The Royal Automobile Club of WA has recently announced that the RAC Electric Highway is coming to an end.
Dubbed the first project of its kind in Australia, it began as a trial and expanded to include 16 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, spanning from Monkey Mia to Esperance.
RAC Group Executive of Social and Community Impact, Terry Durant, said the project helped boost EV growth in the state.
“RAC launched the Electric Highway as a platform to open WA up to new transport options and help eliminate the issue of range anxiety among EV owners – we also wanted to demonstrate the demand and kickstart broader investment,” Ms Durant said.
She said the Highway has done its job and helped pave the way for a better future for EV drivers.
“The RAC Electric Highway has achieved what it set out to, and we are incredibly proud to have operated this successful demonstration project for the past decade.
“In recent years, we’ve seen EV ownership growing alongside increased investment from governments, including via the WA Government’s Electric Vehicle Strategy.
“When the RAC Electric Highway first launched, there were less than 80 electric vehicles on WA roads. There are now more than 25,000, with access to more than 150 charging stations across the state.”
Planning for the Future
The project was made possible with the help of eight local councils in WA’s South West. RAC is now working with these councils to plan the future of charging stations in their areas.
“We thank our local government partners for their support over many years. Together we have played an important role in setting the stage for the growth of EVs in Western Australia,” Ms Durant said.
“RAC will continue to strongly engage in this important policy space and advocate for governments to prioritise charging infrastructure and other improvements to accelerate the move toward low-emission vehicles.”
Not all RAC charging stations are closing. Chargers at the RAC West Perth office, RAC parks and resorts, and RAC Auto Service Centres will stay open and remain part of RAC’s services.
For more information about changes to EV charging stations, visit the RAC website.
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