Electric cars to drive tourism

TASMANIA is in a unique position to promote itself as an electric-vehicle tourism destination but fast-charge points every 100km are needed to tap into the growing market, a RACT executive says.

Darren Moody, RACT general manager member assist, took an electric Tesla vehicle on a “lap” of Tasmania in October last year.

He learnt two things: the state needs more charge points, and the driving range of electric vehicles can be deceptive. He said the range was affected by cold temperatures, and “range anxiety” was real.

Speaking at the Australian Electrical Vehicle Association conference in Devonport yesterday, Mr Moody said he welcomed the State Government’s announcement this week that it would invest $250,000 to conduct a study to steer the rollout of more charging stations across Tasmania.

Labor says it has already promised $7.5 million to improve the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure.

The conference heard many private businesses were taking it on themselves to provide electric-vehicle charge points.

RACT’s Strahan Village has a charge point, as do some vineyards, cafes and hotels.

Across the state there are 70 such points, the conference was told. But Mr Moody said charge points were needed every 100-150km to give the state a feasible “electric highway”.

“There has been little or no promotion of electric-vehicle tourism by either the Government or the private sector,” Mr Moody said.

He labelled the Government’s policy stance on the issue “immature”.

“I congratulate the Government for at least talking about it now and thinking about putting Tasmania on the electricvehicle map.”

Mr Moody said numerous charge points were needed if electric-vehicle tourists were to be lured away from the major population centres.

“We are an island with relatively short driving distances and are uniquely positioned to take advantage of this new tourism sector,” he said.

The vehicle in which Mr Moody sat yesterday to talk to the media cost $140,000.

He said there would not be a major take-up of the vehicles until affordability and range technology improved.