WHAT would you do if the power went out tonight?
For Bicton resident Kerry, the answer surprised her.
“We’d only had our electric vehicle for about six weeks when the power went off,” she recalls.
“After the usual scramble for candles and torches, we suddenly remembered the salesperson had shown us a cable that could power appliances from the car.”
What happened next changed the way she thought about electric vehicles.
“We plugged it in and ran the television, a lamp and charged my phone, which was nearly flat because I’d been using it as a torch.
“Afterwards I realised we could easily have run our small heater, and if the outage had continued, I would even have connected the fridge and freezer.”
The biggest surprise?
“It only used one per cent of the car battery.
“It was 91 per cent charged when the power went out and when the electricity came back on it was still at 90 per cent.
“Next power outage, we’re not worried at all. It gives us real confidence.”
Stories like Kerry’s are just one of the many reasons to visit the Electrify Melville City EXPO 2026, where local volunteers will share their real-life experiences of switching to electric vehicles, solar panels, home batteries, heat pump hot water systems, induction cooking and reverse cycle air conditioning.
Unlike a sales event, the Expo is about conversations.
You’ll be able to chat with local volunteer residents who have already made the switch, ask questions, compare experiences and learn what worked for them.
There will also be tradies and installers to talk to.
Interest in electric vehicles is growing rapidly across Western Australia.
The Department of Transport EV licensing data for the second quarter to June 2026, showed that there was a 20 per cent increase on the first quarter to March 2026, proof that more Western Australians are recognising the benefits of cleaner, lower-cost transport that is not reliant on foreign imported fuel.
Petrol prices
Rising petrol prices are also prompting many families to look at alternatives.
Australia imports most of its refined fuel, leaving motorists exposed to international events and fluctuating oil prices.
Electrifying your transport and home can reduce that exposure while lowering every day running costs.
This is another benefit that often goes unnoticed.
Every week, thousands of dollars leave local communities through petrol purchases and go overseas.
By replacing petrol with electricity—especially electricity generated from rooftop solar—more household spending stays within the local economy instead of flowing overseas.
As the organisers like to say: “Stop buying fuel and spend that money in the community.”
Electrification not only helps households reduce ongoing costs, it keeps more money circulating locally, supporting Australian jobs and investment.
The figures are staggering!
A conservative estimate of $100 million is spent on fuel within the City of Melville alone every year. If half of that is saved and then spent locally, that would be amazing economic support going to our community (City of Melville has 40,000 households with average of 1.8 cars and $50/week spent on fuel).
Whether you’re simply curious, thinking about buying your first EV, considering home batteries, wondering if induction cooking is right for you, or wanting to understand government incentives, the Expo is designed for people at every stage of the journey.
There is no pressure to buy anything—just plenty of practical information from local people who have already made the transition.
You’ll be able to inspect a range of electric vehicles, hear from knowledgeable speakers, explore home electrification options and discover how technologies like vehicle-to-load can provide backup power during blackouts, just as Kerry experienced.
The Electrify Melville City EXPO is proudly organised by volunteers from the Melville City Climate Action Network.
Electrify Melville City EXPO
Saturday September 5
1 – 5.00 pm
Shirley Strickland Pavilion, Ardross
More at melvillecitycan.org
by the Melville City Climate Action Network Inc. Committee