Lifestyle Communities offer free use of electric car to homeowners

But for homeowners at three over-50s resorts by Lifestyle Communities in Victoria, going green has become easier thanks to the complementary on-site electric cars.

If you visit the newest communities at Lifestyle Ocean Grove on the Bellarine Peninsula, Lifestyle Berwick Waters in Melbourne's south-east or award-winning Lifestyle Bittern on the Mornington Peninsula, you may see residents taking a spin in one of their new modern electric cars.

"Lifestyle Communities is excited to be leading the way towards a more environmentally sustainable world with our own foray into the electric car revolution," the company said in its blog.

Each community now owns a brand-new Hyundai IONIQ Electric car, available for all homeowners to use free of charge, in addition to the community buses that are a feature of all Lifestyle Communities.

"The benefits of these electric cars are numerous, including the promotion of better air quality through zero harmful exhaust emissions, and the cost benefits of not being subjected to fluctuating and rising petrol prices," the company said.

"We simply love the environmental benefits of the IONIQ, along with opportunities to give our homeowners an innovative, cost- and energy-efficient car pool to their next outing."

Each of the communities has a dedicated car park for the new electric car and electric fast-charging station that can power up the car to 80 per cent charge within 25 minutes - that's faster than your mobile phone charger.

"The move to electric cars is part of a broader Lifestyle Communities transition to building more environmentally sustainable communities and aligned with an ethos of innovation and forward thinking that we bring to our home and community design," the company said.

The move is part of a trial that will will see more electric cars rolled out across more of the company's communities in the future.

In other green initiatives, all the company's new communities under developmen - including Lifestyle Wollert north-west of Melbourne - will be run on electricity over gas and powered by renewable energy.

Homes are well insulated and a new "smart home" option also conserves energy by efficiently adjusting to variations in temperature and sunlight, switching appliances to standby mode when not in use.

"While your energy usage is reduced, you'll further save by enjoying discounted electricity rates brokered through community-wide negotiated plans," a spokesperson said.

"Lifestyle Communities offers financial freedom and flexibility to working, semi-retired, and retired people aged over 50, set among 5-star resort facilities and beautiful outdoor spaces.

"Free up the equity in your old home, avoid stamp duty and council rates, and keep rising living costs at bay through a variety of features and efficiencies."

And when you buy off the plan at one of the new developments around Victoria, you'll be able to personalise your contemporary-styled, low-maintenance home, complete with all the mod-cons you desire.

Lifestyle Bittern recently received two Urban Development Institute of Australia 2019 awards - for Excellence for Affordable Development and for Special Purpose Living.

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