Feature by Carolyn Beasley
For those considering an electric vehicle (EV) road trip south of Perth (Boorloo), logistics just got a whole lot easier. Fast chargers, separated by less than 200 kilometres, now operate in many southwest towns, making sliding through tall timbers, hopping between glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon, and hugging the coastal curves of this natural wonderland more appealing than ever.
For Rob Dean, chairperson of the Tesla owners club of WA, the WA EV network being installed by the State Government is cause for celebration. Due for completion by the end of 2024, it will cover some 7000 kilometres.
In the southwest, the EV network unlocks access to world-class attractions like Margaret River, for premium wineries and forest trails, Dunsborough, for sheltered beaches and windswept cliff walks, and Pemberton for majestic forests and foodie delights.
Drive through the towering trees of the Collie River Valley on your South West road trip adventure.
Installation of the EV fast chargers in the southwest falls to electricity company Synergy, and Kurt Baker is the deputy CEO. Kurt says the chargers are strategically located in areas that benefit local communities and travellers alike.
“We prefer to see those chargers go within main towns because then the customers can be having coffee or enjoying what the local businesses have to offer within those regions,” Kurt says. “If you're a visitor to WA and you want to hire yourself an EV, you can actually travel all the way through the southwest, and be confident that there's ample charging sites. So that really addresses what they call range anxiety.”
While range anxiety has been an issue for some, for experienced EV drivers like Rob, range anxiety is not a factor.
“I just don't believe in it!” he says. “If you plan your trip, you won't have it. The Synergy network has been in place for almost a year now, and there's just so many more charging options.”
Each of the charging locations on the WA EV network has two fast chargers, known as DC chargers, plus a slower AC charger for backup. Rob notes it is wise to always carry a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable, in case you need to connect to the AC chargers.
Witness the majesty of Boranup Forest in the Margaret River Region on the South West Nature and Wine Drive.
Rob has a few other tips for EV road trips in the southwest, too, suggesting drivers download smartphone Apps like Plugshare and Chargefox, for details of chargers.
“You can see if the charge is being used before you get there, and you can also see the state of the car that's on the charger,” Rob says. “So, for instance, if I'm driving, my wife will look at the App. She'll say there's a car charging and looks like he's going to be there for another five minutes, so it won't be a problem,” Rob explains. “People also put on where you can get food, drinks, and where the toilets are.”
Rob says there is a misconception around how long it takes to charge an EV.
“You basically plug in your car because you're getting a coffee,” he says. “Most petrol and diesel drivers do that anyway, they stop and have a stretch, get some food, have a chat. In that 15 minutes, you've got enough charge to get to another 200 kilometres, easily.”
Follow scenic coastal paths on a road trip adventure through the Margaret River Region.
Making charging even easier, many accommodation providers in the southwest are supplying AC chargers for their customers as an overnight option.
With so many charging options, all of the diverse offerings of the southwest are on offer for EV drivers to explore. With no engine noise, drivers may hear the pounding of the mighty surf breaks and the screeching of parrots that flash through national parks, secure in the knowledge they are travelling emission-free.
As someone who has travelled the area extensively, Rob highly recommends the road trip to the sleepy south coast.
“The drive between Manjimup and Albany is just so good,” he says. “It’s the big trees, especially around Karri Valley. And Albany is a bit underrated,” Rob says. “If you like all the National Anzac Centre stuff, it's really good down there.”
As a final tip, Rob suggests new EV drivers in the southwest should remember their ABCs, and meaning is pretty ambiguous.
“The first meaning is: Always Bring Cables,” Rob says, referring to the cable for AC chargers. “The second is: Always Be Charging, and the third one is: Always Browse Comments, on the Apps,” Rob says.
And for those that would like to go the extra EV mile, there’s one more.
“Always Buy Cake, because instead of us spending all our money buying fuel from overseas, we could be spending that money in southwest communities.”
Cap off your road trip or recharge for the following day's adventures at Injidup Natural Spa in the Margaret River Region.
Published September 2024