The outback will become more attractive to electric vehicle (EV) owners with more fast-charging stations to be installed across western Queensland as a part of the Queensland Electric Super Highway (QESH) expansion.

The State Government has announced funding for six new charging stations which will join 18 already planned for western locations.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project would deliver on her government's commitment to reduce emissions.

“We’ve already built an electric vehicle superhighway of 31 charging stations from Coolangatta to Port Douglas and Brisbane to Toowoomba,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Now we’re extending that out west building 24 new fast-charging stations in western Queensland as part of our commitment to reducing transport emissions and improving connectivity for electric vehicle road users.

"Phase 3 had already been allocated $2.75 million to build 18 sites at Charters Towers, Hughenden, Julia Creek, Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Emerald, Dingo, Charleville, Roma, Miles, Kingaroy and Esk.

"I am pleased to announce today an additional $1.08 million has been secured to deliver six more charging stations at Richmond, Kynuna, Injune, Rolleston, St George and Cunnamulla.”

The original 31 charging stations were built by the Government in partnership with RACQ and energy company Yurika.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the QESH would make the outback more attractive to EV owners with chargers available on routes from Mount Isa in the north-west to Goondiwindi in the south.

“This provides a regional connector between rural and city areas to create more tourism and economic development opportunities,” he said.

“As more and more people take up EVs we know the issue of range anxiety has been raised, which is why we will continue to supercharge our highways to make sure people have the confidence to take those longer trips into regional Queensland.

Map of fast-charging stations on the Queensland Electric Super Highway. New sites are in green with arrows pointing to the six addtional chargers.

“As an EV driver I know how important the spacing, ease of access and speed of charging can be when you’re on a road trip so I’m proud to deliver better charging infrastructure for everyone who needs it.

"The Palaszczuk Government will continue to work with delivery partner Yurika and local councils across the state to determine the most appropriate location for the new Phase 3 sites and obtain the necessary development approvals."

Mr Bailey said between 2018 and 30 April 2022 more than 55,000 QESH charging sessions were logged.

"This is the equivalent of removing 391 petrol or diesel vehicles from Queensland roads,” he said.

“Over the past few years, the number of EVs has skyrocketed from as low as 700 to nearly 9,000, and I want to see this number continue to rise.”  

Phase 3 works are expected to start from mid-2022 with all 24 sites becoming progressively operational by mid-2023.

Once complete, the QESH will consist of 55 fast-charging sites.

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