The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $15million in funding to begin construction on the largest ultra-fast battery electric vehicle charging network on Australian highways.

The funding will be used to implement the first phase of the $50.2million project, which will install 350kW ultra-fast chargers at roadside service centres located along the National Land Transport Network to support the continued uptake of electric vehicles on Australian roads.

42 charging stations will be installed in total, with locations being determined by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development. Each station will have the power to provide 100 kilometres of charge in 15 minutes, with capacity for two vehicles to be charged simultaneously. The chargers will come with adaptors to support all models of EV.

ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, has commended the installation of EV charging stations around the country, saying it is necessary with the projected increase in EV sales in Australia in the next decade.

“Evie’s fast charging stations across the country will help to increase the supply and adoption of electric vehicles by building the charging infrastructure in key areas along major roads,” said Miller.

With range anxiety being a prominent cause for concern for electric vehicles in Australia, Miller believes this announcement will go a long way to diminishing this concern.

“Reducing range anxiety will encourage EV uptake by giving motorists confidence they can get where they want to go – even on long road trips.”

“EVs could play a huge role in the future, allowing renewables to power our cars. This could reduce fossil fuel consumption and reduce the cost of car ownership.”

Construction on the project will commence today with a site north of Brisbane being the first to have the ultra-fast charging station installed. It is predicted that 23 sites will be installed within the first year of the project.

For more information visit arena.gov.au.

Original source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency | Ultra-fast highway charging network for electric vehicles

26 Aug 2019