WA is set to have Australia's longest electric car charging networks.
The McGowan Government is motoring ahead with it's commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with an almost $21 million investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure just announced.
Hand in hand with WA's first Electric Vehicle Strategy, the Electric Vehicle Fund is the largest single investment of its kind by a State or Territory government in Australia.
This is a key element of the WA Climate Policy which commits to delivering a cleaner, more sustainable environment through the increased uptake of low and zero emission vehicles.
The strategy will enable the creation of Australia's longest, and one of the world's longest, electric vehicle charging infrastructure networks - from Perth to Kununurra in the North, Esperance in the South and Kalgoorlie in the East.
Western Australians and visitors will be able to access fast charging stations along major travel routes in the regions, town and city centres, and tourism sites.
Construction of the network will also create jobs in metropolitan and regional areas.
"Electric vehicles provide a pathway towards decarbonising road transport and improving air quality in Western Australia. The industry also has huge potential to create jobs for Western Australians," Premier Mark McGowan said.
"Western Australia has the skills, infrastructure and standards to become a key player in the global battery value chain.
"The global uptake of electric vehicles is one of the most exciting opportunities for Western Australia to create jobs and support economic growth the economy as part of the low-carbon transition."
The State Government will lead by example by increasing its own fleet of electric vehicles, committing to a target of acquiring at least 25 per cent electric vehicles across eligible vehicles in the State fleet.
To support the State Government's electric vehicle fleet target, electric vehicle charging stations will be installed in government buildings.
The strategy will also facilitate EV uptake by developing and updating standards, guidelines, and requirements for planning approval, as well as improving levels of consumer awareness and knowledge.
Global and domestic uptake of electric vehicles also presents significant opportunities for industry and jobs growth in WA.
In recognition of this, the strategy supports the uptake of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, aligned with the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, as well as the initiatives in the Future Battery Industry Strategy released in 2019.
In 2019, the McGowan Government committed to working with all sectors of the economy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The adoption of electric vehicles powered by increasing levels of renewable energy will be fundamental to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector.
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