Where Are All the EV Chargers? Navigating the Electric Highway
As the world, including Australia, accelerates down the road to an all-electric future, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is becoming more popular year on year.
But in order to facilitate the end use of fossil fuel cars and promote the transition to EVs, we need a robust network of EV charging stations across the country.
Recently, I experienced a near miss due to a lack of EV charging infrastructure firsthand. Driving an EV over 180kms for the first time, I realised I’d need to recharge before reaching my destination. Confidently, and with a little relief, I pulled into a large service station on the M1 only to be shocked that they did not have an EV charger. I couldn’t help but wonder: why not?
The Charge Is On
The last few years have seen an uptick in EV sales. However, the widespread adoption of EVs hinges not just on the vehicle themselves, but also on the availability of reliable charging infrastructure where, and when, it’s needed.
Australia’s EV charging network is expanding rapidly with the Australian government, along with private companies, investing heavily in expansion, ensuring that EV owners can confidently hit the road without the fear of running out of power.
Companies like Engie, NRMA, RACV, RAA, Chargehub and Evie Networks are building extensive fast-charging networks across major highways and urban centers. Energy companies are integrating EV chargers into existing sites, just not at the site I needed there to be one!
The Current Landscape
According to the Electric Vehicle Council’s Australian Electric Vehicle Industry Recap 2023 (the Recap,) there was a 75% increase in charging infrastructure locations in Australia in 2023, compared to 2022, with the number of public DC charging locations growing from 464 at the end of 2022, to about 812 at the end of 2023. It also states, ‘the deployment of ultrafast charging locations is currently moving slightly quicker than the rapid growth in vehicle numbers’, and outlines there were more charging locations in NSW than Queensland, Victoria and other states.
A key driver behind this growth in NSW is the State government’s investment of $199 million to build a world-class EV charging network, which has included:
- $10 million was provided in the second round of Destination Charging Grants to encourage small to medium regional tourism businesses and councils to install at least 1,500 EV charge points.
- $3 million was provided in Kerbside Charging Grants to support the installation of at least 150 electric vehicle chargers at kerbside locations, offering co-funding for charge point operators and councils of up to 80% of installation and equipment costs. There is another $7 million in the budget.
- A $10 million EV Ready Buildings Grants Program was launched in November last year to facilitate the installation of charging infrastructure in over 100 residential strata apartment buildings across the state.
Victorian grants of $5 million to establish a public EV fast-charging network across Victoria with an aim to install 43 regular EV charging stations and 90 fast EV charging stations, $3 million in grants provided to 26 local councils and 12 businesses to install 150 stations and $2.2 million for four innovative EV charging projects that included 100 public EV charger installations, pales in comparison.
Plugging Into the Future
With the Recap also noting that:
- “98,436 new EVs were purchased in 2023;
- new EV purchases in Australia more than doubled in 2023, compared to 2022 with 8.45% of all new cars sold being EVs; and
- the market can continue to grow at 30-50% per year”,
Victoria, and the rest of Australia, will have to ramp up the installation and accessibility of EV charging stations to enable those of us already proud owners of EVs, and the new owners of EVs this year and beyond, to travel stress free, knowing there is a charging station around the corner, or on the M1 between Drouin and Berwick!
For businesses, now is the perfect time to consider installing EV chargers and capitalising on this booming market. Not only will EV chargers cater to the growing number of EV drivers and
provide you with additional revenue, but they will also position you as a leader in sustainability – an increasingly important factor for consumers.
Sparking Sustainability
The future of EVs and EV charging stations in Australia is electrifyingly exciting and the rise in the number of EVs and EV charging stations is a pivotal step towards a greener, more sustainable future. Something we can all breathe easier about.
For more information about EV chargers and EV charger installations, providing staff or customers the convenience of being able to park and charge their EVs while using your facilities and how they can provide additional revenue for you, read this case study
here or go to the web page
here.
For over 35 years, Quality Energy have provided, manufactured and installed power quality, energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions, including EV chargers. Our mission is to help businesses solve the problem of ever-increasing energy costs and inconsistent, unreliable power supply.
Give us a call on 1800 736 374 or send us an email to discuss your power quality, energy efficiency or renewable energy project.
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