New EV charger unveiled

NRMA launched its Narrabri EV charger in the town hall car park last Friday, with the help of NSW Minister for Regional Roads and Transport, Jenny Aitchison.

The $6 million program to deliver 25 more electric vehicle fast chargers in regional NSW is almost complete.

The program was funded with a $3 million contribution each from the NSW government and the NRMA to help deliver greener and cleaner travel, with the additional benefit of having around 3000 EV chargers installed at tourist destinations under the program.

Not-for-profit renewable energy company Geni.energy’s founder Sally Hunter gave a speech at the official opening and highlighted the growing renewable energy community in north west NSW.

“We are really pleased to have two NRMA EV chargers here to go along with the Fimer EV 22kW charger that we had donated to the community, located further up Barwan Street,” said Mrs Hunter.

“It is crucial that there are a few options for travellers. We have had at least half a dozen people travelling through town, call into our office in the main street asking where the EV chargers are, and before these were open, we would get the complaints about the lack of charging infrastructure.”

“I thank NRMA for having this vision and delivering on it to help our region reduce our transport emissions.

“For the Narrabri LGA, about seven per cent of our total annual greenhouse gas emissions are from transport, so switching to electric vehicles is an enjoyable, fun, and convenient way to drive down those emissions.”

Mrs Aitchison commended the great news that from the resulting NSW government’s partnership with the NRMA, 25 additional fast chargers would be added throughout regional NSW. “I am very pleased that we have been able to extend the regional network of fast chargers in the lead-up to the Christmas break and summer holidays,” said Mrs Aitchison.

“This will allow EV drivers to travel with confidence, further powering up local economies and investment in regional areas and increase the take-up rate of EVs.”

The charger locations have been chosen strategically to connect major centres within the state and also to link up with major routes in Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia.

The program involves the installation of dual chargers ranging from 50kW to 150kW in key regional NSW locations. Most of these locations will be within no more than 150 kilometres from one another in the NRMA fast charger network.

The range provided depends on the charger and the electric vehicle but for example, a 75kW charger can charge an EV battery to provide up to 90km of range in 15 minutes, 180km of range in 30 minutes, or 360km of range in one hour.

“This is a significant improvement for regional transport and in key regional hubs, like Wollongong where there is now a 150kW charger, which has an even greater and faster charging capacity to get people moving more quickly,” said Mrs Aitchison.

In the last year, EV registrations have risen more than 140 per cent on average across NSW, and with new charging infrastructure, it will make it easier for drivers to travel longer cleaner journeys.

“Along with other EV initiatives by the NSW government, this is an important part of the decarbonisation of our transport system and essential to meeting our net zero by 2050 target,” said Mrs Aitchison.

The program will extend the NRMA’s existing chargers to more than 100 in around 70 locations in NSW, creating the most comprehensive regional charging network in the country.

The fast chargers further unlock the state with a focus on regional corridors including the Newell, Barrier, New England, and Kamilaroi highways as well as completing the Castlereagh, Hume, and Kings Highway connections, which will be a huge benefit for local tourism as travellers stop into different towns to use charging stations on their travels.

Carly Irving-Dolan, chief executive of energy at the NRMA, spoke about how the rollout of the program will see vital connections established across regional NSW.

“The NRMA knows the importance of connecting communities, whether it’s those from the city or the bush. We are committed to ensuring that no Australian community is left behind in the transition to EVs. With our expanding network of EV chargers, we are empowering people to move whenever, wherever they want to safely and confidently in an EV.”

Ms Irving-Dolan said, “As EV uptake continues to increase year on year, drivers expect to be able to navigate through NSW and find a charger with ease.”

Chargers at Inverell, Narrabri, Moree, and Dorrigo were switched on in recent weeks and another one at Walcha is due by the end of the month. This program also includes chargers at Casino, Tenterfield, Coonamble, Nyngan, Cobar, Wilcannia, Broken Hill, Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, Gilgandra, Jerilderie, Temora, Armidale, Scone, Yass, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong and Braidwood.

The Transport for NSW partnership with the NRMA to deliver more fast chargers in the regions follows last week’s announcement by the NSW government of $10 million allocated under round two of the Destination Charging Program.