Fast-charge options remain limited for EV users in hinterland area outside of Maleny
By Kirra Livingstone
THE lower hinterland has no public fast-charging availability with demand still not strong enough in the region, despite a record number of electric vehicle car sales nationally last year.
Beerwah, Landsborough, Mooloolah or Glass House Mountains have no public fast-charging options.
Private operators such as Australia Zoo and the Warrior Restaurant provide fast-charging ports for patrons and according to plugshare.com there is also a facility at Stretch Family Farms on Alf’s Pinch Rd, which is free for customers of farm tours.
Wall charging is also available at Beerwah Hotel.
The closest other fast-charging station in the immediate area is at McDonald’s on the Bruce Highway at Coochin Creek.
This is in contrast to Maleny, which has seven privately owned electric car charging stations, including four in the main street.
Beerwah Co-op operation manager, Frances Ross, said they hadn’t received much interest from the community. Beerwah Co-Op said it appeared demand was not high enough at present to install charging facilities, however they remained open to the idea in the future.
“From our perspective, whilst we haven’t received any queries in relation to an EV charging station, we have noticed more hybrid vehicles in the local area in more recent times rather than full electric vehicles,” she said.
The Electric Vehicle Council’s most recent State of Electric Vehicles report, stated that an annual record was broken with over 100,000 EVs purchased in Australia last year.
“Another crucial element that contributed to recent EV growth in Australia has been the expansion of our country’s national charging network,” the report said.
“As of July 2024, there were over 1,000 locations across the country offering fast or ultra-fast charging.
“The EVC strongly recommends continued investment in public charging through initiatives such as kerbside charging and local governments providing publicly available charging.” According to the Electric Vehicle Council, Queensland is the second highest state for EV sales in 2024, with the ACT leading in most EV sales. Queensland also sits on the national 2024 average for new EV sales just above NSW and WA.
kirra@gcnews.com.au