NRMA ready to open stand-alone EV fast charging site at Nullarbor Roadhouse

Two new electric vehicle (EV) charging sites have been opened in regional areas of South Australia, the first of 19 sites linking regional areas across the state as part of a national network.

The network is being backed by the Australian federal government’s $78.6 million Driving the Nation Fund, and is in partnership with motoring organisation NRMA.

The latest chargers are already operational in Berri, in the Riverland region, and Nuriootpa, in the Barossa Valley, while another off-grid charging site  will soon be opened at the Nullarbor Roadhouse.

These three charging sites are the first of 19 to be built across the state under this particular scheme, helping to support EV drivers across the state and those looking to make the long trip across the Nullarbor.

The NRMA website says the Berri and Nuriootpa fast chargers will be operating at a capacity of 50kW until a battery is installed that will allow quicker charging rates. It doesn’t say when this will happen.

The Nullarbor site combines solar, battery and a back-up system. It is one of a number of standalone systems that will be built across the Nullarbor plain that links South Australia and Western Australia, supplementing the slow AC-charging systems that have existed to date.

“As EV uptake increases across Australia, the National EV charging network will enable drivers to navigate and find a charge with ease,” said Carly Irving-Dolan, CEO of NRMA Energy.

“The rollout of the new fast chargers in Berri and Nuriootpa addresses blackspots and creates vital connections to regional communities and wouldn’t be possible without out collaboration with the South Australia Power Network.

“Nullarbor is our second standalone power system, and we’re proud to be delivering this world-first technology to better connect Australians.” (The first standalone fast charging station was built at Erldunda, pictured above).

Additional fast charging stations will be rolled out in Border Village, Burra, Ceduna, Coober Pedy, Coorabie, Glendambo, Kimba, Marla, Mount Gambier, Pimba, Port Augusta, Port Gibbon, Port Pirie, Port Wakefield, Wudinna, and Yunta/Manna Hill.

The Driving the Nation Fund, which is being completed in partnership with NRMA, aims to deliver a fast charger every 150 kilometres (on average) on national highways.

“Long-distance travel is an everyday reality for our Aussie motorists, but EV charging blackspots are common in many regional areas,” said Chris Bowen, Australia’s minister for climate change and energy.

“We’re rolling out these fast-chargers to address both the blackspots and range anxiety, giving motorists the confidence to choose cleaner and cheaper-to-run cars for their journeys, no matter where they live.

“With SA sharing borders with all the other mainland states and the Northern Territory, the prospect of long-haul regional or interstate travel by EVs is becoming an exciting reality.”

The announcement Wednesday of new fast charging locations for South Australia comes a week after the federal government and NRMA rolled out three fast charging stations in the Northern Territory.

The first of the new EV chargers was unveiled in the town of Katherine, 320 kilometres southeast of Darwin, and was followed by two more charging locations in Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

These three fast chargers are the first of 16 NRMA is installing across the Northern Territory to fill in black-spots across the Top End.

“As EV uptake increases across Australia, drivers expect to be able to navigate our national highway network and find a charge with ease,” said Carly Irving-Dolan.

“The rollout of the new fast chargers in Katherine, Tenant Creek and Alice Springs sees vital connections established and blackspots addressed.”