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RAA has this week officially launched its second ‘super site’ in the roll out of its statewide electric vehicle (EV) charging network; featuring nine EV charging bays located in the heart of the state’s South East, Mount Gambier.
Located at 2 Sturt Street – just down the road from the Mount Gambier’s iconic Cave Garden Sink Hole – the 200kW Charging Hub will provide EV drivers traveling to and through the South East, with Ultra-rapid charging facilities capable of charging an EV in as little as 10 to 40 minutes.
RAA CEO Nick Reade said the Mount Gambier Charging Hub marks the completion of RAA’s two planned super sites in its 140-site network, following the launch of a similar eight-bay Charging Hub in Port Pirie earlier this month.
“As EV ownership continues to grow in SA and across the border, South Australia’s charging infrastructure will need to keep pace, and that’s exactly why we are building these larger sites along key destination routes,” Mr Reade said.
“The South East is already an extremely popular tourist destination for South Aussies and visitors traveling from interstate, and the launch of this super-site will certainly put Mount Gambier on the map for EV drivers.”
Over Easter and the Gather Round period, RAA saw a record number of EV charging sessions powered by the RAA Charge network, resulting in a 48% increase in charging session compared to the fortnightly average.
Around 28% of these charging sessions were performed by drivers from interstate – predominantly from Victoria and New South Wales – which is a significant increase from the usual 15-17%.
Almost 30% of charging sessions in the South East are performed by EV drivers from Victoria.
“We know from data released by the South Australian Tourism Commission, that 95 per cent of domestic overnight visitors traveling to the South East are ‘self-drive’ visitors,” Mr Reade said.
“In building the RAA Charge network, we want to eliminate range anxiety for South Aussies and anyone visiting our great state; but also help drive investment and tourism within our regional towns,” Mr Reade said.
The launch of the Port Pirie and Mount Gambier Charging Hubs this month brings the total number of operational charging sites to 133 out of the planned 140-site network, which is due to be completed later this year.
City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM said, “The public electric vehicle charging station is an important step forward for sustainable living in our area.
“As the largest regional centre in South Australia, Mount Gambier is positioned mid way between Adelaide and Melbourne.
“This facility is located right in the heart of our CBD and enables residents and visitors with electric vehicles to park and charge and explore our civic precinct by foot.”
The ten-plug charging site features a mix of seven CCS2 and one CHAdeMO plug, in addition to two Type 2 charging plugs and one accessible charging bay.
EV drivers can locate their nearest charger, initiate charging and complete payment, by using the Chargefox app.
The RAA Charge network is being rolled out with the support of a $12.35 million grant provided by the Government of South Australia.
To learn more about the network, visit www.raa.com.au/charge.