Queensland announces 2,000km electric highway

A 2,000 kilometre electric vehicle (EV) superhighway has been announced in Queensland, Australia. The route, which will offer 18 free charging stations to all EV users within six months, will […]

A 2,000 kilometre electric vehicle (EV) superhighway has been announced in Queensland, Australia.

The route, which will offer 18 free charging stations to all EV users within six months, will stretch from Cairns to Coolangatta and west to Toowoomba.

It will recharge the average electric car within half an hour and will be completely free for at least the first year of operation.

The plan aims to increase the number of EVs in the state from 700 – a recent survey suggests around half of the region’s citizens would consider buying an EV within the next two years.

Queensland is Australia’s biggest carbon polluter, with much of this coming from the transport sector.

This will be reduced thanks to the charging points being powered with renewable energy bought using carbon credits and other green offsets.

Environment Minister and Acting Main Roads Minister Steven Miles said: “This project is ambitious but we want as many people as possible on board the electric vehicle revolution, as part of our transition to a low emissions future.

“EVs can provide not only a reduced fuel cost for Queenslanders but an environmentally friendly transport option, particularly when charged from renewable energy. The future truly is electric.”

Tesla has announced plans to install what it claims will be the world’s largest battery in South Australia.

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