Trip to Japan brings electric cars ‘closer’

Kim Waters
GEELONG is a step closer to securing an exclusive trial of electric cars, according to a councillor.
Councillor John Doull told the Independent this week that his “talks” with electric vehicle provider Better Place in Japan last month were “positive”.
Cr Doull travelled to Japan with $4300 in council funding for a biodiversity conference and to discuss a proposed trial with executives of Better Place.
Cr Doull said he had distributed a report on the trip to councillors. He expected to brief them on the conference and discussions with Better Place at a meeting next week.
“The conference went really well, it was very positive,” Cr Doull said.
“We met our commitments with regards to speaking with Better Place executives in Tokyo and it was fantastic to see their facility.
“The talks were very positive.”
Cr Doull came under fire earlier this year for using passages from other reports in his own report on his trip to Denmark’s Copenhagen for a climate change summit.
Council paid almost $10,000 for the Copenhagen trip.
Cr Doull said he had requested a template for writing reports on trips to ensure “no controversy this time”.
The Independent revealed in August that council was “investigating” potential for a memorandum of understanding with the international electric car producer.
Mayor John Mitchell said council had to “act quickly” to secure the trial.
“There are other councils out there who are interested in this,” he said.
Cr Andy Richards also backed the trip, saying Better Place had “made it clear” Geelong was in its “top two cities” for a trial.
“I think that this idea is worth perusing because it will take carbon-based vehicles off the road,” he said.