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Oct 24, 2023

First "border

South Australia’s first “border-to-border” electric vehicle charging network is

South Australia's first "border-to-border" electric vehicle charging network is starting to open up, with the first 12 of 140 new stations launched this week – built by Chargefox.

Chargefox says the 12 sites, developed for the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia in partnership with the state government, add 59 new plug-in points for EV drivers, with hundreds more to follow in the coming months.

The RAA Charge network will be made up of 86 AC fast charging stations (capable of up to 7kW output), and 54 DC Rapid (up to 150kW) and Ultra-Rapid (up to 200kW) charging stations in metropolitan, regional and rural locations.

The first sites include Marion, West Lakes, Strathalbyn, Hahndorf, Woodside, Mount Gambier and five Adelaide CBD UParks.

In a post on LinkedIn, RAA says that once completed, the network will span Bordertown to the Border Village and from Mount Gambier up to Marla.

To use the RAA Charge network, EV drivers must download the Chargefox app to locate the closest site, where they can charge their vehicle and pay.

Construction of all 140 charging sites is expected to be completed by the end of next year, with all powered by renewable energy.

"At a time when petrol prices are stubbornly high, South Australia has abundant renewable energy, particularly in the middle of the day," said SA Premier Peter Malinauskas on Thursday at the launch of the charging station at the Marion Holiday Park.

"Electric vehicles will play a crucial role in storing that energy and using it productively.

"By helping fund this broad scale charging network and abolishing the Liberals’ ill-thought-out tax of electric vehicles, we’ll ensure we continue to lead the nation," the premier said.

In its own statement on LinkedIn, RAA claims to be rolling out the first border-to-border electric vehicle charging network in South Australia, reducing range anxiety and carbon emissions in the state.

"For now, we’re proud to see this first wave of chargers plugged in and electrifying the drive for South Australians and visitors to our state, and can't wait to see them in use," it says.

AMS – which now owns Chargefox – says Chargefox's EV charging network is already the largest in Australia, with more than 1200 plugs on the public network, with plans to grow that to 5000, including 2000 fast chargers, by 2025.

"This rollout in South Australia will help to increase the take-up of electric vehicles in the state and also eliminate range anxiety and support tourism," says AMS Group CEO Michael Reed.

"Our commitment is to clean energy. All our ultra-rapid stations are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, and our goal is to have the entire network run on 100 per cent renewable energy."

Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.