Electric Vehicles
Queenslanders are getting on board the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. EV uptake has increased by 135% in the 12 months to 30 September 2023.
The pace of change to cleaner transport is accelerating, fast. Queensland is predicted to have as many as 1.6 million EVs on the road by 2035.
Through the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (QEJP) and Queensland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy, we are investing in three key projects to meet the increasing demand for EVs.
Make more EV charging sites available to the public
Many Queenslanders are interested in purchasing EVs to help address climate change. Having easy access to affordable charging stations will assure confidence to purchase an EV.
Queensland Electric Super Highway
Queensland already has a network of public fast-charging stations along the Electric Super Highway.
By the end of 2023, there will be 53 fast-chargers along the 5,386km Super Highway. And by the end of 2024 there will be another 46 fast charging sites across 30 towns through a $10 million commitment to co-fund charging infrastructure under Queensland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy.
This means there will be EV chargers every 150km on Queensland’s major highways (including the Australian Government’s roll out of chargers on major roads, and initiatives under the QEJP).
Government chargers available to the public
We are installing up to 500 EV chargers in government buildings where the community can access them, for example, at hospitals, training centres, museums and convention centres.
With the $30 million investment under the QEJP, we are prioritising the installation of EV charging stations in locations where they will have the greatest use, both by government employees and the public.
How to find and use government EV chargers
More government charging sites will be available each month as the installation program rolls out.
Access Plugshare to find your your local charging stations.
Users are encouraged to vacate the space, after sufficiently charging their vehicle.
Costs of charging at government sites
Visitors to government sites will pay to charge their vehicles based on a low-cost fee structure supported by surplus renewable energy, like solar, when it is available.
Prepare the energy system for charging more EVs
The increasing uptake of EVs in Queensland means we need an energy system that can supply the power to charge them. The system needs to have sufficient energy and be cost-efficient, not just for EV drivers, but for all electricity customers. We need convenient and affordable public charging sites where EV owners can charge their vehicles away from home.
Trialling solutions - EV chargers in public transport commuter carparks
This $12 million public charging program will help us trial ways of efficiently controlling how much power comes in and out of the energy system, so the increase in EVs being charged does not negatively impact electricity supply in the community.
The program will be delivered in two stages:
Stage 1 – We will install low and medium EV chargers at the Eight Mile Plains bus station and the Coomera train station. These park ’n’-ride sites were selected based on:
- location – high-capacity carparks with spare capacity and access to solar power
- EV use – EVs already park at the sites and there are high levels of EV ownership in area
- electrical capacity – enough capacity to support smart EV charging.
Stage 2 – We will work with a range of stakeholders across Queensland to help overcome any technical and commercial barriers to EV charging and enable convenient and cost-effective public charging across the state. We will share our outcomes and lessons learnt with industry to support public and private sector EV charging.
Charging EVs at commuter carparks
Chargers at commuter carparks are designed to charge vehicles during the day while owners catch the bus or train to their destination. EVs can be left to fully charge all day at a park ‘n’ ride site.
Costs of charging at commuter carparks
EV owners will incur costs to charge their EVs at commuter parking trial sites, however we will be trialling innovative rates to keep costs affordable.
Charging EVs at commuter carparks will be a convenient and more sustainable alternative to charging overnight or at peak hours in the evening. The rates for slower charging during the day, when there is ample solar power, will be lower than fast charging.
Transition of government passenger vehicles to EVs
Decarbonising the transport sector will assist with our shift towards zero net emissions in Queensland by 2050.
Decarbonising government vehicles
The Queensland Government’s fleet manager, QFleet, has more than 10,000 vehicles to help deliver critical government services to communities across the state. We are working towards 100% of eligible passenger and SUV fleet vehicles being zero exhaust emission vehicles by 2026.
Transitioning QFleet’s fleet to EVs will result in significant savings on running costs, including fuel and maintenance.
There are currently 1,000 EVs active in the fleet or on order. We are also trialling new technology with a small fleet of hydrogen powered vehicles.
More than 200 EV chargers are available in government buildings, with over 1,000 additional chargers to be installed across state in the next two years. This ensures Queensland’s frontline workforce can readily access EV chargers to deliver required services to Queenslanders.
Second-hand EV market
After QFleet’s EVs have served their purpose in delivering government services, they will be available at auction for the community to purchase. Ex-QFleet vehicles are highly valued in the second-hand market, and popular at vehicle auctions.
Selling QFleet’s EVs at public auction will increase the availability of quality, affordable, second-hand EVs in the market each year.
Charging ahead – together
With almost 30,000 electric vehicles and 3,600 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles now on our roads, we will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure our EV charging landscape is smart and sustainable.
We will share key learnings with the private sector, Charge Point Operators, industry, and fleet and building owners, to assist with EV uptake and the safe installation of chargers, which are integrated efficiently with the grid.
Our trials will inform future government policy and support efficient private investment, enabling continued affordable, clean, secure and reliable power.
Find out more
More information about our EV-related projects will be available online as they progress, including locations of public charging stations and outcomes from the trials.
- Last updated:
- 15 November 2023