The first of 117 fast-charging sites under the Driving the Nation Fund initiative has been opened in Mudgee, NSW, by the motoring group NRMA.
It is the 100th charger in NRMA’s network of regional chargers and so far its most powerful: The site in Mudgee has 360 kW of charging capacity across four charging bays.
These four bays are powered by two high-powered DC chargers delivered by ABB, the first time this brand has been used by the motoring group.
According to NRMA, the faster charging capacity allows EV drivers to access up to 200 km of range in 10 minutes. The site is part of a partnership with the Federal Government to deliver charging infrastructure across the country’s national highway network.
Funding for this initiative was announced after the release of the national EV strategy earlier this year and had $78.6 million to get this initiative up and running.
“As EV uptake increases, drivers expect to be able to navigate our national highway network and find a charge with ease,” NRMA Energy CEO Carly Irving-Dolan said in a statement.
“The rollout of this program sees vital connections established and blackspots addressed across the routes most travelled by Australians.”
She said destinations like Mudgee are important connector towns to Central West NSW and beyond. “These chargers have a vital role to play in enabling journeys and encouraging tourism to regional and remote communities. We are changing the way people work, live and play,”.
The site is located in close proximity to a supermarket, hotels, cafes and other amenities which makes it a good place to stop for EV drivers, particularly those with families needing a top-up along their journey.
EV drivers were generally pleased with the announcement of the new site as it indicates that the national rollout has begun, but are still frustrated by the lack of an app on these chargers. They say the fact they are free to use means queues at NRMA charging stations.
NRMA’s media team confirmed the company is still working on app integration and payment options which they hope to We launch later in the year.
The lack of app and payment system has been frustrating many EV drivers hitting the road and arriving at a NRMA site only to find full bays with those looking for a free charge.
With no official NRMA or third-party app for these chargers, it has been difficult for many drivers to see if the charger is being used as they drive towards it.
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.