Construction starts on South Australia’s EV charging network

State motoring club RAA has started constructing its electric vehicle charging network in South Australia with more than 140 locations planned to open by early 2024.

At least 75 per cent of the public EV charging network has been earmarked to be in regional SA and stretches from border-to-border, with each site less than 200 kilometres apart to fit well within the full driving range of most models.

It will include more than 80 slow 7kW AC chargers with a Type 2 plug, plus more than 50 fast 150kW DC stations offering CCS2 only and 200kW DC stations with both CCS2 and CHAdeMO plugs.

3

They’ll be installed and operated by Chargefox – which was acquired by Australian Motoring Services that includes the RAA earlier in 2022 – with pricing yet-to-be announced.

The first batch of AC points are being installed at metro and Greater Adelaide sites, including; Marion, Woodside, West Lakes, Hahndorf, Mount Gambier and the Adelaide CBD. They’re expected to come online by the end of January.

“RAA research shows 62 per cent of members are looking at an EV as their next vehicle, but commitment to purchase is curbed by a lack of available charging infrastructure,” RAA CEO Nick Reade said.

3

“This network will go a long way to allay these [driving] range anxiety fears and take the stress out of journey planning for EV drivers travelling and holidaying across South Australia.”

The RAA EV charging network is supported by a $12 million grant from the state government.

Currently, the state is served mostly by slow AC chargers with few fast DC stations only in Adelaide and its surrounds.

Only 26 Jolt, 19 Chargefox, five Tesla Superchargers, and four Evie Networks sites cover the almost one-million square kilometre state.

Comparisons

Best Electric Cars Under $65k: Affordable EVs Rated

Welcome to part one of three price-based EV buying guides, this one focused on the most affordable electric cars available in Australia today

9 Dec 20226