Rural Reach: Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Outside Urban Australia

Australia's electric vehicle (EV) market is rapidly growing, driven by increasing consumer awareness, government incentives, and a commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

However, as the adoption of EVs accelerates, the charging infrastructure needs to be expanded beyond urban centres.

Adequate EV charging stations in rural and regional areas are essential for Australia to achieve a national electric vehicle network.

This article explores rural Australia's current EV charging infrastructure, the challenges faced, and how companies like Addelec can support this expansion.

The State of EV Charging Stations in Regional Australia

According to the Electric Vehicle Council, there are 812 public DC charging stations across Australia, most concentrated in metropolitan areas. New South Wales boasts the highest number of charging locations, with 229 primarily in Sydney and other major cities.

In contrast, rural Australia, which constitutes vast stretches of the country's geography, is underserved. Queensland has over 151 charging stations, yet only a small percentage are located outside the southeast corner. Similarly, Western Australia’s EV Network has only 26 public charging stations operating across 7,000 kilometres.

State	Fast Charging	Ultrafast Charging	Total
ACT	8	5	12
NSW	164	65	229
NT	6	0	6
QLD	125	26	151
SA	42	43	85
TAS	38	5	43
VIC	160	47	205
WA	40	39	79

Data from Australian Electric Vehicle Industry Recap 2023

Drivers in regional communities often face “range anxiety” or the fear that their vehicle will run out of power before reaching the next charging station.

The limited availability of charging infrastructure in these areas affects the adoption of electric vehicles and contributes to the divide between urban and rural communities in accessing sustainable technology.

Expanding Rural EV Charging Infrastructure

To address the disparities in EV charging infrastructure between urban and rural areas, the Australian government and several state governments have launched several initiatives to increase EV accessibility in regional and rural locations. These programmes include:

National EV Charging Network – Driving the Nation
One of the key initiatives is the $39.3 million funding announced on 26 April 2023 by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. This funding, matched by the NRMA, is dedicated to installing 117 fast EV charging sites along national highways across the country.
The primary focus of this initiative is on rural and regional areas, where the expansion of fast charging infrastructure helps to close existing gaps and address known black spots in Australia’s EV network.
EV Destination Charging Grants
The NSW Government also launched the second round of the Destination Charging Grants in November 2023. This $10 million funding round is a significant step toward enhancing EV confidence among residents and tourists in regional NSW.
The grants encourage small to medium-sized regional tourism businesses and local councils to install at least 1,500 EV charge points, making it easier for EV owners to travel to and within regional areas.
This initiative is significant for promoting tourism in regional NSW while supporting the broader goal of reducing carbon emissions through increased EV adoption.
WA EV Charging Network
In 2023, the WA EV Charging Network began its expansion across the state as part of a $23 million investment to make clean transportation widely accessible. The network aims to reduce the distance between regional charging stations to around 200km, making long-distance travel in EVs more feasible.
The project will ultimately include 98 EV chargers at 49 locations, with stations already operational in 26 locations, including Broome, Albany, and Geraldton. EV drivers can expect the full network to be operational by the end of 2024.
These government initiatives and coordinated efforts through the National Electric Vehicle Action Plan Implementation Group show the commitment to expanding rural and regional charging infrastructure.
This approach includes progressing key actions such as establishing national standards for EV infrastructure, promoting data sharing, and increasing education and awareness about electric vehicles.

The Role of Addelec in EV Charging Expansion in Regional States

Addelec is actively involved in expanding the EV charging infrastructure in Australia, including rural and regional areas. We work with businesses, organisations, and local governments to address the challenges of implementing and maintaining EV charging stations in non-urban regions.

Our involvement in the NRMA’s National Infrastructure Rollout showed our ability to manage and execute complex, large-scale projects. We conducted ASP Level 3 Design, where our in-house team is responsible for the electricity distribution network design.

Design & Engineering

Addelec provides detailed design and engineering services tailored to the unique needs of rural and regional EV charging projects. This includes comprehensive electrical system planning and execution of studies like arc flash analysis, discrimination, and harmonics. These efforts ensure that the infrastructure is both resilient and scalable, aligning with regulatory standards and each site's specific requirements.

Comprehensive Site Assessment and Installation

Installing EV charging stations requires thoroughly understanding the site’s existing electrical systems and infrastructure. Our installation services encompass all phases, from the initial site evaluation and material procurement to the final implementation, ensuring that the charging stations integrate into the existing infrastructure.

Commissioning

To ensure that all electrical systems meet operational specifications, Addelec conducts extensive commissioning and validation processes. This includes thorough testing and adjustments of both primary and secondary equipment. The commissioning phase culminates in detailed reports that confirm system performance, integrity, and compliance with relevant electrical and safety standards.

Maintenance & Services

Ongoing maintenance is critical for the continued reliability of EV charging infrastructure. Addelec provides regular system audits, predictive maintenance, and prompt repair services to minimise the risk of downtime. This approach is particularly important in rural areas, where access to quick repairs and maintenance may be limited.

Future Outlook for Australian EV Charging Station

Australia is undergoing a significant transformation in its transportation infrastructure, with the expansion of EV charging stations playing a central role. As government initiatives continue to support this growth, and with the expertise of companies like Addelec, the disparity between urban and rural EV accessibility is expected to diminish significantly.

In the coming years, the number of EV charging stations in rural and regional Australia will substantially increase. This expansion will alleviate range anxiety for drivers and encourage broader adoption of electric vehicles.