The federal government has announced a partnership with motoring group NRMA to build 117 new fast-charging stations to connect more rural and regional parts of Australia.
The federal government will commit $39.3 million dollars to the project, which follows the release last week of the National EV Strategy last week and other funding initiatives to support the rollout of EVs and innovative charging solutions.
The minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said the government was working on improving access for more Australians to fast charging stations:
“EVs aren’t just for the cities, and Australians who drive long distances either for work or for holidays should be able to reap the benefits of cars that are cheaper and cleaner to run,” he said.
“We’re making range anxiety a thing of the past. This project will help close the gaps and known black spots in the network and make it possible to drive from Darwin to Perth, Broken Hill to Adelaide, and from Brisbane to Tennant Creek in the NT.”
Sites as part of this funding will help meet the government’s target of having fast charging stations on average 150 km on the national highways across every state and territory. The new charges will be rated at up to 400kW.
A national charging map covering these sites was also revealed today (see top image) with markers pointing to the approximate locations of these new charging sites.
The momentum on EVs seems to be building with states like Queensland recently announcing greater incentives for drivers to make the switch to an EV.
The federal government seems to also be coming to the party with a better-connected charging infrastructure plan to complement this, along with state and territory charging initiatives currently being deployed.
List of Sites
Northern Territory
- Adelaide River
- Alice Springs
- Baines
- Birdum
- Davenport
- Delamere
- Elliot
- Ghan
- Katherine
- Mataranka
- Ranken
- Tablelands
- Ti Tree
- Warumungu
- Yulara
Queensland
- Augathella
- Barcaldine
- Bowen
- Calliope
- Camooweal
- Christmas Creek
- Cloncurry
- Dalby
- Dingo
- Emerald
- Eumundi
- Gin Gin
- Goondiwindi
- Gregory
- Hughenden
- Innisfail
- Julia Creek
- Kynuna
- Longreach
- Maryborough
- Maxwelton
- Miles
- Morven
- Mount Isa
- Mount Pleasant
- Roma
- St Lawrence
- Stanthorpe/Warwick
- Tambo
- Townsville
- West Rockhampton
- Winton
New South Wales
- Armidale
- Balranald
- Coonabarabran
- Dubbo
- Glen Innes
- Hay
- Holbrook
- Jerilderie
- Lithgow
- Maclean
- Mittagong
- Moree
- Mudgee
- Nabiac
- Narrabri
- Narrandera
- Nowra
- Parkes
- Richmond Hill
- Scone
- Tamworth
- Tenterfield
- Waggagga
- Wallsend
- West Wyalong
- Yass
Australian Capital Territory
- Griffith
Victoria
- Colac
- Marong
- Mildura
- Port Fairy
- Sale
- Sea Lake
- Shepparton
South Australia
- Berri
- Border Village
- Burra
- Ceduna
- Coober Pedy
- Coorabie
- Glendambo
- Kimba
- Marla
- Mount Gambier
- Nullarbor
- Nuriootpa
- Pimba
- Port Augusta
- Port Gibbon
- Port Pirie
- Portkefield
- Wudinna
- Yunta / Manna Hill
Western Australia
- Balladonia
- Broome
- Caiguna
- Cataby
- Coolgardie
- Eighty Mile Beach
- Eneabba
- Fitzroy Crossing
- Geraldton
- Halls Creek
- Kununurra
- La Grange
- Lake Argyle
- Lake Mcleod
- Madura
- Manjimup
- Merredin
- Nerren Nerren
- Norseman
- Northam
- Pardoo
- Peedamulla
- Port Hedland
- Roebourne
- Southern Cross
- Warmun
- Willare
- Wooramel
- Yannarie
Note: This story has been updated to correct the charging rate.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.