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We all know you can charge an EV, but did you know they can be a source of power too? That's the capability mycar Tyre & Auto is putting to the test in its latest initiative – The mycar Chargers.
Now, with nearly three in five (61%) Aussies having been impacted by a natural disaster**, the need to enhance our recovery response has never been more critical.
As such, mycar Tyre & Auto, Australia’s leading tyre and servicing provider, is setting out to address one big factor in that response – loss of power. The company is currently recruiting EV drivers to join The mycar Chargers; a team of EVs that will travel to areas experiencing power loss after a natural disaster to share their battery power with the local community.
But exactly how necessary is an initiative like this? According to mycar’s new research, about 74% of Aussies have experienced power outages due to adverse weather**, admitting it left them feeling stressed, disconnected and frustrated**.
Jaimie Bloch, Clinical Psychologist and Behavioural Expert, said “Natural disasters can put a great deal of pressure on Australians, and the loss of power often makes these stressful situations worse, intensifying the desire for a return to normality.
"It’s the small things that matter – like having enough phone charge to stay in touch with family and friends, being able to boil the kettle for a simple cuppa, or being able to watch a movie at night. That’s why services that can help bridge the gap between when the power goes out and when it’s restored – which can sometimes take weeks – are so important."
The mycar Chargers initiative aims to bridge the gap between the time of power loss and power being restored (which can sometimes be weeks). The aim not being to power whole homes, but rather, to help more Aussies by providing power for the small but important comforts.
The mycar Chargers initiative will encourage all owners of EVs with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities to sign up to the trial. Then, once an affected area is deemed safe to enter by authorities, those Chargers will be deployed to assist the community with their power-related needs. It’s a unique solution to a serious and often overlooked problem, and marks the first time in Australia that a program or community for this kind of donation will have been created.
Says Adele Coswello, Chief Customer Officer of mycar Tyre & Auto: “Everyone knows you can charge an EV, but the fact many can also be a source of power is still quite new information. Our research shows Aussie drivers would provide power from their EV if they knew they could help the community in times of need. We know that many drivers purchase EVs with the intent to reduce emissions and have a greener footprint. **
"That's why we're encouraging EV drivers to roll up their sleeves and take part in the trial to help support those while they’re getting back on their feet.”
The Australian-first trial will take place across NSW, VIC, QLD and ACT this summer (Nov 24 – Jan 25). EV drivers with V2L-enabled vehicles interested in taking part in the trial can register their interest at mycar.com.au/thechargers.
**Research cited throughout is by CSIRO and was conducted by Pureprofile in September 2024 on behalf of mycar Tyre & Auto with a nationally representative sample of 1000 Australians aged 18 years and older who held a driver’s licence.
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