We are committed to reducing transport emissions by increasing use of active and public transport and transitioning to electric vehicles.
We are committed to reaching our target of zero-net emissions in Yarra by 2035, as outlined in our Climate Emergency Plan [ PDF, 9.5 MB] .
To achieve this, we need to reduce our transport emissions by increasing:
- our use of active and public transport
- the speed of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) including cars, bicycles (e-bikes) and public transport.
We support and encourage the uptake of EVs by:
- working with other Councils to share knowledge and opportunities
- working with private sector providers, power companies and the Victorian Government to install public electric car chargers
- transitioning our vehicle fleet to electric (currently we have 10 cars, 3 trucks, 25 e-bikes, 1 bus, 1 excavator and 1 street sweeper)
- ensuring new developments are “EV-ready” by requiring electrical infrastructure to be incorporated at time of building, to future-proof for EV chargers.
Charging your car
Plugshare provides a map of all public electric vehicle chargers in Yarra.
The following chargers have been facilitated by Council, and are powered by 100% renewable energy:
- 2 fast charging bays at the Collingwood Library
- 4 fast charging bays at Piedimonte’s supermarket off St Georges Rd in North Fitzroy
- 4 fast charging plugs at Richmond Library Charlotte St car park.
We provided the sites for the charging stations, which were installed, owned and managed by Evie Networks. These were funded through the Federal Government's Future Fuels Fund and the State Government’s Destination Charging Across Victoria (DCAV) programs.
Our Climate Emergency Plan [ PDF, 9.5 MB] Action Plan includes a range of actions for us to facilitate public electric vehicle charging in Yarra. We acknowledge that public chargers are a key initiative to support uptake of electric cars, including for residents without a practical way to charge in their own off-street parking.
We recognise that a range of charging options will be required including charging off-street in private parking where this is feasible, shopping strip medium- fast chargers, and more localised chargers in local streets to enable charging close to or from people’s homes.
Currently Local laws do not permit electrical cables on footpaths. These are a potential tripping hazard and an obstruction for people with limited mobility. Any cords placed in this manner are subject to enforcement action. Council Local Laws are under review in 2025-26 with the potential to consider options specific to the emerging need for electric vehicle charging.
We are monitoring the trial of kerbside charging in other areas to assess the feasibility of trials in Yarra.
Using novated leases to lower the cost of an electric vehicle
Catch up on our recent webinar for Yarra residents and businesses called Electrify your ride: can a novated lease lower the cost of an EV or eBike for you? supported by NALSPA.
- Read the Yarra City Council Submission to the Development of a Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap in Victoria [ PDF, 217.33 KB] .
- Read Yarra City Council's Electric Vehicle Factsheet [ PDF, 119.71 KB] .
- Read Australian Government Green Vehicle Guide for fact sheets, vehicle descriptions and a fuel costs and emissions calculator.
- Visit the Victorian Government's advice for Zero Emissions Vehicles.
- Find out more about our roadmap to zero and the many ways we are responding to the climate emergency on our Take Climate Action Page.