Published on 29 August 2019
Charge up in McLaren Vale
Drivers of electric vehicles have a new spot to power up their motors in Adelaide’s south.
Three electric vehicle charging stations have been installed in the carpark of the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre.
The chargers are currently free to use and include two e-station Circontrol type 1 charging stations — compatible with all cars (type 2 cars will require an adaptor) — and one Tesla type 2 station for Tesla vehicles.
To use the chargers, users need to download the NextCharge app to their mobile phone, register as a customer, then plug the car in and power up. Charging times will depend on the battery and the car. Users can also find other charging stations around the Australia using the app.
The initiative comes as a number of major vehicle manufacturers announce that they have plans to offer electric versions of most vehicles. Within the next 18 months, nine new plugin hybrid and battery electric vehicle models are expected to be introduced into the Australian market¹. Demand is also increasing with electric vehicles sales in Australia increasing by 67 per cent from 2016 to 2017 ².
McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre Manager, David Mayne, said the new charging stations cater for the growing number of visitors with electric vehicles and they are an extra incentive to stop and explore the local area.
“The McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre is a convenient location for the charging stations – people can visit the centre, talk to our local specialists and plan their stay, tour the centre’s ‘green’ features, browse the gallery, and have a coffee and something to eat, all while their car is charging.” David says.
The visitor information centre is the council’s southern green hub, an environmentally friendly building, which demonstrates ways to reduce energy, water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
“The electric car charging stations fit perfectly with our efforts to reducing our carbon footprint at the centre, and it’s a great opportunity for people to pick up a green hub trail map from the centre and be inspired by the environmentally-friendly changes they can make in their home,” David says.
McLaren Vale was also selected as it forms part of the Fleurieu Electric Highway. Electric car charging stations have been installed in the Adelaide Hills, Victor Harbor, Alexandrina, Yankalilla, and Kangaroo Island council areas, enabling people to travel through these popular visitor regions.
The two type 1 charging stations were jointly funded through Regional Development Australia, the Government of South Australia and the City of Onkaparinga and the Tesla charger was fully funded by Tesla as part of a nation-wide scheme.