The Electric Vehicle Council has hailed the completion of the state's electric highway as a crucial step forward in the shift to sustainable, cheaper-to-run transport, as it urges all parties to build on the momentum by pledging more EV commitments ahead of the state election.
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.
EVC Head of Legal, Policy and Advocacy Aman Gaur said the completion of WA's electric highway will help supercharge the state's transition to EVs.
"The completion of WA's electric highway is a major milestone for WA that will give Western Australians even more confidence and motivation to switch to an electric vehicle. With the number of EVs in WA already on the rise, this development will further accelerate the shift to cleaner transport across the state," Mr Gaur said.
"Range anxiety, both real and perceived, is still a major barrier preventing many Australians from making the switch to electric vehicles. 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.
"With the WA election just around the corner, we are urging all parties to build on the state's progress by committing to more electric vehicle initiatives. That includes funding grants to install EV chargers on kerbsides and in existing apartment buildings, as well as providing incentives for councils to make council-owned car parks available for charging stations.
"Amid the cost-of-living pressures, extending the rebate for battery electric vehicles would provide significant benefits for Western Australians. The upfront cost of an electric vehicle remains a major barrier to EV adoption, but once people switch, they can save an average of $3,000 annually on fuel and maintenance."
