(IMAGE: Minister MacTiernan, Premier McGowan, Minister Kelly and Minister Dawson test out an electric vehicle charging station.)

Western Australia will soon be home to the longest electric highway in Australia with the McGowan Government today announcing the 45 locations that will make up the electric vehicle fast charging network.

The details of the announcement includes:

• Up to 90 new electric vehicle fast charging stations for Western Australia
• At 45 locations along key travel routes averaging less than 200 kilometres apart
• Part of the McGowan Government's $21 million Electric Vehicle Fund
• McGowan Government launches Electric Vehicle Action Plan

The infrastructure network includes up to 90 fast charging stations and back-up chargers at 45 different locations connecting Perth and regional Western Australia - stretching north to Kununurra, south to Esperance and east to Kalgoorlie.

Electric vehicle owners will easily be able to travel the State along these routes, with the average distance between charging stations around 160 kilometres.

Most electric cars can run for at least 400 kilometres in one charge and it is expected the technology will continue to improve over the next few years.

One of the most popular WA models can run for 550km in one charge.

The network will allow electric vehicles to be charged in as little as 15 minutes and locations have been chosen to encourage tourists to spend this time exploring a local regional town.

A tender for the charging stations' design is expected to go out to market by the end of 2021, with the network expected to be fully operational by early 2024.

The locations of the stations have been determined by energy providers Synergy and Horizon Power in consultation with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

This announcement is part of the McGowan Government's $21 million Electric Vehicle Fund and the State Electric Vehicle Strategy for Western Australia.

The McGowan Government has today also launched the Electric Vehicle Action Plan, which provides a set of actions to prepare WA for a rapid uptake of electric vehicles and a new brochure for fleet managers.   

These actions will make the electricity system more resilient and will support the continued uptake of rooftop solar.

To view the Electric Vehicle Action Plan, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/electric-vehicle-action-plan-preparing-was-electricity-system-evs

Caitlin Collins, MLA for Hillarys, said the announcement was all about increasing confidence in investment for electric vehicles and reducing ‘range anxiety’ for owners.

“Boosting uptake of electric vehicles will be an important part of getting to net zero emissions by 2050.”

“The McGowan State Labor Government is proud to proactively plan and invest in a future where electric vehicles are the norm on our state roads.”