Originally published: The Australian, 14 December 2024
An innovative trial will see EV drivers share their battery power with disaster-affected communities this summer.
We all know you can charge an EV, but did you know you can discharge them too? A new disaster-response initiative is drawing on this capability, turning everyday EV drivers into community heroes. Launching this summer, a trial by mycar Tyre & Auto will enable EV drivers to volunteer their vehicles as pop-up power sources in disaster-affected areas.
Whether it’s to help people charge their phones, or boil a kettle for a cuppa, the mycar Chargers initiative aims to bridge the gap until power is restored.
Emphasising the critical need to enhance our recovery response, the Pureprofile survey also highlighted the role electricity plays in making people feel empowered – both literally and figuratively. Of the 74 per cent of respondents who had experienced power outages due to adverse weather, close to a quarter said it made them feel stressed, disconnected and frustrated.
