Nine key tourist routes in New South Wales have been equipped with EV chargers to allow EV motorists to more easily travel through some of the state’s most important regions.
At least two fast-charging plugs and one destination charging plug have been placed per 100 kilometres. With most modern EVs now boasting a range of roughly 400 kilometres, the choice of charger frequency has been made to remove range anxiety from motorists.
The installation of these chargers is part of the state government’s overall $199 million investment into improving the accessibility of public charging infrastructure around the state. Funding has been awarded for more than 3000 charge ports at over 1100 sites with more to come.
Crucially, these nine routes cover almost 3000 kilometres of road in key travel areas including the Central Coast and Hunter. Valley, the Kosciuszko Alpine Way and the Greater Blue Mountains Drive.
Also included in the routes is the Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive and Legendary Pacific Coast, meaning EV fast-charging infrastructure is now present on the entire NSW coastline.
Although this roll-out is targeted at tourists driving light EVs, there is high potential for the program to be progressed to include EV fast chargers powerful enough to charge heavy vehicles, while electric vans and light trucks operating in the regions of the fast-chargers have now become more viable options for transport and logistics professionals.
“We are committed to making the state a leader in electric vehicle adoption and sustainable tourism,” Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe says.
“Driving electric is not only better for the environment, but it is also the most budget-friendly way to hit the road.
“Lower running costs means EVs offer significant savings for drivers.”
The nine EV-friendly routes with installed fast and destination chargers are as follows:
- Central Coast and Hunter Valley – a U-shaped 257km trip from Newcastle to Maitland
- Grand Pacific Drive – a 200km journey along the coastline from Sydney to Jervis Bay
- Greater Blue Mountains Drive – a 283km round trip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains
- Southern Highlands to the South Coast – a 210km journey through the highlands and coast
- Kosciuszko Alpine Way – a 171km drive through the Snowy Mountains
- Southern Tablelands – a 100km trip taking in Goulburn and surrounds
- Classic Country – a 422km drive through the Southern and Riverina Murray tourism regions
- Legendary Pacific Coast – an 819km, multi-day journey along the Pacific Highway
- Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive – a 406km trip through Australia’s southeastern corner
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