Road testing the EV fast charging network in regional NSW

Back in July 2020 Transport for NSW and the NRMA announced co-investment in adding 25 new electric vehicle fast chargers across major NSW road routes. This week reporters from the ABC took 1,200 kilometre road trip in a Hyundai KONA electric vehicle to inspect the charging stations first-hand.

‘These additional charging stations are part of a $3 million co-funded investment to deliver greener and cleaner travel. This will help create the most comprehensive regional charging network in the country, opening regional NSW up to electric vehicle owners,’ said Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Minister, Paul Toole.

‘The extended network will help further support the regional tourism economy and promote local investment in regional centres along the Newell, Barrier, New England, and Kamilaroi highways. We want people to stop off and explore our regional towns and cities while they charge their EVs.’

‘In most cases, EV drivers will be no more than 150 kilometres from an EV charging station once the network is completed by 2022. This will allow people to travel to Broken Hill, Moree and Bourke, and to link up with major routes in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, continued Mr Toole.

The first two charging stations installed under this partnership are at Wagga Wagga and Yass.

In terms of both electric vehicles themselves, and charging stations, NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said, ‘We know that we have fallen behind the rest of the world, and we know that eventually we will have no choice but to catch up’.

Watch the video

The video of the ABC story is at the top of this page. Those same journalists have also written an article about their journey, with more detail. Read it at: Electric car put to the test in regional and rural NSW.

Location of Australian electric vehicle charging stations

With thanks to PlugShare, use this map to find out about electric vehicle charging near you, or on the route you’re looking to take. Type in an address, or simply use the map controls to zoom in, out, and around.