Wagga mayor proves doubters wrong and takes his EV to Sydney and back

The Driven

Wagga Wagga mayor Greg Conkey has taken up the challenge of  local councillors and negative media and completed his trip to Sydney and back in an electric vehicle. He says he is delighted with the experience.

A furore erupted in late September after a Hyundai Ioniq purchased by the council under the Cities Power Partnership became the subject of an attack by councillors questioning its purchase even though they all agreed to buy it in 2018.

A motion was issued by the skeptical councillors requesting that Conkey drive the electric vehicle to Sydney to prove it was “fit for purpose”. And so he did.

Despite the fact the vehicle was never intended for long distance trips, Conkey agreed to the request and set out last Monday to Sydney on council business in the Ioniq before returning – in one piece – on Wednesday.

Speaking briefly with The Driven prior to the submission on his report to council, Conkey said that, “it was a pleasure, it’s a very impressive car.”

“It was never meant to be driven out of the city but a request was made and I took up that challenge.”

To read the full story on RenewEconomy’s electric vehicle dedicated site, The Driven, click here…