The NRMA has activated the Central Western touring route to electric vehicle motorists with the opening today of an EV fast charging station in Orange.
The fast charger will allow most EV motorists to charge their cars to an 80% level in about 30 minutes. Standard public EV chargers take between three and six hours, and traditional power outlets can take more than 12 hours.
The station has been installed next to the Civic Centre car park, between the Orange Regional Museum and the Civic Theatre, drawing motorists into the centre of town and allowing them to use local amenities while charging. It also enables connections to chargers at Parkes and Dubbo.
The Orange charging station is the 16th of the NRMA’s electric vehicle fast charging stations to open to the public across the state, following Sydney Olympic Park, Wallsend near Newcastle, Jindabyne, Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley, Mittagong in the Southern Highlands, Narrandera, Berry, Young, West Wyalong, Bathurst, Parkes, Dubbo, Nabiac, Tamworth, and Batemans Bay.
The NRMA has committed $10 million to build one of Australia’s largest fast charging networks across NSW and the ACT.
NRMA Executive General Manager Motoring Nell Payne said the Orange charger would further enhance motoring infrastructure offerings in the region.
“The NRMA wants to attract the next generation of motorists into the Central Western region, and by opening this charger today we are able to do that,” Ms Payne said.
“We know one of the key reasons electric vehicle uptake has been relatively slow in Australia, and in regional areas particularly, is because people are worried there isn’t any charging infrastructure available along their journeys.
“That’s why the NRMA is a part of the solution to that perceived ‘range anxiety’ – our network of fast chargers will allow EV motorists to tour to towns like Orange, Parkes, and Dubbo and know that they will have all the amenities and services they need to stop, charge their car, enjoy the town, and safely continue on their journey.”
“Our aim is that 95 per cent of EV journeys are within 150 kilometres of one of our charging stations,” Ms Payne said.
The NRMA has paid for the new facility and the charging station will be free to use for the foreseeable future.
CHARGER : The car park between the Civic Theatre and the regional museum is the location of the new charger.
Orange City Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee Chair, Councillor Stephen Nugent, is pleased the new charger is in a convenient, high-profile location.
“The charging station is in a parking area directly between the Orange Civic Theatre and the Regional Museum. That’s going to be an ideal setting for both visitors and residents,” Mr Nugent said.
“I’m delighted the council is working in partnership with the NRMA to show the way forward when it comes to driving.”
