Easy electric vehicle access with 536 charging power points

The RAA will install 536 electric vehicle charging points at 140 new locations throughout South Australia to create the state’s first EV charging network.

The RAA will install 536 EV charging points at 140 new locations to create the state’s first EV charging network.

RAA Managing Director Ian Stone said the $12.4m State Government grant was a historical moment in the transition to electric vehicles.

“More than three-quarters of the new charge points will be located in regional SA,’’ he said.

The network brings travellers within one charge range of 52 rural, regional and metropolitan service locations from the far west to the far east of the state.

“The maximum distance between charging points will be around 250km – well within the range of a typical EV car battery,” Mr Stone said.

With work starting mid-year only the most remote areas to the north east and north west of the state will but covered, but there will be stations as far north as; Marla, Coober Pedy, Glendambo, Roxby Downs and Leigh Creek.

Premier Steven Marshall said the statewide charging network was a key component in SA’s electric vehicle transformation, giving motorists the confidence to travel further by eliminating range anxiety.

“This plan will make electric vehicles the first choice for someone buying a new car by 2030 with the environmental and economic benefits that brings to SA,” he said.

“EVs will be able to travel from Bordertown to Border Village and everywhere in between with the benefits of this rapid-charging network.

Construction starts early this year and over the next two years Chargefox stations will be dotted on highways, in regional cities, major tourist destinations and Adelaide suburbs.

Mr Stone said with 80 per cent of motorists considering a future EV purchase “RAA believes EVs are the future of motoring”.

“We know that drivers’ enthusiasm for EVs is curbed by the availability of charging points, so this new network will go a long way to allaying that range anxiety,” he said.

Purchase costs are also being addressed by the state government, Deputy Premier Dan van Holst Pellekaan said.

RAA Managing Director Ian Stone and RAA EV Network project co-ordinator Anita Saunders, with an RAA EV Ultra Rapid Charger. Picture: RAA

“The government is offering 7000 motorists a $3000 subsidy and 3-year registration holiday when they buy a new EV,’’ he said.

“Another $2000 is available to 7500 households, with new or existing plug-in EVs, that invest in smart charging solutions in their homes.”

“Our state’s abundant wind and solar resources will be harnessed to power a reliable network of charging stations that will accelerate EV uptake and help achieve our target of net-100 per cent renewables by 2030.

Companies and government are also getting behind a state-organised pledge campaign to buy EV fleets, including SA Power Networks, Telstra, Flinders University and the Adelaide, Port Adelaide Enfield, Marion, and Holdfast Bay councils.

The charging points will be powered by wind and solar generation.

SA Power Networks CEO Rob Stobbe said the company was already realising the benefits of electrification, with five fully electric vehicles recently added to the fleet.

“As fleet operators we are always looking for ways to reduce our fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

“The Fleet Pledge provides a clear mandate from executive leadership to fleet managers, empowering them to achieve both of these business objectives.”

Originally published as Easy electric vehicle access with 536 charging power points