RACQ helps fund 11,600 charges sparking EV drive tourism

RACQ was proud to partner with Yurika and sponsor 31 EV fast charging sites across Queensland, which form the Queensland Electric Vehicle Superhighway (QESH), the world’s longest EV highway to run through a single State.

RACQ Head of Public Policy Rebecca Michael said already the chargers had delivered 11,656 unique sessions since March last year, with an average charge time of less than 34 minutes.

“Drive tourism is experiencing a renaissance and EV journeys are no exception,” Dr Michael said.

“It’s great to see the chargers in some of Queensland’s top tourism areas are being well-utilised, especially in Cairns, Maryborough, Cooroy and in Brisbane at the Hamilton Foreshore.

“With low-cost charges of around $3 per session visitors can now put their time to good use and enjoy the local sights in the regions and support those tourism economies.”

Dr Michael said with the entire network now online drivers could feel confident they would be able to travel across much of Queensland.

“From the border to far north, and from Brisbane to Toowoomba, these chargers give EV drivers the confidence they need to get to where they want to go across our State,” she said.

“Range anxiety can be a real concern for EV drivers, but with the availability along this expansive network, accessibility is no longer an issue and will hopefully give other drivers confidence to make the switch to a lower emissions vehicle.

"We know EVs not only reduce fuel costs for motorists but are also more environmentally-friendly particularly when charged from renewable energy like the QESH for around 20 cents per kilowatt hour.

“EV technology is only going to continue to grow in popularity, and having appropriate infrastructure is vital.”