Construction of the electric vehicle highway began this week, with Kalbarri set to be the first location to receive a charger on the WA EV Network.
The first charging stations were installed this week in Kalbarri and Northampton, with construction beginning next week in Geraldton.
Energy Minister Bill Johnston said the McGowan Government is pleased to see construction begin on this State-led project, which Synergy and Horizon Power will operate.
“There will be no more than 200 kilometres between each charger, reducing range anxiety and allowing electric vehicle owners to explore our amazing State.” Minister Johnston stated.
The Minister added that Hamersley Electrical Contracting, a regional Western Australian (WA) company specialising in work on renewable energy assets, will instal the chargers in Kalbarri, Northampton, and Geraldton.
The sites are expected to go live early next year, with development continuing on the remaining locations on WA major electrical grid, the South West Interconnected System, until 2023.
Several local WA businesses will be granted contracts to instal the regular and fast chargers during the course of the project.
The WA EV Network will connect Kununurra in the north, Esperance in the south, and Eucla in the east.
The $20 million project extends over 6,600 kilometres and includes 98 chargers in 49 sites.
Environment Minister Reece Whitby described the project as a crucial step towards WA having Australia’s longest electric vehicle highway by the end of 2024.
“These charging stations will help boost the uptake of electric vehicles, reducing the State’s emissions as well as relieving the petrol price pressure on households,” Minister Whitby said.
The Minister added that EVs charged through the State’s primary power grid emit 30 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional gasoline vehicles.
According to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, the development of the EV network is an important component of the Government’s strategy to boost the use of electric vehicles in WA.
“By putting in place the infrastructure, and incentives like the Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate, we’re setting the right conditions to get more people driving EVs,” Minister Saffioti said.
Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton said: “I am proud that Geraldton is joining the EV revolution with new charging stations along the world’s longest electric vehicle highway.”
Dalton added that residents, entrepreneurs, and tourists with EVs would be able to travel to and through Geraldton with confidence beginning early next year, thanks to the charging stations.
The EV Network is a component of the State Government’s Electric Vehicle Action Plan.
