South Australia’s first border-to-border electric vehicle (EV) charging network – RAA Charge – has reached a significant milestone, with more than 50% of the 140 sites now operational.
The RAA Charge network now has 71 operational sites, consisting of 68 7kW destination charges and three 200kW Ultra-rapid or 150kW Rapid charging sites.
Last week the RAA launched another 200kW Ultra-rapid charging site located in Burnside, on the back of installing a 200kW charging site in Mount Barker last week.
Chief executive Nick Reade said RAA was ensuring the charging infrastructure would be in place to accommodate the massive growth in EVs in South Australia.
“RAA Charge will help support the uptake of EVs in SA, as new EV sales this year have already doubled the total new EV sales for all of 2022,” Mr Reade said.
“Since March, the growing network has provided almost 3000 charging sessions, providing enough power to cover a whopping 230,000km while abating 12.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
“With the Burnside Civic Centre 200kw Ultra-rapid charger coming online today, we’re excited to offer EV drivers a place to charge that is both close to the freeway and the city.
“EV drivers will be able to fully charge their vehicle in 10-45 minutes, from one of the four charging bays available.”
In an Australian first, RAA has publicly released its EV Charging Accessible Charging Guidelines – a best practice guide to designing and installing accessible EV charging infrastructure in Australia.
“There are currently no regulations or design standards of this kind in Australia to guide the design and installation of EV charging, including the hardware and space around it,” Mr Reade said.
“In 2022, RAA conducted an accessibility trial to assist in the design and installation of EV charging stations which helped inform our construction of RAA Charge, as well as the development of the guidelines.
“As South Australia’s largest member organisation, we are proud to be playing a leading role in ensuring EV charging infrastructure is accessible for all South Australians.”
There are currently six Rapid and Ultra-rapid charging sites in construction under the RAA Charge network at Cowell, Blackwood, Woodside, Morgan and Kilburn, while there is an Ultra-rapid 200kW site at Waikerie.
The cost to charge an EV with a driving range of about 480km at an RAA Charge Rapid or Ultra-rapid site is between $22-26 depending on the time of day.
In comparison, it costs more than $50 to fill a similar car with an internal combustion engine and achieve an equivalent driving range.
The RAA Charge network, which is being rolled out with the support of a $12.35m grant provided by the State Government, is expected to be completed in 2024.
