The Blue Mountains will be included in the first rollout of fast-charging stations for electric and hybrid cars announced by the NRMA today [Friday, October 20].
The road user group will invest $10 million to deliver at least 40 chargers, more than double the size of the current network of chargers in NSW and the ACT.
While a fast charging station is already in operation at the NRMA’s headquarters at Sydney Olympic Park, others will be rolled out in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the ACT, the Illawarra, Mid-North Coast and Newcastle.
NRMA Chairman Kyle Loades said the strong financial performance in 2016-17 had created the opportunity for the business to invest in an initiative to benefit the community and NRMA Members.
“Just as the NRMA was there to help Australia navigate the rise of the automobile 97 years ago, we will be here to help future generations navigate this new era of electric vehicles,” Mr Loades said.
“There has been under-investment in the electric vehicle market in Australia, so the NRMA is stepping in to develop a network to support the adoption and rollout of electric vehicles in Australia.”
The announcement follows the NRMA’s release of a new report, The Future is Electric, which highlights the move towards electric vehicles globally. The report found that while electric vehicles have been more expensive than conventional vehicles, this is quickly changing, particularly with the mass production of more efficient batteries.
The NRMA is calling for potential partners such as local councils and community groups to express their interest in working with the NRMA to bring a charger to their local area. Visit www.mynrma.com.au/future-is-electric to find out more about the network and register interest as a potential partner.