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A $6 project equally co-funded by the NSW Government and the NRMA to deliver 25 more electric vehicle fast chargers in regional NSW is almost complete.
This will extend the NRMA’s existing chargers to more than 100 in around 70 locations in NSW, creating the most comprehensive regional charging network in the country.
The program involves the installation of dual chargers ranging from 50kW to 150kW in key regional NSW locations. Most of these locations will be within no more than 150 kilometres from another in the NRMA fast charger network.
The northwest of NSW is the latest area to be rolled out with chargers at Inverell, Narrabri, Moree and Dorrigo switched on in recent weeks and another one at Walcha due by the end of the month.
The 25 new chargers are at:
– Armidale
– Bourke
– Braidwood – will be switched on by end of 2023
– Brewarrina
– Broken Hill
– Cobar
– Coonamble
– Casino
– Dorrigo
– Gilgandra – will be switched on by end of 2023
– Inverell
– Jerilderie
– Moree
– Narrabri
– Nyngan
– Scone
– Temora
– Tenterfield
– Wagga Wagga
– Walcha – will be switched on by end of November 2023
– Walgett
– Wilcannia
– Wollongong
– Yass
Thanks to efficiencies achieved in the co-funded program, there will be an additional charger site in Moruya installed in 2024.
While it would be better to have dual chargers at each location for better redundancy in case of vandalism (like NRMA Albury suffered) or Tritium hardware issues, it is good to have the bare bones of a fast charger network along regional corridors including the Newell, Barrier, New England and Kamilaroi highways as well as completing the Castlereagh, Hume and Kings Highway connections.
The Transport for NSW partnership with the NRMA to deliver more fast chargers in the regions follows last week’s announcement by the NSW Government of $10 million allocated under round two of the Destination Charging Program.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison commented:
“It is great news that as a result of the NSW Government’s partnership with the NRMA we will deliver 25 additional fast chargers throughout regional NSW. The charger locations have been chosen strategically to connect major centres within the state and also to link up with major routes in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia”.
“I am very pleased that we have been able to extend the regional network of fast chargers in the lead up to the Christmas break and summer holidays. This will allow EV drivers to travel with confidence, further powering up local economies and investment in regional areas and increase the take up rate of EVs”.
“This is a significant improvement for regional transport and in key regional hubs, like Wollongong where there is now a 150kW charger, which have an even greater and faster charging capacity to get people moving more quickly”.
“In the last year, EV registrations have risen more than 140 per cent on average across NSW and with new charging infrastructure we are making it easier for drivers to travel longer, cleaner journeys”.
“Along with other EV initiatives by the NSW government this is an important part of the decarbonisation of our transport system and essential to meeting our net zero by 2050 target.”
Carly Irving-Dolan Chief Executive – Energy at the NRMA commented:
“The NRMA is pleased to deliver an additional 25 electric vehicle fast chargers across regional NSW in partnership with the NSW Government.
“As EV uptake continues to increase year on year, drivers expect to be able to navigate through NSW and find a charger with ease. The rollout of this program sees vital connections established across regional NSW”.
“With our expanding network of EV chargers, we are empowering people to move whenever, wherever they want to safely and confidently in an EV”.
“The NRMA knows the importance of connecting communities, whether it’s those from the city or the bush. We are committed to ensuring that no Australian community is left behind in the transition to EVs.”
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