The National Convention Centre, Canberra,is the first conference centre in Australia to pioneer the installation of electric car charge spots.

In partnership with leading electric car charge network Better Place, the National Convention Centrehas installed two permanent charge spots in its car park for electric car drivers to use. Drivers can plug into the charge spot and top-up their battery whilst enjoying the conference centre’s various facilities and event spaces.

Four electric cars can charge at once using the spots at the National Convention Centre, which is managed by IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group).

National Convention Centre’s manager, Cindy Young and the newly installed electric car chargers.

“The National Convention Centre is committed to helping our visitors make a positive contribution to environmental sustainability,” National Convention Centre manager, Cindy Young said.

“Reducing carbon emissions is not just a globalissue; it’s a local issue too. Installing charge spots for electric car drivers supports our commitment to sustainability, and enables us to offer a leading-edge service for visitors that can also help to reduce pollution and emission levels in Canberra,” Young said.

Better Place spokesperson Ben Keneally, head of marketing and strategy, said that the National Convention Centre was positively supporting the switch from petrol to electric driving.

“Premier facilities like the National Convention Centre are making it easy and convenient for electric car drivers to park and plug in. We applaud their commitment to sustainability and for helping their visiting drivers make the switch from petrol to electric driving”,  Keneally said.

Better Place uses only renewable energy in its electric car charge network, and has installed nearly 100 charge spots across Australia to date.
The National Convention Centre is one of Better Place’s Canberra Network Foundation Members,and the partnership reflects IHG’s commitment to significantly reducing the consumption of natural resources across the company’s InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels.

IHG was one of only seven hotel companies to receive Green Building Fund (GBF) grants, and the recipient of the most funding within the hotel sector.