Electric vehicle (EV) owners will soon be able to drive between a number of Australia’s major cities, as Australia’s first ‘ultra-charging’ network powered by renewable energy is built.
On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $6 million in funding to Chargefox Pty Ltd to roll out Australia’s first ultra-rapid charging network for EVs.
The $15 million national rollout will include 21 charging sites on interstate highways across the east coast connecting major capital cities including Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and separately north and south of Perth. The first two charging sites will be located in Euroa in Victoria and in Barnawartha North just outside of Albury-Wodonga on the Victorian-NSW border. These two sites are also receiving $1 million in funding from the Victorian Government.
According to ARENA, all charging stations will be powered through the purchase of renewable energy, with the Euroa site set to include a solar and battery installation and the Barnawartha North site to feature a new solar installation. The ultra-rapid charging technology allows an EV to add 200 to 400 kilometres of range in just 15 minutes, 15 times faster than typical domestic charging points which take hours. The charging sites are expected to be no more than 200 kilometres apart – well within the range of modern EVs – and will be public, open-access to all EV models currently sold in Australia. Motorists will be able to use the stations via an app.
This follows a report released in June by ARENA and CEFC which predicted the uptake of EVs would significantly increase in the next decade. The report said EVs would reach price parity with petrol cars by the early to mid-2020s, and that a lack of fast charging infrastructure was identified as a barrier to the uptake of EVs.
On Monday 22 October, ARENA CEO Darren Miller said this was a game-changing Australian-first that would encourage the uptake of EVs by reducing range anxiety.
“EVs are set to have a huge impact on our energy system. Electrification of Australia’s transport sector could reduce emissions and dramatically change how we use electricity,” Mr Miller said.
“EV charging networks are being rolled out in other countries, and Australia needs to catch up to ensure that we can experience the same benefits of improved driving experience, lower operating costs, and better environmental outcomes that electric vehicles offer.”
“This will not only encourage more people to purchase EVs but will also ensure that all charging is coming from renewable energy and provide a useful test case for charging EVs from remotely located, distributed renewable generation,” he shared.
Chargefox CEO Marty Andrews said the network will be accessible to all, and will help transition road transport to renewable energy.
“Our network of ultra-rapid charging stations will play a significant part in improving the infrastructure of this country and remove one of the major barriers that limit the adoption of EVs,” Mr Andrews said, “the charging stations will enable all modern EV drivers to confidently drive between Australia’s major cities.”