Charging initiative flatlines

A TESLA electric car owner is furious that he cannot charge his $300,000 vehicle at a fastcharging unit in Cairns without an adaptor.

Businessman Otto Pfeiffer said the State Government had spruiked loudly about the “world’s largest network” for an electric vehicle super highway from Cairns to the southern border.

“(But) I can’t plug my Tesla in,” he said. “They can’t cater for Tesla, the largest seller of electric cars in the world. It’s a joke.

“Why should Tesla have to provide an adaptor when other car companies don’t?

“Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 owners can just drive up and plug their cars in, but I can’t.”

Mr Pfeiffer said the government should include Tesla adaptors at all 18 fast charger stations being rolled out.

“They only cost $700 each. That makes far more sense.”

Mr Pfeiffer, who owns three Teslas, said it took him five days to drive his latest, the Model X, from the Gold Coast to Cairns as he had to stop to plug into Tesla chargers at specific locations. It takes six to seven hours or overnight to fully charge yet the fast charger takes only 20 minutes.

Mr Pfeiffer said the X SUV was the only one in Cairns, currently on display at the Mater prize home at Canopy’s Edge.

Energy Minister Mark Bailey’s spokeswoman said some electric car owners had to use an adaptor.

“We’ve heard nothing but praise about our electric vehicle super highway and charging stations we’re installing, and this includes from Tesla owners.” The Cairns station has been used 92 times, including by Tesla owners.

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