South Australians are embracing electric vehicles in record numbers, with new figures revealing charging sessions across the RAA Charge network jumped by almost 40 per cent over the past financial year.
The network recorded nearly 50,000 additional charging sessions compared with the previous year, as more drivers took their EVs beyond the city and into regional South Australia.
While Burnside remained the state’s busiest charging location, it was regional destinations that experienced the biggest growth. Charging sessions more than doubled at sites including Burra, Clare and Renmark, highlighting a growing confidence among motorists to take longer road trips in electric vehicles.
Powered entirely by renewable energy, the RAA Charge network delivered enough electricity to power more than 28 million kilometres of EV travel during the financial year.
The increase in EV use also reduced reliance on traditional fuels, freeing up more than 10 million litres of petrol and diesel, the equivalent of around 278 fuel tanker trailers.
Interstate visitors also played a major role in the network’s busiest period. April recorded the highest monthly demand, with visitors from outside South Australia accounting for 20 per cent of all charging sessions as Easter holidays and AFL Gather Round brought thousands of travellers across the border.
There are now around 24,000 electric vehicles on South Australian roads, with battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles making up 32 per cent of all new cars sold in June.
“It’s clear South Australians and visitors alike are relying on our charging network more than ever, whether it’s for the daily commute or a longer regional trip,” shared RAA Principal Advisor for Energy and Future Mobility Peter Nattrass. “The growth is not simply coming from more chargers being installed, with established locations recording increases as more motorists rely on the network for longer regional road trips.
“The level of demand shows why a reliable statewide charging network is increasingly important not only for South Australians but for visitors travelling here for holidays and major events.”
He added that a strong charging network benefits more than just EV owners, supporting regional tourism, improving fuel security and giving motorists greater confidence to choose the vehicle that best suits their lifestyle.
With regional charging stations seeing some of the state’s strongest growth, the latest figures suggest South Australians are becoming increasingly comfortable taking electric vehicles well beyond the daily commute, making road trips across the state easier than ever.
