Launched: A comprehensive EV mapping tool and central hub, designed to pinpoint charging stations and aid electric vehicle buyers in their purchase decisions.
The Australian government has unveiled a new tool to help scale up the country's electric vehicle (EV) charging network. The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) mapping tool, part of the newly launched EV.gov.au website, is designed to provide a one-stop shop for consumers and industry to find advice, information, and practical guidance on EVs and government programs.
The EVCI mapping tool is a data-driven system that visualizes, analyzes, and harmonizes information about EV charging stations. It integrates multiple data sources, including charging duration, volume, pricing, weather variables, points of interest, and geographic attributes like EV uptake, traffic volumes, local amenities, infrastructure, and mobile coverage.
This tool aids in identifying coverage gaps and areas for new infrastructure by pinpointing where fast chargers are most needed. It also allows planners and utilities to understand patterns of usage, demand, and environmental factors influencing charging behavior, thus improving the efficiency of infrastructure deployment.
The EVCI mapping tool supports visualization of corridor completeness, such as in highway corridors, enabling authorities to strategically fill fast charging station gaps for seamless electric vehicle travel. It also provides a unified platform that assists eligible entities to coordinate infrastructure build-out efforts, focusing on corridors or high-demand areas.
Details like temporal harmonization and cross-referencing with points of interest provide granular insights into usage patterns, enhancing the decision-making process for expanding charging infrastructure.
The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on Australian roads has surpassed 300,000, and the government aims to help roll out EV charging faster and more efficiently in places that are best for consumers and where they can be most readily supported by the grid. The actions are aimed at driving the rollout of EV charging infrastructure more efficiently and effectively.
Giles Parkinson, the founder and editor of The Driven, and editor of Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites, owns a Tesla Model 3. Federal energy and climate minister Chris Bowen stated that the new mapping tool will ensure that EV chargers are in the right place, allowing drivers to be on the move hassle-free.
The EV.gov.au website will provide links to trusted government, industry, and academic resources. It will be updated in coming months and eventually serve as a comprehensive resource for everything Australian consumers and industry need to know about EVs. The website will offer practical advice on buying and owning an EV, as well as details on state and federal programs.
References: [1] Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). (2021). EV Charging Infrastructure Mapping Tool. Retrieved from [2] Chargefox. (2021). EVCI Mapping Tool. Retrieved from
The EVCI mapping tool, integrated with data sources such as charging duration, volume, pricing, weather variables, points of interest, and geographic attributes, enables planners and utilities to understand patterns of usage and demand in the finance, technology, energy, transportation, and electric vehicle (EV) industries. This tool assists eligible entities in coordinating infrastructure build-out efforts, focusing on corridors or high-demand areas, thereby driving the efficient and effective expansion of charging infrastructure in the energy sector.
