Imagine hitting the road in your shiny new electric vehicle, excited to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Queensland, only to hit a frustrating roadblock that turns your adventure into a logistical nightmare. That's the stark reality for many EV enthusiasts navigating the state's inland highways—gaps in charging infrastructure are leaving drivers high and dry. But here's where it gets controversial: is this a simple oversight by policymakers, or a deliberate choice that undervalues the potential of electric travel in rural Australia?
Take Jacki Whittaker, for instance. Two years ago, she traded in her traditional car for an electric SUV, thinking she'd conquered the common fear known as 'range anxiety'—that nagging worry about running out of battery power before reaching a charging spot. Fueled by skyrocketing petrol prices and dwindling returns from their home solar panels, her family made the switch to go greener. A road trip through central western Queensland, including stops at iconic sites like the Longreach Stockman's Hall of Fame, showed promise with ample charging stations dotting the route.
"We drove through Longreach, Winton, Hughenden, and Richmond without a hitch," Ms. Whittaker shared. It seemed like the perfect testament to how far EV infrastructure had come.
Yet, the true test came when she rented a petrol-powered car to travel to a funeral in Clermont, a three-hour journey from her Mackay home. That's when the cracks in the system became glaringly apparent. The Peak Downs Highway, a vital artery connecting the coast to the coalfields, lacks any specialized, high-capacity electric vehicle charging stations. For newcomers to EVs, think of these as super-fast refueling spots that can juice up your car in under an hour, unlike slower home chargers that might take overnight.
Ms. Whittaker sees this as a squandered chance to boost the region's drive-tourism industry. "Part of why we ventured west was to discover Queensland's stunning beauty—you could truly embrace it if the Peak Downs Highway had proper EV support," she explained. And this is the part most people miss: without these chargers, potential visitors might skip the area altogether, hurting local economies reliant on tourism.
Despite the Queensland government deploying EV charging stations across central, western, and north-west areas, certain routes like the Peak Downs Highway and segments of the Leichhardt Highway north of Miles in the Western Downs have been overlooked in public funding allocations. This highway is a bustling lifeline linking the Bowen Basin's coal regions to the coast, where diesel trucks and heavy machinery dominate the traffic.
In their response, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads explained that both the Electric Super Highway Program and a partnered initiative aimed at attracting private investments have reached full capacity, with no extra funds available. The Isaac Regional Council, overseeing much of the Peak Downs route, only boasts two registered EV chargers in the seaside town of Clairview along the Bruce Highway. Since 2020, they haven't seen a single proposal for a privately operated charger.
While apps like PlugShare list charging options in tiny towns such as Clermont, these are often basic setups, not the robust, high-powered stations needed for long-distance travel. For beginners, high-capacity chargers are crucial because they deliver faster electricity, allowing you to charge and go—much like a quick pit stop at a petrol station.
Alina Dini, head of energy, infrastructure, and commercial at the Electric Vehicle Council, stresses the growing need for commercial chargers in outback areas. "The viability of public charging hinges on usage rates and the broader rollout strategy," she noted. She also highlighted a recent $40 million federal boost announced in September to enhance the network. The federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water stated they're collaborating with state and territorial authorities to pinpoint the best places to direct this money.
Now, let's dive into a potentially divisive angle: some argue that rural installations are "too hard" due to logistics, but is that just an excuse to avoid prioritizing EVs in less populated zones? Dylan Jones, who runs a roadhouse on the Leichhardt Highway about an hour south of Rockhampton, has firsthand experience. His spot attracts EV travelers, but he can only serve them food—no charging. After pouring his heart into the business for four and a half years, facing challenges like water shortages and a storm that tore off the roof, he's dealt with inquiries from visitors from Brisbane and nearby towns asking about high-voltage chargers.
"We don't have access to major power grids, so sustaining the energy for charging isn't feasible," he said. The northern stretch of the Leichhardt Highway isn't part of Queensland's Electric Super Highway program. Mr. Jones dismissed going it alone as unaffordable for his small family operation. "It would've meant significant upfront costs without guaranteed returns," he added. And here's where it gets controversial: critics might say this reflects a bias against rural businesses, leaving them behind in the EV transition while urban areas thrive. But supporters of the current approach argue that market forces should dictate where chargers appear, not government mandates.
Still, Ms. Dini points out that as EV ownership rises, even smaller towns could economically justify chargers. "Australia now has widespread coverage with fast-charging options," she said. "There might be a few spots with thinner networks, but the upside is that modern EVs typically offer 400 to 600 kilometers of range. That means drivers will naturally plan stops to recharge along the way—much like traditional road trips where you'd pause for fuel or a break."
In wrapping this up, it's clear that while progress is being made, the uneven rollout raises questions about equity: Should remote highways be left in the dark to prioritize densely populated areas? Or does this highlight a need for better incentives for private investment in underserved regions? What do you think—should governments force charger installations in rural spots, even if they're not immediately profitable, or let the market decide? Share your views in the comments; let's discuss whether this is a missed opportunity or a necessary reality in the shift to electric mobility.
