Motoring group unveils its first 200 kW “super site” with eight charging bays

Motoring group RAA is to launch this weekend its first EV charging “super site”, with the eight-bay charging hub Port Pirie featuring 200 kW ultra rapid charges.

The new (covered) site is located 7kms off the Augusta Highway at the Port Pirie Regional Arts and Tourism Centre, and is the first of two planned “super sites” in the RAA Charge network. The other site is due to be announced in the state’s South-East later this month.

“To date, we’ve delivered 131 electric vehicle charging sites out of the planned 140 site network, spanning from Ceduna to Bordertown,” CEO Nick Reade said in a statement.

“The two RAA Charging Hubs will be significantly larger than most sites in the network, with up to nine bays instead of three or four and located along key destination routes providing fast charging facilities to travellers.

“Port Pirie is at the heart of so many travel routes in South Australia and will increasingly attract more and more EV drivers looking charge.”

The RAA charge network aims to have 530 charging bays across the 140 sites, and Reade says the network has already witness a 17% spike in interstate visitors using the network over the easter break.

Port Pirie Regional Council Mayor Leon Stephens said several EV drivers were already using the Kempower chargers.  

“Port Pirie will certainly reap the economic, environmental and tourism benefits from this wonderful facility which will be a drawcard for travellers to our region from the metropolitan area.

The RAA Charge network is being rolled out with the support of a $12.35 million grant provided by the Government of South Australia. 

Charging rates are set at 68c/kWh in the evening peak  between 5pm and 10pm, and 59c/kWh at all other times. Seven of the eight charging bays at Port Pirie are CCS plugs, with one Chademo. There are also two 7kW plugs provided by Jet Charge. And there is one accessible charging bay.