Leading energy infrastructure company, Jemena, has unveiled an Australian-first electric powered cherry picker truck as part of its effort to reduce carbon emissions across the Jemena Electricity Network in Melbourne’s North-West.
The electric cherry picker, formally known as an Elevated Work Platform truck, will reduce Jemena’s carbon output by 30 tonnes per year. This is in addition to other energy efficient initiatives already rolled out within the network including the installation of 500 LED ‘smart street lights’ that use up to 75 per cent less energy than traditional lighting.
Jemena’s Executive General Manager for Electricity Distribution Shaun Reardon said the electric cherry picker truck was made possible thanks to a partnership with Australian automotive technology company SEA Electric.
“SEA Electric are a Melbourne-based manufacturer of electric vehicles and leader in converting commercial vehicles from diesel to electric” said Mr Reardon. “The cherry picker was converted into an electric vehicle as part of a major reconstruction over a 12-month period.”
SEA Electric Sales Director for Australia and New Zealand Joe Di Santo said his team is excited to see the industry-first vehicle join Jemena’s Victorian fleet.
“It’s been a special and historical project for the management and engineering staff at SEA Electric to partner with Jemena in the development of this Australian-first 100 per cent electric Elevated Work Platform service truck,” said Mr Di Santo.
“The SEA Hino FG all-electric vehicle is anticipated to reduce Jemena’s carbon output by 30 tonnes per annum.”
“Not only is this electric powered cherry picker the first step in greening our fleet, it will also benefit our customers with a quieter operation and zero exhaust emissions,” said Mr Reardon. “We will look for new ways to further reduce the carbon emissions across our electricity network in the future.”
About Jemena
Jemena is an $11.5 billion company that owns and manages some of Australia’s most significant gas and electricity assets. These include:
- Jemena’s Victorian electricity network which delivers electricity to over 360,000 homes and businesses in north-west Melbourne.
- the Jemena Gas Network servicing 1.4 million customers around NSW
- the Eastern Gas Pipeline which delivers gas from Victoria’s Gippsland basin to the ACT, Sydney and regional NSW
- the Darling Downs Pipeline Network in south-east Queensland supplying Darling Downs Power Station and APLNG’s export pipeline.
- the Queensland Gas Pipeline which supplies Gladstone and Rockhampton
- the Northern Gas Pipeline from Tennant Creek in Northern Territory to Mount Isa in Queensland.
Jemena also part-owns the EvoEnergy electricity and gas distribution networks in the ACT and United Energy, which supplies electricity to more than 600,000 customers across south-eastern Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.
