Work kicks off on WA's ambitious EV network

Construction has started on what the Western Australian Government describes as the world’s longest electric vehicle highway, with the town of Kalbarri to be the first location to receive a charger on the WA EV Network.

Work on the installation of the first charging stations has begun at Kalbarri and Northampton, with construction starting at the Geraldton site this week.

“The McGowan government is excited to see construction start on this state-led project being managed by Synergy and Horizon Power,” said Energy Minister Bill Johnston.

“There will be no more than 200 kilometres between each charger, reducing range anxiety and allowing electric vehicle owners to explore our amazing state.”

Johnston said installation of the chargers at Kalbarri, Northampton and Geraldton would be carried out by Hamersley Electrical Contracting, a regional WA company specialising in work on renewable energy assets.

The sites are expected to be operational early next year with work to be undertaken on the remaining locations on Western Australia’s main electricity grid, the South West Interconnected System, throughout 2023. The contract for the installation of the standard and fast chargers will be awarded to several local WA companies over the duration of the project.

“This is an important step in WA becoming home to Australia’s longest electric vehicle highway by the end of 2024,” said Environment Minister Reece Whitby.

“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. Electric vehicles charged using the state’s main electricity grid produce 30% less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional petrol vehicles.”

The WA EV Network will stretch from Kununurra in the north to Esperance in the south and east to Eucla. The $20 million project extends more than 6600 km with 98 chargers across 49 locations.

The EV Network is part of the state government’s Electric Vehicle Action Plan. “The construction of the EV network is a key part of our government’s strategy to increase the uptake of electric vehicles in Western Australia,” said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.

“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.”

Image credit: iStock.com/zetter