Reliable public charging essential for EV adoption

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“It is now well understood from experience around the world that confidence in reliable, and convenient public charging infrastructure is a prerequisite for people to consider switching to an EV,”AEVA National President Dr Chris Jones said.

AEVA is calling for a well-planned, reliable network of public charging infrastructure which enables EV drivers to charge conveniently and safely, adding that if governments provide financial assistance to install charging infrastructure, reliability and up-time must be mandated.

“Our members are not concerned with range anxiety, instead they have what’s best described as ‘charger anxiety’ – the feeling of dread when the charger you were relying on shows ‘out of order’. This is exacerbated during peak holiday times and long weekends. Australian motorists expect a high level of service, whether it’s a council car park or a roadhouse on the Nullarbor,” Jones said.

AEVA also stresses the importance of rolling out charging infrastructure most appropriate for the location and situation. With markedly different costs and usage patterns, some installations represent poor value for money when done badly.

“Ultra rapid DC chargers really belong on busy routes between cities, so drivers can be on their way in 20 minutes. Slower AC chargers are best suited to workplaces, or wherever the vehicle is parked for hours on end,” Jones said. “Workplace charging through the day should be widely supported, as this utilises very low cost renewable energy, and reduced demand on the grid at night.”