WA building the nation’s longest EV charging network

Work is under way in Western Australia to build the nation’s longest electric vehicle charging network, stretching over 7000km.

When completed, the network will connect Kununurra in the north to Esperance in the south and Eucla in the east, with 98 stations at 49 locations in between.

Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby said the network would help reduce WA’s dependence on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

“I’m proud our government is investing in fast charging infrastructure to help drive the uptake of electric vehicles and steer WA towards a clean energy future,” he said on Wednesday.

The vast network includes a fast charger in Perth’s Kings Park, with another set to open in Carnarvon in the Gascoyne region on Thursday.

The 150-kilowatt chargers are expected to top up an average electric vehicle’s battery in about 20 minutes.

The Carnarvon site will be the 10th charger to go live on the WA EV Network since the first went live in Geraldton in April.

The other operational sites are in Broome, Northampton, Lancelin, Manjimup Williams, Walpole and Albany.

Additional sites are also planned for Exmouth, Karratha, Esperance and Denham, with work set to be completed by July of next year.

The $21 million government-owned network will be operated by Synergy and Horizon Power.

Aaron Bunch
(Australian Associated Press)