Hundreds of EV jobs for Latrobe Valley

EV jobs, SEA
Image: SEA Electric

Around 500 EV jobs are set to be created in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley with SEA Electric announcing it will open an electric vehicle production facility in Morwell.

The Victorian Government has announced a deal with SEA Electric to bring the manufacture of electric vehicles to the region, with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews saying the partnership is all about making sure the Latrobe Valley is the national capital for eclectic vehicles.

“We said we would stand with the Latrobe Valley, we’d back the Latrobe Valley, that’s exactly what we’ve done,” he said.

According to The ABC, the company aims to assemble up to 5000 vehicles per year at the site, with the first car ready to roll off the production line in about a year.

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SEA Electric executive chairman Tony Fairweather said the exact site was yet to be determined, but local workers would start being trained at SEA Electric’s Dandenong site as soon as possible.

The deal is said to be going ahead regardless of who wins the state election on November 24.

The announcement comes after the launch of Chargefox and ABB’s liquid-cooled EV charging station in Euroa last week.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) also recently announced it would provide $6 million in funding for an ultra-fast EV charging network by Chargefox that will connect major driving routes from Brisbane to Adelaide.

The Electric Vehicle Council of Australia (EVC) has welcomed the announcement by the Victorian Government, with CEO Behyad Jafari saying the announcement demonstrates the potential for job creation and economic investment in the sector when governments take action.

“As the world moves inexorably towards electric vehicles, the only question left for Australia is whether we want to be makers or takers in the future of the mobility sector,” he said.

“SEA Electric, like so many members of our industry, are globally recognised leaders in their sector.

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“It’s time for all Australian governments to step up and support Australia’s potential in the electric vehicle industry.”

“The electric vehicle industry is eager to invest in Australia’s future, but like many new industries, it can’t flourish without the partnership of government.”

“It’s my hope that today’s announcement is another step towards Australia developing a national policy that recognises the benefits and supports the development of our electric vehicle sector.”

Jobs have been a priority for the Latrobe Valley after the closure of Hazelwood Power Station.

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