Electric Vehicle Owners Face Range Anxiety on Queensland's Inland Highways
When Jacki Whittaker purchased an electric SUV two years ago, she thought she had bid farewell to the dreaded "range anxiety" that plagues many new electric vehicle (EV) owners. However, a recent road trip through central western Queensland has revealed a critical issue: the lack of dedicated EV charging points on key inland highways.
Ms. Whittaker's journey through towns like Longreach, Winton, Hughenden, and Richmond was seamless, thanks to the abundance of charging stations. Yet, her recent experience highlights a significant challenge for EV owners in the region.
The Peak Downs Highway, a vital route connecting the coalfields of the Bowen Basin to the coast, lacks dedicated EV charging points. This is despite the highway's heavy traffic, dominated by diesel work vehicles and trucks carrying mining machinery. Ms. Whittaker's frustration stems from the missed opportunity for the region's drive-tourism market.
The Queensland government's Electric Super Highway Program has successfully installed charging stations in central, western, and northwest Queensland. However, the Peak Downs Highway and parts of the Leichhardt Highway, north of Miles in the Western Downs region, have been overlooked for public funding.
The absence of high-capacity, purpose-built chargers in small communities like Clermont is a concern. While electric vehicle mapping services like PlugShare advertise charging infrastructure, these are often not up to par. The head of energy, infrastructure, and commercial at the Electric Vehicle Council, Alina Dini, emphasizes the growing need for commercial chargers in rural and remote areas.
The federal government has allocated an additional $40 million to bolster the charging network, indicating a recognition of the issue. However, the installation of chargers in remote areas presents challenges. Electric vehicle owners often rely on roadhouses like Dylan Jones's, located on the Leichhardt Highway, for meals but not for charging.
Mr. Jones's roadhouse, located an hour's drive south of Rockhampton, has been struggling with various issues, from drinking water problems to a supercell storm that ripped off the roof. Despite regular visitors from Brisbane and regional centers, the lack of high-voltage charging infrastructure is a recurring question.
The northern section of the Leichhardt Highway is not included in Queensland's Electric Super Highway program. Mr. Jones highlights the commercial viability challenge, stating that installing a charger would require significant out-of-pocket expenses for his small family business.
Despite these challenges, Ms. Dini believes that the growing number of electric vehicle owners will make it more feasible for smaller communities to host chargers. With high-powered chargers now available across Australia, the average electric vehicle range of 400-600 kilometers ensures that regular charging stops are necessary.
As the debate over EV charging infrastructure continues, the need for a comprehensive approach to address range anxiety on Queensland's inland highways becomes increasingly apparent. The discussion invites comments and thoughts from readers, encouraging a diverse range of perspectives on this critical issue.
