World’s longest electric vehicle super highway revs up

The future of motoring in Queensland has been officially launched in Cairns. Energy Minister Mark Bailey unveiled the first of many fast-charging electric vehicle stations which will be rolled out at various locations right up the Queensland coast from the Gold Coast to the Far North to form the State’s Electric Super Highway.

Mr Bailey, who has just driven from Brisbane to Cairns to spruik the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to roads infrastructure in the regions, will announce the first fast-charging station at The Esplanade in Cairns for what will be the world’s longest electric vehicle superhighway in one State.

“This fast-charging station is the first of many proposed throughout the state which will be announced by the Palaszczuk Government in coming months, making it possible to drive an electric vehicle from the state’s southern border to the Far North,” Mr Bailey said.

“We are a forward thinking government, and we know the future is electric. This project is ambitious, but our vision is to facilitate increased uptake of electric vehicles in Queensland, getting as many people as possible on board the electric vehicle revolution, as part of our transition to a low emissions future.

“That’s why fast-charging stations will also be available for use at no cost for the initial phase of the super highway.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said this was an electrifying day for the Far North.

“What makes this even more exciting is the fact that the energy supplied in this fast-charging station and others to follow will be green energy purchased through green energy credits or offsets” he said.

“EVs can provide not only a reduced fuel cost for Queenslanders, but an environmentally-friendly transport option, particularly when charged from renewable energy.

“The Queensland Electric Super Highway has the potential to revolutionise the way we will travel around Queensland into the future.”

Mr Bailey said electric vehicle ownership rates around the world are increasing, largely due to significant advances in battery technology and continued cost reductions in EVs.

“The most recent Queensland Household Energy Survey showed that 50 per cent of Queenslanders will consider an electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid or regenerative breaking hybrid, when purchasing a new car in the next two years,” Mr Bailey said.

“The survey showed that people considering an EV fall within two groups – those motivated by the value and cost effectiveness of EVs, and those motivated by the environment,”

“And 64 per cent of respondents said improvements to public fast-charging infrastructure would further tempt them into purchasing an EV.”

Mr Bailey said the Queensland Electric Super Highway was being developed through a collaboration between Energy Queensland and several State Government Departments and local councils.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to a renewable energy future and we recognise the importance of working closely with stakeholders, in particular local governments and private landowners, to enable projects such as the Queensland Electric Super Highway to become reality,” he said.