Construction starts on world’s longest electric vehicle highway

electric vehicle charger — Image courtesy of Synergy.

Works have started this week on the world’s longest electric vehicle (EV) highway, with the town of Kalbarri to be the first location to receive a charger on the WA EV Network.

The WA EV Network will stretch from Kununurra in the north, to Esperance in the south, and east to Eucia.

The $20 million project, which is being managed by Synergy and Horizon Power, will extend more than 6600 kilometres, with 98 chargers across 49 locations.

Installation of the first charging stations has begun at Kalbarri and Northampton, with construction starting at the Geraldton site next week.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said: “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.

“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.”

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Energy Minister Bill Johnston said there would be no more than 200 kilometres between each charger, reducing range anxiety for electric vehicle owners.

“Installation of the chargers at Kalbarri, Northampton and Geraldton will be done by Hamersley Electrical Contracting, a regional WA company specialising in work on renewable energy assets,” he said.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the new charging stations would help boost the uptake of electric vehicles, and reduce both emissions and petrol price pressure on households.

“Electric vehicles charged using the State’s main electricity grid produce 30 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional petrol vehicles,” he said.

The sites are expected to begin operation early next year, with works on the remaining locations on Western Australia’s main electricity grid, the South West Interconnected System, throughout 2023.

The contracts for the installation of the standard and fast chargers will be awarded to several local Western Australian companies over the duration of the project.

The WA EV Network is part of the Western Australian Government’s Electric Vehicle Action Plan.

For more on the WA EV Network, visit: www.synergy.net.au