EVolution's corporate responsibility
A message from EVolution owner Russ Shepherd
The business decisions we make are driven by a desire to promote sustainable and low-emission transport, to live with purpose and help drive local jobs and innovation.
I graduated from the University of Teesside and Durham University Business School only to find there weren't really many jobs. So, I understand what it's like to go through all that education, time and effort to find few are prepared to take you on.
Fortunately for me, a local company gave me a chance to gain industry experience and my career was able to then make a start. It was then that I learned to appreciate opportunities as they presented themselves.
That’s why when Outcome Life approached us we jumped at the chance to give undergraduates from Swinburne University an opportunity intern at EVolution. These students have contributed to the exciting ICE to EV conversions on the Jaunt project and I hope they will look back fondly on this opportunity throughout their future careers.
EVolution further contributes materials to the Chairo Christian College to assist them to compete in the Energy Breakthrough E racing project, competing in a 24 hour race in country Victoria. This helps the students create something very special which simply wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
Animal welfare is very close to our hearts too. And we’re proud to sponsor two of the most worthy animal causes in Victoria, Sweet Shepherd Rescue and Ingrid’s Haven. Both do it tough as they’re not able to register as a charity and are 100% dependent upon donations. Both have a no kill policy and do their very best to rescue, treat and rehome these beautiful animals.
From a product perspective, we've implemented EVCycle, an e-waste social enterprise program where EV charging cables are turned into meals for Aussie families doing it tough. This program is managed by our team in partnership with the amazing PonyUp For Good who donate 50% of profits to SecondBite.
We're also charging EVs using renewable power - both through the eco-aware Zappi charger and at our Melbourne HQ where our onsite solar PV system provides almost 100% of our workshop, office and free public AC and DC charging.
I'm very proud to work with a great team who are passionate about building a sustainable green tech business that aims to be kind to people and planet. By integrating these values into everyday activities, we're growing an Australian business that is interesting and fulfilling, but which pays off in more ways than just money.
For more information about this or any of our other projects, please give me a call or drop me line via our contact page.
Regards, Russ Shepherd.
While EVolution's core business is EV charging, conversions and servicing, my team and I are very aware of our corporate responsibility to the local, national and global community we inhabit.
It’s very easy for us to get caught up in and normalise the big expenditure on EVs, but for many people, places, businesses and organisations, sustainable transport is out of reach (at least for now) and probably the last thing on their mind. Many more are doing it tough right across Australia and NZ either starting out in their career, living from pay cheque to pay cheque or working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
For those who don’t know me, I grew up in the North East of England during the late 80s and early 90s. The area has always suffered from high unemployment due to a failed transition from blue to white collar industries but this issue was compounded by a global recession.