Charging stations begin rollout in Coast’s electric vehicle ‘surge’

MAYOR Tom Tate says he wants to see a surge in electric vehicle ownership among Gold Coasters

Cr Tate on Tuesday morning unveiled a “world-first” electric vehicle charging station at Broadbeach’s Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, which will be among 10 rolled out across the city in the next year.

The other stations, built by Brisbane company Tritium, will be installed at Coolangatta, Southport, Pimpama, Carrara, Bundall and Nerang.

Cr Tate said his message to Gold Coast was “get down to Electric Avenue”, quoting the 1982 Eddy Grant song.

“Moving into the future I see recharging electrical stations throughout the city,” he said.

“The Gold Coast is an innovation city and this is one area where we lead the way.

“Get down to electric avenue, plug in, have three schooners. You can’t drive but at least your car will be fully charged.”

“The number (of people using electric vehicles) will increase. That’s the trend in Europe and it behoves ourselves to be on the front foot.

The new 75kW stations will charge “50 per cent faster” than 50kW stations and deliver 75km of range for a vehicle within 10 minutes of charging.

It’s not the council’s first promotion of electric vehicle technology.

Cr Tate’s predecessor Ron Clarke famously chose to drive a Toyota Prius electric vehicle during his stint in the city’s job more than a decade ago.

The new rations were funded from a $350,000 state government grant to boost the local economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the grant, which covers the construction and installation of the stations, had created 14 jobs.