle charging stations.
“Electric vehicle charging is all about simplicity and usability, and we know Ripley’s eco-conscious residents will make good use of the two electric vehicle charging stations, which will also cater for the ever-growing electric vehicle market in the region,” Mr Baxter said.
Sekisui House Australia and WINconnect have also partnered for the long term to deliver what is believed to be Queensland’s largest private community energy network at Ripley Town Centre, providing ongoing benefits to the community, including lower tariff costs.
“Now with the addition of electric vehicle charging stations, Ripley Town Centre is taking yet another step forward in delivering clean and sustainable energy to the community,” Mr Baxter said.
