Western Australia is extending its electric highway with 45 locations to make up an electric vehicle fast-charging network.
The network includes up to 90 fast-charging stations and back-up chargers at locations connecting Perth and regional Western Australia, stretching north to Kununurra, south to Esperance and east to Kalgoorlie.
Minister for Energy, Bill Johnston said electric vehicle owners would easily be able to travel the State along these routes, with the average distance between charging stations around 160 kilometres.
“Most electric cars can run for at least 400 kilometres on one charge and it is expected the technology will continue to improve over the next few years,” Mr Johnston said.
“The network will allow electric vehicles to be charged in as little as 15 minutes and locations have been chosen to encourage tourists to spend this time exploring a local regional town.”
He said a tender for the charging stations’ design was expected to go out to market by the end of 2021, with the network expected to be fully operational by early 2024.
“The locations of the stations have been determined by energy providers Synergy and Horizon Power in consultation with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation,” Mr Johnston said.
Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Amber-Jade Sanderson said the fast-charging network would give electric vehicle owners confidence they could travel far and wide by eliminating any concerns around range.
“This infrastructure is a key to boosting electric vehicle uptake in the State and helps continue the transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Ms Sanderson said.
The Government’s 28-page Electric Vehicle Action Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
