WA announces 45 new charging stations as part of EV plan

Western Australia has revealed the locations of its 45 new EV fast charging stations as part of plans to make its network the longest electric highway in the country.

The plans announced this week include up to 90 fast chargers, as well as back-ups, at 45 locations stretching from Kununurra in the state’s north, Esperance in the south and Kalgoorlie in the east.

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The rough distance between the chargers being around 160 kilometres – with the average driving range of an EV currently around the 400-500km mark, the distance between the new stations should be enough for drivers to travel between Perth and regional WA without range anxiety.

Posting on Twitter, the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia welcomed the latest news: "Great to see WA join the list of states supercharging their highways! With more chargers, come more #EVs."

According to the WA Government, the network, which forms part of a wider $21million fund for EV infrastructure development, will allow electric vehicles to be charged in as little as 15 minutes – with locations particularly chosen to encourage tourists to stop and explore regional towns.

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The sites were chosen by energy firms Synergy and Horizon Power as well as the state’s Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

"Western Australia is a vast State and our huge fast-charging network will give electric vehicle owners confidence they can travel far and wide by eliminating any concerns around range anxiety,” said WA’s Environment and Climate Action Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson.

"This infrastructure is a key to boosting electric vehicle uptake in the state and helps continue the transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

"The charging time will provide EV owners the perfect opportunity to stop in at a local business for lunch or a coffee in a welcome boost for our regional towns."

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A tender for the design is expected to go out to market by the end of this year, with the network expected to be fully up and running by early 2024.

The McGowan Government has also launched its Electric Vehicle Action Plan to encourage WA’s uptake of EVs. As part of the plan, work will also be undertaken to make the electricity grid more resilient.

"We are preparing for the future, with 20 per cent of new car sales in Australia expected to be electric by 2030,” said Energy Minister for WA, Bill Johnston.

"This is an exciting and important task for Synergy, Horizon Power and Western Power, with the 45 locations spanning more than 3000 kilometres across the state.

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"An electric vehicle charged using the state's main electricity grid will generate 30 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than a conventional petrol vehicle.

"I'm also pleased to launch the Electric Vehicle Action Plan, which will prepare our electricity system for the rapid uptake in electric vehicles and ensure it stays safe, secure and reliable."

Unlike its other state and territory counterparts, Western Australia has not got down the route of offering incentives to encourage EV uptake, nor has it followed in Victoria or New South Wales's footsteps and considered a tax.

For more on how each state and territory is approaching introducing EVs into the mainstream, click here.