A Heathcote service station has been ruled out as a location for one of a network of ultra-fast electric vehicle charging stations on highways around Australia.
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Evie Networks has withdrawn a development application (DA) to install two 350kW ultra-fast charging heads and associated infrastructure at the Caltex outlet on the southbound side of Princes Highway.
A spokesman said the decision was "due to constraints in power availability" at the location, and an alternative site in the area was being considered.
"Suitable power connections are a key challenge in building fast / ultra-fast charging infrastructure," the spokesman said.
"Support is necessary from networks, state and federal governments and industry to address this challenge at scale and support the electrification of vehicle transport in Australia."
The spokesman said Evie Networks was "still committed to an ultra-fast charging station in the area as part of our 42 site highway network, the largest of its kind in Australia".
"Evie Networks maintains an active list of several locations for all our areas and has made good progress on an alternative site."
In August last year, the company was awarded $15 million by the federal government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency to support the national project.
Under the plan, 42 charging sites, all powered by renewable energy, will be installed at roadside service centres connecting Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane.
Charging stations at specific destinations will be established in Far North Queensland, Tasmania and Perth.
The aim was for 23 sites to be operational in the first year.
"Each site will be able to charge two cars concurrently and will enable the typical EV available in Australia to charge 100 kilometres within 15 minutes using Tritium chargers," a federal government statement said when funding was announced.
"All sites will be open access with charging plugs suitable for all EV models available, including Tesla with an adapter.
"Spacing of sites is designed to align with Australian geography, population areas, highways and to be well within range of even the most affordable EV models."
The DA said, at present, electric vehicles were being charged at home, workplaces and destination points.
"The missing element is ultra-fast, inter-city highway charging, so that drivers can fill-up on the go and without delay, and have an equivalent experience to refuelling a conventional motor car," the DA said.
"Ultra-fast charge points will operate at 350kW and take around 10 minutes to charge a vehicle to a sufficient level."
The DA said Australia was "on the cusp of a transportation revolution, with electric vehicles, car sharing and autonomous vehicles bringing benefits in terms of productivity, jobs, balance of trade, energy security, health and emissions".
"Drivers are about to benefit from the introduction of fast, fun and convenient electric vehicles (with lower fuel and running costs) as major auto manufacturers bring more models to Australia.
"As the price of Lithium ion batteries falls, the price of these vehicles will fall to equivalent levels to petrol and diesel vehicles.
"Australia's current charging network is slow, patchy and unplanned, and despite conservative projections estimating between 40,000 and 140,000 electrical vehicles in Australia by 2025, we are yet to establish a clear framework for meeting the charging demand for those vehicles.
"Evie Networks' ultra-fast charging network will form an integral part of the plan to help meet the demand."
