Queensland Electric Super Highway to almost double by 2025

Queensland has announced a $10 million allocation to add 44 more public electric vehicle charging stations to the statewide network by the end of 2024.

The fourth-phase project would almost double the footprint of the state-backed Queensland Electric Super Highway (QESH) network by reaching 32 new sites – focused on serving regional areas.

The state government claims the new stations would “increase reliability, reduce queuing, and ensure that EV drivers have confidence in road tripping through regional Queensland.” Construction will start in the next 18 months.

It would co-fund and work with the successful applicants in a 50-50 investment to deliver the infrastructure, which include:

Most intriguing is Tesla, given the popular EV-maker only owns and operates its proprietary Supercharging network.

The current QESH network adopts Brisbane-made 50kW or 75kW Tritium DC fast chargers offering CCS2 and CHAdeMO plugs, installed by Yurika, and is facilitated by Chargefox – costing a low $0.30 per kilowatt-hour.

Most charging locations today only have one station, but this roll out will deploy “multiple sites” at select towns as listed below.

The co-funding comes from the state government’s $55 million 10-year Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy.

Last month, it made a surprising move by doubling the EV incentive and lifting the price threshold to entice eligible Queenslanders to make the switch.

The expanded QESH roll out will complement the federal government’s major EV charging network project with the NRMA, which aims to fill blackspots in remote and regional Australia by installing a charger every 150 kilometres along key national highways.

Promised new QESH charging locations