Australia’s Evie Networks plans to install new electric car public fast-chargers in 55 towns across rural and regional Victoria, with funding help from the State Government.
The 50kW DC chargers are made by Brisbane’s Tritium – a company which itself recently listed on the New York Stock Exchange – and will run on renewable energy.
They’re claimed to put around 50km of extra range into a typical EV in around 10 minutes.
The project details 55 sites and 55 chargers, meaning just the one per town, with the project expected to be completed in June 2023.
Evie Networks received the most funding from the State Government’s Destination Charging Across Victoria program, to the tune of $2.97 million.
The State Government is on the record as seeking 50 per cent zero-emissions sales by 2030, and has announced a range of measures tallying $100 million to make it happen.
These new regional charging stations are to come in addition to the stations installed and operated by Evie in 20 regional towns throughout the Loddon-Mallee and Hume regions.
Evie says it has also rolled out charging stations in suburban Melbourne with plans to expand coverage “throughout the entire Mornington Peninsula-Melbourne-Geelong metropolitan area”.
This metropolitan charging network expansion is supported by the Federal Government’s Future Fuels Fund (FFF).
“Since the last Easter long weekend in 2019 when Australians could travel restriction-free, EV uptake has increased four-fold and Victoria is at the forefront of this transition,” said Evie Networks CEO Chris Mills.
“… According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics, seven of the top 10 suburbs for EV uptake in Australia are in Victoria, with inner-city Melbourne taking top place. One in 1,105 people in Victoria currently own an EV.
“No matter where you live, everyone should be confident enough to buy an EV because they have access to reliable fast charging – not just city dwellers.
“The Federal Government’s Future Fuels Fund program will provide excellent coverage in high population metropolitan areas, and the Victorian Government’s Destination Charging Across Victoria program will ensure regional communities will also enjoy strong EV charging coverage so they aren’t left behind.
“This shift is happening quickly, so it’s our priority to work with regional areas to ensure they can meet the coming demand. Our site partners – from shopping centres owners and fuel stations to local councils, hospitality and tourism operators – understand that chargers are a necessity.”
The 55 towns listed in the project document are:
- Alexandra
- Ararat
- Bairnsdale
- Barwon Heads
- Beaufort
- Beechworth
- Belgrave
- Benalla
- Bendigo
- Bright
- Bruthen
- Camperdown
- Cann River
- Casterton
- ColaC
- Corryong
- Cowes
- Dartmoor
- Dunkeld
- Echuca
- Edenhope
- Hamilton
- Healesville
- Heathcote
- Kaniva
- Kyneton
- Lakes Entrance
- Lancefield
- Loch
- Macedon
- Maffra
- Mansfield
- Meeniyan
- Meredith
- Mildura
- Mirboo North
- Morwell
- Nagambie
- Paynesville
- Port Fairy
- Portland
- Red Hill South
- San Remo
- Shepparton
- St Arnaud
- Stawell
- Torquay
- Traralgon
- Wallan
- Wangaratta
- Warburton
- Warracknabeal
- Warragul
- Wodonga
- Yarrawonga
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