'Time is now' for charging expansion as EV buzz builds

Wattle Range Council CEO Ben Gower with his electric vehicle. (ABC South East SA: Josh Brine) Electric vehicle purchases represented about one-sixth of new vehicle sales in April, industry data shows. South Australia's RAA says now is the time to expand charging infrastructure to ensure it meets growing demand. In SA's south-east, the Wattle Range Council is building chargers for its own fleet, as well as public use. Link copiedShareShare articleSouth Australia's peak motoring body is calling for an urgent expansion of charging infrastructure as electric vehicle interest booms in the wake of the fuel crisis. Sales of EVs have surged this year, with data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' VFACTS report showing EVs accounted for one in six new vehicles sold in April. The RAA's Peter Nattrass said in recent busy periods, over Easter and during the AFL's Gather Round, chargers in regional areas such as the state's Limestone Coast were key to keeping people moving. "We saw Mount Gambier, Bordertown and Tintinara were in the top 10 [chargers for usage]," he said. "We're really seeing a lot of electric vehicle use in the regions, which shows that growing confidence people have now." The RAA rolled out electric vehicle chargers across the state with funding from the state government. (Supplied: RAA) But Mr Nattrass said with one in every two SA motorists considering an EV for their next vehicle, private investment supported by government was needed to expand the charging network. "When we look at the concentrated demand in the south-east, the Riverland and up towards Port Augusta, there's a need to really build out that network. "The RAA built out the minimum viable network needed statewide, but we really want to see a lot more choice in the market." Wattle Range Council chief executive Ben Gower switched to using an EV about three years ago. "I've found it really easy to get around the state, around the region and particularly locally," he said. Ben Gower says the council plans to add chargers in its office car park. (ABC South East SA: Josh Brine) But Mr Gower said the council had received calls from the public for more chargers, with the council planning to build four charging stations at its Millicent office. "It's going to be a mid-speed charging station, primarily to preserve council vehicle's batteries," he said. "But it will also give an option for the community to get a charge in about an hour if they need it." The RAA says for every 1,000 EVs, 17 charging places are needed. (ABC News: Jess Davis) Mr Gower said developers were also looking at other locations in Millicent to install EV chargers. "I think the key is to at least have one fast charger in each of our significant regional towns." The RAA believes EVs could save millions of litres of fuel. (ABC News: Daniel Taylor) The RAA believes increasing charging infrastructure and making EVs more viable could also improve fuel security. Mr Nattrass said increasing the number of electric cars would free up a large amount of fuel for other uses. "Just [across] that 10-day Easter-Gather Round period, we estimate there was 560,000 litres of fuel freed up for other people [by electric car use]," he said. "Nationally, we have 500,000 electric vehicles on the road. EVs accounted for one-sixth of new vehicle sales in April. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) Mr Nattrass said it was vital for infrastructure to be built urgently to offer motorists more confidence to switch. "The time is now for the government to support private investment into this sector," he said. "There's a long lead time of 12 months, 18 months or more to build an EV charging point. "Right now is when we're needing to see state and federal support. "If electric vehicles are part of our fuel security, we need to be seeing support particularly in tourism hotspots and major travel corridors." The state government was contacted for comment. Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)PromotionTop StoriesThe tradies taking a chance at getting rich quickTopic:Social Media

'Time is now' for charging expansion as EV buzz builds

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