A network of electric vehicle chargers in central Victoria will make it easier for drivers to travel through the regions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In partnership with state and local government areas, Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance said a network of 20 chargers are being rolled out across 17 sites.
The Charging the Regions initiative will create a first of its kind network to help drive tourism in regional Victorian towns.
READ MORE:
CVGA executive officer Rob Law said the network will alleviate barriers to electric vehicle use.
"One of the barriers is range anxiety," Mr Law said.
"Our research found a gap existed in the Loddon Mallee and nothing was on the horizon in terms of fast chargers, except in Mildura."
An electric vehicle typically takes 30 to 90 minutes to fully charge.
Mr Law said he hopes the initiative, in its second phase, will encourage other councils and the state government to expand the project further.
"At the moment it is not possible to get from Bendigo to Mildura in an electric car, unless you want to stay overnight," he said.
"These new chargers make sure we fill that gap."
Tender process seeks charger suppliers
The CVGA has released an open tender that will close on October 6 for the supply, installation and maintenance of the charging network.
The tender is requesting a mix of 25 kilowatt and 50kW DC chargers across participating councils, including Bendigo.
The location of the Bendigo electric vehicle charger will be clearer once this process is finalised.
The state government has invested $664,000 toward the project, which covers towns such as Maryborough, Echuca and smaller rural towns and tourist sites.
The funding builds on a $3 million investment to setup 30 stations across the state.
Minister for Energy, the Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio said more Victorians will be driving electric vehicles in the future.
"The new electric vehicle charging stations will put this region on the map for electric vehicles," Ms D'Ambrosio said.
Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Beyhard Jafari said the latest round of the project represents a great example of positive economic stimulus.
"More charging stations are part of what is indeed to kick start the electric vehicle revolution in regional Victoria," he said.
"A recent report found that 68% of Australians want governments to provide more public charging infrastructure. This is a great stimulus project that can help us build back better."