Build out of Australia’s longest EV charging network has reached the halfway mark with the opening of EV fast charging sites in Jerramungup and Hyden, bringing the WA EV Network’s total number of charging locations to 26.
The WA EV Network is being rolled out across Western Australia by government owned utilities Synergy and Horizon Power.
A total of 49 charging sites are expected to be operational across the whole network by mid-2024, and the network has already seen over 5,500 charging sessions completed since the first charger went live in Geraldton in April of 2023.
The 25th WA EV Network charger was brought online over the holidays in Jerramungup, located in the Great Southern agricultural region of Western Australia. The 26th charging site, located in nearby Hyden, was also brought online over the past few weeks.
The 150kW Jerramungup charger is located at the Kokoda Op Shop on Tobruk Road, close to the local caravan park, IGA, and BP Truckstop. 2.5 hours to the north in Hyden, the WA EV Network fast charger is located at the Hyden Train Station along the main road of Marshall Street.
Jerramungup and Hyden join a handful of other recent additions to the WA EV Network, including Warmun, Derby, Halls Creek, Norseman, and Hamelin Pool.
Once completed, the WA EV Network will cover 7,000 kilometres north to Kununurra, along WA’s south-west coast to Esperance, and east to Kalgoorlie and Eucla.
“The Cook Government is proud to be investing in one of the longest electric vehicle charging networks in the world,” said Reece Whitby, WA energy minister.
“The WA EV Network is providing the backbone of EV charging infrastructure which is critical for driving the continued update of EVs across WA.
“The WA EV Network is playing an important role in supporting sustainable transportation development and reducing carbon emissions as we transition to net zero by 2050.”
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.