The Queensland Government has announced the first fast-charging station at The Esplanade in Cairns for what will be the world’s longest electric vehicle superhighway in one state.
The Queensland Electric Super Highway is being developed through a collaboration between Energy Queensland and several State Government Departments and local councils.
Minister for Energy, Mark Bailey, said, “This fast-charging station is the first of many proposed throughout the state which will be announced by the Queensland Government in coming months, making it possible to drive an electric vehicle from the state’s southern border to the Far North.
“This project is ambitious, but our vision is to facilitate increased uptake of electric vehicles in Queensland, getting as many people as possible on board the electric vehicle revolution, as part of our transition to a low emissions future.
“That’s why fast-charging stations will also be available for use at no cost for the initial phase of the super highway.”
Member for Barron River, Craig Crawford, said this was an important announcement for the Far North.
“What makes this exciting is the fact that the energy supplied in this fast-charging station, and others to follow, will be green energy purchased through green energy credits or offsets.
“EVs can provide not only a reduced fuel cost for Queenslanders, but an environmentally-friendly transport option, particularly when charged from renewable energy,” Mr Crawford said.
Mr Bailey said electric vehicle ownership rates around the world are increasing, largely due to significant advances in battery technology and continued cost reductions in EVs.
“The most recent Queensland Household Energy Survey showed that 50 per cent of Queenslanders will consider an electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid or regenerative breaking hybrid, when purchasing a new car in the next two years,” Mr Bailey said.
“The survey showed that people considering an EV fall within two groups – those motivated by the value and cost effectiveness of EVs, and those motivated by the environment.
“And 64 per cent of respondents said improvements to public fast-charging infrastructure would further tempt them into purchasing an EV.”
