The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has granted $15 million to Evie Networks to develop the largest ultra-fast EV charging network on Australian highways, helping to support the first phase of a planned $50.2-million intercity highway charging network.

Forty-two charging sites powered by renewable energy will be installed at service centers connecting Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. Destination charging sites will also be installed in Far North Queensland, Tasmania and Perth. Each site will have the capacity to charge two cars concurrently. Construction recently began on the first site, and Evie Networks aims to have 23 sites operational within the first year.

ARENA committed $6 million to Chargefox’s ultra-fast charging network last year. The network will include 21 charging sites from Adelaide to Brisbane, as well as around Perth and in Tasmania.

Evie Networks CEO Chris Mills said, “We have estimated that Australia needs around 350 sites to cover all the highways that make up Australia’s National Land Transportation Network. While many consumers will charge at home, they will also need plenty of fast chargers in towns, suburbs and cities. There are currently around 6,500 petrol stations. This is just the beginning of the infrastructure build-out.”

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said, “Evie’s fast charging stations across the country will help to increase the supply and adoption of EVs by building the charging infrastructure in key areas along major roads.”

Source: ARENA