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A Lack of Public Charging and Off-Street Parking: The Impact on Electric Vehicle Drivers

Nov 19, 2024 at 2:08 AM

Inner-city suburbs often face challenges when it comes to electric vehicle (EV) charging. The absence of public charging and off-street parking has led many EV drivers to resort to "dangerous" solutions, causing tensions in Aussie neighbourhoods. However, a recent development in Sydney offers some hope. On Tuesday, 39 new pole-mounted kerbside EV chargers were switched on in the inner west. With 30 per cent of the area lacking off-street parking, these chargers couldn't have come at a better time.

Solving the EV Charging Dilemma in Inner-City Suburbs

Inner-City Suburbs and the EV Charging Crisis

A lack of public charging and off-street parking in inner-city suburbs has been a significant obstacle for EV drivers. As a result, they have been forced to take risks and use makeshift charging solutions. This not only poses a safety hazard but also acts as a barrier for prospective EV buyers. In areas like Annandale, where many homes lack off-street parking, the need for on-street charging is crucial.

Residents have been seen running cables along footpaths to charge their cars, which is an obvious safety concern. The incident in Manly last week, where a resident threaded their cable through a storm pipe to avoid a trip hazard, highlights the urgency of finding a proper solution.

The Rollout of Pole-Mounted Kerbside EV Chargers

The partnership between AGL and PLUS ES has led to the installation of 39 new pole-mounted kerbside EV chargers in various suburbs of Sydney, including Stanmore and Balmain. These chargers will be free to use until the end of January, providing immediate relief to EV drivers.

The pricing from then onwards will be a "competitive low cost rate" that will be announced soon. This is part of a wider NSW state government project to expand the network by 149 chargers across the state. There are already pole EV chargers in operation in the state, such as the 19 in the Sydney City Council area run by a partnership between Ausgrid and EVX.

The Safety Concerns and Innovative Solutions

The lack of proper charging infrastructure has not only caused charging issues for EV drivers but has also led to makeshift solutions that pose a big safety concern. Rob Amphlett Lewis from PLUS ES emphasizes the importance of finding a safe way to charge EVs.

Customers have been coming up with innovative ways to make charging safer, such as using cable protectors. While these individual efforts are commendable, a macro-level solution is needed to address the issue. As we transition into a world where electric vehicles are likely to be the preferred choice, the need for adequate charging infrastructure becomes even more urgent.