RAA, state government backing network of hundreds of electric vehicle charging spots across South Australia
South Australia's Royal Automobile Association's state-wide network of electric vehicle charging points was supported and complemented by both Liberal and Labor state governments. The map sketches the network as at the first half of 2022, with additions ongoing.
Images courtesy, RAA, South Australia
The South Australian government in 2022 funded more electric vehicle (EV) charging sites, complementing the RAA (Royal Automobile Association) project to install 536 EV charging points at 140 locations across South Australia.
RAA engaged Chargefox, Australia’s largest EV charge point operator, as its primary contractor to assist with the rollout. Besides RAA’s investment, the state Liberal government provided $12 million towards the statewide EV charging network. This would see charging points available in regional centres, tourist destinations, Adelaide suburbs, and along highways. Most charging points would be within 200 kilometres of each other with a maximum between them of about 250 kilometres, well within the range of a typical EV car battery.
The RAA also opened the first ultra-rapid EV charging points in regional South Australia with Chargefox and has added EVs to its own vehicle fleet. It launched a range of household fast-charging EV outlets and set up an electric vehicle working group.
Funding in 2022 from the state Labor government for a 12-month trial of EV charging stations included a $803,000 grant to Planet Ark Power for a bank of six ultra-fast and eight fast-charging stations powered by one megawatt/1.25MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Foodland Pasadena Shopping Centre in Adelaide’s southern suburbs – a first for the state’s shopping centres.
Using battery energy storage for the Pasadena shopping centre charging stations avoided costly upgrades to the local network to operate the ultra-fast chargers, designed to draw from 350-450kW power each, depending on the charging unit. Connected to the grid via eleXsys energy units, the batteries would charge up during the day when the solar production peaked. This ensured EVs were charged by renewable power at night, as well as easing pressure from the local grid in daylight hours. Pasadena sshoppers would be able to charge their electric cars in as little as 15 minutes, giving around 400 kilometres range, for $40.
The other state government grants for electric vehicle trial charge stations went to:
- $267,756 for AGL smart charging at Wilson Parking Adelaide CBD Carparks and business/private locations for the City of Marion, Uniting Communities and Centacare.
- $345,000 for a Chargefox time-of-use-pricing smart charging trial, Port Adelaide Plaza
- $354,250 for Flinders University’s virtual power plant, commercial fleet and public rapid charging network.
- $176,820 for smart charging station at Victor Harbor beachfront holiday park.
- $357,490 for a new service station in Nuriootpa at Rocland Wines.
- $558,333 for metropolitan public charging stations.
- $81,000 for the City of Adelaide’s UPark EV fleet smart charging trial.
State transport minister Tom Koutsantonis said there were forecasts of up to 170,000 electric vehicles being on South Australian roads by 2030.
