Esperance on the EV map

The first of eight electric vehicle charging stations set to connect the Goldfields-Esperance region to WA’s EV network was launched in Esperance on Thursday.

Located in the Esperance RSL carpark at 84 Dempster Street, Horizon Power’s 150kW fast charger is now live and is the second Horizon Power site, after Exmouth, to be equipped with two DC fast chargers.

The additional charger will allow four EVs, instead of two, to be charged at the same time in as little as 20 minutes.

Energy Minister Bill Johnston travelled to Esperance to join WA Labor Agricultural Region MLA Shelley Payne, Shire of Esperance councillor Connor Davies, Horizon Power board deputy chair Mark Puzey and Horizon Power executive general manager engineering and project delivery Cameron Parrotte to unveil the charger.

Mr Johnston said the launch of the charger brought the total in WA to 18 different locations, making it easier for EV drivers to explore the State.

“The Cook Government is proud to be leading the way for the rest of the country — delivering Australia’s longest EV network and one of the largest in the world,” he said.

When complete, the WA EV Network will have 98 charging stations across 49 locations — covering 7000km.

Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby said the network was providing critical infrastructure to help drive the uptake of electric vehicles.

“This provides an important pathway towards decarbonising road transport and improving air quality in Western Australia,” he said.

“Our investment in the WA EV Network is another example of the strong commitment by this Government to climate change and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.”

The WA EV Network is being delivered by Horizon Power and Synergy and is a crucial part of the State Government’s $43.5 million investment to boost EV infrastructure in WA.

Horizon Power chief executive Stephanie Unwin said electric vehicles were one of the biggest changes to transport in our lifetime.

“Horizon Power has an important role to play in making sure our communities can take advantage of EVs,” she said.

JET Charge chief executive Tim Washington said he was proud his company was a technology partner working with a skilled team of stakeholders to lower the barriers of EV use in regional WA.

“Esperance has long been an important rural hub and best-known secret holiday destination for West Australians, but with recent global media coverage around its pristine squeaky white beaches, biodiversity and laid-back lifestyle, it’s now a draw card for visitors from all over the world,” he said.

“The introduction of rapid DC electric vehicle charging by the State Government of WA, through Horizon Power and supported by the Shire of Esperance, sees a valuable amenity that allows locals and tourists to go further than ever before in EVs across the Goldfields-Esperance region.”

Other WA EV Network chargers are opening soon in Coolgardie, Warmun, Derby, Halls Creek, Norseman and at the Overlander Roadhouse.

To find out which sites are live go to the Horizon Power website.