8 September 2023

Launch of Burnside EV chargerSouth Australia’s first border-to-border electric vehicle (EV) charging network – RAA Charge – has reached a significant milestone, with more than 50 per cent of the 140 sites now operational.

Today, RAA launched a 200 kW Ultra-rapid charging site located in Burnside, on the back of installing a 200 kW charging site in Mount Barker last week.

RAA Charge now has 71 operational sites, consisting of sixty-eight 7 kW destination charges and three 200 kW Ultra-rapid or 150 kW Rapid charging sites.

There are currently six Rapid and Ultra-rapid charging sites in construction under the RAA Charge network:

Rapid 150kW sites:

  • Foreshore Carpark, Cowell
  • Blackwood Community Centre, Blackwood
  • Klose’s Supermarket, Woodside
  • Riverfront Reserve, Morgan
  • Churchill Centre, Kilburn

Ultra-rapid 200 kW sites:

  • Waikerie Civic Centre, Waikerie

The cost to charge an EV with a driving range of about 480 km at an RAA Charge Rapid or Ultra-rapid site is between $22 to $26, depending on the time of day.

In comparison, it costs more than $50 to fill a similar car with an internal combustion engine and achieve an equivalent driving range.

The RAA Charge network, which is being rolled out with the support of a $12.35 million grant provided by the South Australian government, is expected to be completed in 2024.

Guidelines for designing and installing EV charging sites

In an Australian first, RAA has publicly released its EV Charging Accessible Charging Guidelines – a best practice guide to designing and installing accessible EV charging infrastructure in Australia. The guidelines include installation of the hardware and the space around it.

The results of an accessibility trial conducted by the RAA in 2022 to assist in the design and installation of EV charging stations helped inform the construction of RAA Charge, as well as the development of the guidelines.

Using the EV charging network

To use the network, download the Chargefox app for iOS or Android and follow the prompts.  For more info visit: raa.com.au/charge.

More about the South Australian Government investment in electric vehicles programs

Quotes attributable to Nick Reade, RAA Chief Executive Officer

“RAA Charge will help support the uptake of EVs in SA, as new EV sales this year have already doubled the total new EV sales for all of 2022,” Mr Reade said.

“Since March, the growing network has provided almost 3,000 charging sessions, providing enough power to cover a whopping 230,000 km while abating 12.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

“With the Burnside Civic Centre 200 kw Ultra-rapid charger coming online today, we’re excited to offer EV drivers a place to charge that is both close to the freeway and the city.

“EV drivers will be able to fully charge their vehicle in 10 to 45 minutes, from one of the four charging bays available.”

“As South Australia’s largest member organisation, we are proud to be playing a leading role in ensuring EV charging infrastructure is accessible for all South Australians.”

Quotes attributable to Anne Monceaux, City of Burnside Mayor

“There has never been a better time to consider making the switch to an electric vehicle.

“Council is on a mission to become carbon neutral by 2030 so we are excited to work with RAA to bring this project to life for our community.

“The City of Burnside is proud to collaborate with RAA to provide the first of their ultra-rapid chargers within metro Adelaide, allowing drivers to charge their vehicles faster than ever before.