The roll-out of a fast-charging network across NSW shows electric vehicles are fast becoming ‘mainstream’ an industry body claims.
And the NRMA’s $10 million roll-out of charging stations statewide will help consumers transition to electric vehicles.
The network of more than 40 chargers will encourage drivers to take longer trips, the Electric Vehicle Council claims.
EVC Chief Executive Behyad Jafari said Australia’s transition to electric vehicles is therefore “well and truly underway”.
EVC research shows that most Australians would consider buying an electric vehicle, Mr Jafari said.
Yet lack of support from the Federal Government and limited charging infrastructure has held them back. “The roll-out of chargers, however, will send a highly visible message that electric vehicles are quickly becoming a mainstream product for all motorists,” he said.
Fast-charging network supported by solar panels
Solar panels and home battery storage are also giving EV owners the option of charging electric vehicles at home and overnight.
As the EVC points out, owners can charge their EVs off solar panel systems for minimal, or even no cost.
Others can also take advantage of Time of Use tariffs to charge at very low off-peak rates, the council claims.
The planned EV roll-out follows the Queensland Government’s announcement of a ground-breaking electric vehicle strategy.
‘The Future is Electric – preparing Queensland for Electric Vehicles’ details the many benefits of transitioning to electric vehicles.
It also includes the creation of a Queensland Electric Super Highway network.
Consumers increasingly interested in electric vehicles
EVC research shows 50 per cent of consumers in 2017 would consider buying an electric vehicle.
Given the right government support, however, the figure rose to 70 per cent in the survey.
These statistics back up the recent Climate Council poll showing 77 per cent of Australians support a Clean Energy Target (CET).
This has now been replaced by the Federal Government with a National Energy Guarantee (NEG), which puts the brake on renewable energy including solar power and battery storage.
The Federal Government can show some leadership in this space by exempting electric vehicles from Fringe Benefits Tax, and setting a target for the proportion of electric vehicles sold on the Australian market,” Mr Jafari said.
