Latest News

WA completes nation-first ‘EV highway’

The WA Government has completed its nation-leading WA EV Network, one of the world's longest connected electric vehicle charging highways.

The Western Australian Government has completed its nation-leading WA EV Network, one of the world’s longest connected electric vehicle (EV) charging highways.

The WA EV Network directly addresses the concerns surrounding the anxieties of EV range and infrastructure.

The WA EV Network – delivered by Horizon Power and Synergy, and funded by the WA government – is Australia’s longest connected EV-charging highway, stretching from Mundrabilla to Kununurra, a distance of more than 3500km.

The network’s completion comes as Department of Transport data shows the number of registered EVs on WA roads more than doubled in the past financial year to more than 22,000.

The WA EV Network

The Network features 110 charging points across 49 locations between Mundrabilla in the south and Kununurra in the north. This means more people can drive through Western Australia in an EV, supporting regional tourism by improving accessibility to the State’s regions.

In some isolated locations that are difficult to connect to an existing power supply, chargers are being supported by standalone power systems, which largely draw on solar and small-scale battery storage for power.

The network has already drawn international praise, with Time Magazine recognising it as one of the world’s 100 greatest places to visit in 2024.

Synergy and Horizon Power jointly delivered the WA EV Network, which forms part of the State Government’s $43.5 million investment in EV-charging infrastructure.

Energy, Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby outlined how the achievement for Western Australia that will allow households to drive the energy transition.

“Through our investment in the WA EV Network, we have opened our State to EV drivers, who can travel from Albany to Kalbarri or Perth to Esperance without the fear of range anxiety,” Whitby says.

“That’s good news for tourism in WA and a big reason why the network has drawn international attention.”

Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport David Michael highlighted the increase in registration on new EVs in WA over the past financial year.

“The Western Australian Government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle rebate announced in the 2022-23 State Budget, which provides a $3,500 rebate for people purchasing new EVs is supporting motorists in making the switch,” Michael says.

Good starting point

The Electric Vehicle Council says the project is a great start but wants governments to do more to overcome particularly Australian issues of range for EVs.

“Range anxiety, both real and perceived, is still a major barrier preventing many Australians from making the switch to electric vehicles,” EVC Head of Legal, Policy and Advocacy Aman Gaur says. “That’s why building electric highways and expanding public charging infrastructure are crucial to driving greater EV adoption.

“Electric highways offer a wide range of benefits – not only do they make it easier for EV drivers to embark on road trips and explore new regions, they also encourage people to extend their stays and support local businesses along the way.

“They’re almost the opposite of a highway bypass. Instead of diverting visitors away from regional towns, EV fast chargers get people back into regional communities to top up their vehicles and spend both time and money in local areas – a win-win-win for the regions.

To read more about the WA EV Network, click here.

Send this to a friend