The Western Australia government has awarded Jet Charge with the contract to install 98 EV chargers at 49 locations around the state which, when completed, will serve to create the world’s longest continuously connected electric highway.
Part of the McGowan Government’s $43.5 million investment to boost EV infrastructure around Western Australia, the EV fast charging network will stretch from Kununurra in the north, to Esperance in the south, and east to Eucla, a distance of 6,600kms.
Each charging location will be fitted with a standard charger and a 150kW DC fast charger, the latter allowing EV drivers to top their car up in as little as 15 minutes.
As it stands, the first of these new charging stations will be installed in November, with the full network to be operational by 2024.
“WA’s EV fast charging network is an important step to boost our uptake of electric vehicles, enabling drivers to travel the vast distances around the State more easily,” said premier Mark McGowan.
“When completed, WA’s EV fast charging network will be the world’s longest of its kind – with construction well underway and expected to be completed by early 2024.”
Jet Charge CEO Tim Washington said the company was founded almost a decade ago to accelerate the transition to low emissions vehicles in Australia.
“(We) are so proud to be involved with a landmark EV charging network that features a lot of Australian made innovation and will absolutely smash those barriers allowing people to drive EVs all over the great State of Western Australia.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.