An Australian woman who drove an EV across 800 kilometers on her own said she often felt like she was stranded at roadside charging stations that lacked basic amenities, such as mobile coverage and restrooms.
According to Jans, her journey from her home in Queensland to Toronto, New South Wales, highlighted the difficulties that EV drivers face in Australia due to the lack of proper infrastructure.
The experience made her feel like a second-class citizen.
During one point, she was unable to recharge her car due to a lack of internet connectivity at a charging station. This issue delayed her trip by about an hour.
She was able to order an RFID card that would allow her to recharge her car without using her phone, but it wasn’t delivered before she was supposed to leave.
This issue made her rely on her mobile network, which often doesn’t work in remote areas.
Fortunately, her electric vehicle’s long-range battery gave her enough power to reach the nearest station at Naibac, which was located near Taree in NSW. However, it was dark when she arrived.
The nearby town’s shops were closed, and the area felt very unsafe for a woman on her own due to the lack of charging stations.
Since each of the stations was operated by different companies, drivers need to download a software app to use them. Jans didn’t do this before she arrived.
She also noted that many of the stations were located near truck stops and restrooms.
According to her, it can take around 20 minutes to fully recharge an EV, and it’s frustrating to be stuck in a remote area without access to nearby amenities.
Jans advises that solo drivers plan ahead and avoid using a remote charger at night.
The costs at some stations range from 25 cents to 60 cents per kilowatt, and NRMA chargers, which are twice as fast, cost less.
On the other hand, she claimed that her return trip cost her $150, which is less than the price of petrol.
One of the most important factors that electric vehicle owners consider when it comes to using the charging stations is to make sure that all of them are in use.
This practice can help minimize the wasted trip that other drivers might make.
Jans also noted that the members of an EV community can help each other out whenever they have a problem with the equipment.
Ross De Rango of the Electric Vehicle Council noted that government grants for the establishment of charging stations often include the funding for the necessary infrastructure, such as lighting and nearby amenities.
He said that as the industry matures, more stations will eventually have these features.
He also noted that the government and the industry must work together to ensure that the right charging stations are built in a timely manner.
He urged drivers to use online tools such as A Better Route Planner and Plugshare to find the nearest stations.