Miles to receive charging site for electric cars as part of Queensland’s Electric Super Highway

The state government will almost double the length of its electric super highway with a $2.75 million commitment to deliver 18 new charging sites across the state, including in the Western Downs.

THE FUTURE: The state government will almost double the length of Queensland’s Electric Super Highway (QESH) by adding charging stations in regional areas such as the Western Downs. Picture: Jens Schleuter/AFP

Travellers and electric car drivers in Miles will have their own charge station as part of the state government’s push to double the length of Queensland’s Electric Super Highway (QESH).

A $2.75 million commitment to deliver 18 new charging sites across the state will allow motorists to explore outback Queensland entirely emissions free, driving tourism and economic recovery in the north-west.

Some of the sites included would be Miles in the Western Downs, Roma, Charleville, Kingaroy, Goondiwindi, and more.

Transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey said on Thursday the sites would play a critical role in supporting the state government’s new Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Strategy.

“By developing the new Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy, we are building on the achievements of our existing electric vehicle strategy: The Future is Electric,” Mr Bailey said.

“Not only were we the first state in Australia to develop an EV strategy, but we revolutionised electric vehicle travel through delivering the Queensland Electric Super Highway.”

An employee connects an electric car cable to a loading station of German carmaker Volkswagen, at the 'Glassy Manufactory' (Glaeserne Manufaktur) production site in Dresden, eastern Germany on June 8, 2021. (Photo by JENS SCHLUETER / AFP)

Mr Bailey said the phase-three rollout would nearly double the length of the existing QESH network.

“Growing Queensland’s Electric Super Highway by delivering another 18 charging sites means we are ready for the EV future,” he said.

“We'll see the length double from just under 2000 kilometres to almost 3800 kilometres and once complete, will feature 49 fast charging locations connecting EV drivers across Queensland.

“Since 2017, electric vehicles sales in Queensland have increased more than 1037 per cent, from 417 to 4743, and use of the QESH is at an all-time high.

“Electric vehicle drivers will be able to take trips from Brisbane to Mount Isa, Goondiwindi to Emerald, and Longreach to Cairns knowing there are charging stations along the way.”

The new QESH charging stations will be located at Miles, Charters Towers, Hughenden, Julia Creek, Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Emerald, Dingo, Charleville, Roma, Kingaroy, and Esk.