Feature by Carolyn Beasley
Now imagine this journey in silence, and free of emissions. This dream is now a reality, on a Coral Coast road trip in a fully electric vehicle (EV).
One of the best things about the drive between Perth (Boorloo) and Exmouth is the way it feels. The sense of wide-open space, of being immersed in nature, landscapes and sky. While those vast horizons have not changed, for EV users, remote no longer means ‘range anxiety.’ Charging stations now beckon drivers up the Coral Coast Highway, paving the way to Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu).
On a recent holiday in Western Australia, Victorian resident and EV enthusiast Charlotte Twigg decided to go electric. Collaborating with vehicle hire company SIXT, Charlotte collected a Tesla Model Y with standard range from Perth to make the journey north.
Like most visitors, Charlotte was stunned by the natural wonders of this epic road trip.
“We did the whaleshark swim, which was the experience of a lifetime, something we’d always wanted to do,” Charlotte says. “We also loved Coral Bay, we did a marine safari with Coral Bay Ecotours and got to swim with the manta rays. We loved Kalbarri, and Jurien Bay where we swam with the sealions. Just being in those remote landscapes just blew us away.”
Manta Rays, Ningaloo Marine Park
Before leaving the Perth suburbs behind, Charlotte had done her planning, and suggests all EV drivers spend some time mapping their journey, including where they intend to charge. Many chargers are located in convenient overnight stop locations, and for those longer days, plan to have a lunch stop and stretch the legs while your EV powers up.
“Google Maps now is very good,” Charlotte explains. “If you put in your destination, you can select EV charging and it will show the options along your route.”
While this is a good starting point, Charlotte suggests that users should also download the App called PlugShare. This App is a free reference updated by EV users with handy details on the operational status, speed of charging, plug types and cost of charging stops.
Most charging points are operated by Chargefox, and Charlotte notes that with her car rental agreement, Chargefox charging was included for free. Chargefox also has an App, providing real-time information on whether the chargers are currently occupied or vacant, costs, and even online payment options.
Starfish Retreat Kalbarri. Credit @Eco.voyagers
Despite all of the information, there’s no denying, WA is a vast state. For those still suffering from range anxiety, Charlotte has a couple of helpful tips.
“Definitely make sure that you have two charging adaptors in your boot,” she says. “One is the universal mobile connector (UMC), that’s the one that you can plug into any wall socket. That’s critical in remote areas, because then you can always charge up at your accommodation overnight, even without a dedicated EV charger.”
Charlotte says drivers should also check they have a type two to type two charger, in case they are charging at the WA EV Network backup AC chargers.
“fast chargers, always have their cable integrated” she says. “But most of the time, slower chargers won’t so you will have to bring your own cable.”
A final piece of advice from Charlotte on avoiding range concerns, is to take notice of how you are driving.
“If you’re ever in a tricky spot, drive under the speed limit by about 20 kilometres per hour and you’ll get a bit of range back.”
Pinnacles, Nambung National Park. Credit @Eco.voyagers
The roll out of WA EV Network has been supported by the WA Government through Synergy and Horizon Power and is due for completion by the end of 2024, giving drivers access to 98 EV charging stations across 49 locations. These will include some of the state’s most remote towns, giving even more options for driving the electric dream.
Note: Charlotte Twigg is a sustainability manager for TransUrban, Victoria. Instagram: @Eco.Voyagers
Published June 2024.