Increasing their electric vehicle (EV) support network throughout the state, the Queensland government has just announced a large scale EV tourism initiative.
Last year, we reported on the world’s longest electric super highway in Queensland (a 2,000km stretch of tropical coastline, dotted with vehicle charging stations, from Cairns to Coolangatta) and now the state government has made further inroads to accommodate EV enthusiasts and tourists alike – they’ve unveiled Australia’s first electric vehicle tourism driving network.
The 500-kilometre Tropical North Queensland Electric Vehicle Drive will feature six electric vehicle charging stations, all powered up at key tourist attractions across the Cairns region, in a move to bolster tourism to Far North Queensland and stimulate both the local economy and employment.
Local Cairns company Intrust Energy Solutions delivered the 84kW of charger installations together with EVSE Australia. Charging at these stations will be free for users over the next 12 months.
The charging stations will be available at:
- Paronella Park
- Herberton Historic Village
- Coffee Works Mareeba
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
- Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
- Mossman Gorge Visitor Centre
Minister for State Development Cameron Dick stated in a media release that the project was an important step as Queensland continued its renewable and sustainable transition on fuels (towards the state’s 2030 and 2050 renewables and emissions targets), which was positive for tourists and locals alike.
This sentiment was echoed by Member for Barron River Craig Crawford who added that innovative tourism experiences like this drive would provide a new dimension to the natural beauty of Far North Queensland.
Recent analysis by AEMO forecasts nearly four and a half million residential and commercial EVs in operation across the east-coast of Australia by 2037-38, representing approximately 17% of the total vehicle fleet, as EV technology (along with other sustainable automotive fuel options such as hydrogen) continues to evolve and become more accessible.
*As the system and market operator, we are fuel and technology neutral. The products, services and providers in this content are for illustrative purposes only and are not endorsed by AEMO.
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