Sites chosen for Kalbarri and Northampton electric vehicle stations

Electric vehicle road trips through the Mid West are a step closer, with the locations chosen for charging stations in Kalbarri and Northampton.

The Shire of Northampton council last week confirmed the stations would be in Kalbarri on Grey Street, south-west of the IGA carpark, and at the Lions Park in Northampton.

The locations were requested by Synergy as part of the State Government’s EV Highway from Perth to Kununurra.

The Kalbarri location was considered the best spot because it was convenient for drive-through operation and was also identified as the EV charging area in the proposed Kalbarri foreshore redevelopment plans.

There is already an EV charger in Northampton at the back of the RSL Hall which was supplied by Tesla.

But Synergy has said the site is not suitable and the charger area needed to be on the east side of Hampton Road to reduce costs in providing power to the EV charger.

The Shire found the only area along Hampton Road that was suitable was the western portion of the Lions Park carpark.

“The area can become congested at times, primarily during school holidays, however with correct line marking and signage it is considered the site can be managed,” they said.

“The site is also close to amenities and the shopping precinct.”

Shire president Liz Sudlow welcomed the selections and said it was a “step in the right direction”.

“It is the way of the future in terms of promoting vehicles that use less fuel,” Cr Sudlow said.

All costs for the charging areas will be covered by Synergy and Western Power.

The EV Highway is expected to be fully operational by the start of 2024. It will include up to 90 new fast charging stations for WA, with an average gap of less than 200km between stations.