Tasmanian premier and climate change minister Peter Gutwein has officially launched its state-wide EV fast charge network.
The network comprises 14 fast chargers, from Geeveston to Scottsdale, and Queenstown to Burnie, as well as the Midlands in between, and it will continue to grow, he says.
These are mainly 50kW stations with two also providing up to 350kW.
“With Tasmania now being 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy, and committed to increasing this to 200% of our current needs by 2040, there is no doubt we are ideally suited to electric vehicles,” Gutwein adds.
“It is clear that transport globally is undergoing a transition towards low emissions vehicles, and we are ensuring we have the infrastructure and networks in place so that Tasmanians, and visitors, alike can benefit.”
Gutwein says the government will continue to support EV uptake.
‘Which is why we have invested around $600,000 to support the establishment of the network which has stimulated $2.5 million in investment in charging infrastructure through our ChargeSmart Grants Program.”
He points out that Tasmania is ideally placed to benefit from the rise in EV users and new technology on its roads.
“Our state-wide electric charging network is now capable of ensuring mid-range electric vehicles can travel nearly everywhere around the state.”
The funding supports not only the 14 fast chargers but 23 workplace and destination chargers as well.
Gutwein praises the work of Electric Highway Tasmania (EHT) and others involved in developing the state-wide network.
EHT is a private company established in March 2017 by a group of EV enthusiasts, with the goal of ensuring there would be a network of EV fast chargers allowing access to all parts of Tasmania.
Its shareholders are members of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (Tasmania Branch) who have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars toward the project.
EHT works with electricity supply partner UPC Renewables, installation and maintenance provider I Want Energy, the Tasmanian Climate Change Office, TasNetworks and Chargefox.
