Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-10-16 Daily Xml

Contents

Electric Vehicles

In reply to the Hon. M.C. PARNELL (5 September 2018).

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment): The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government has provided the following advice:

1. The South Australian government acknowledges that growth in low-emission vehicles has the potential to make substantial economic and social impacts and that this state is well placed to benefit. Furthermore, electrification is widely recognised as a global transport megatrend, along with automation, connectivity (intelligent transport systems) and shared transport mobility.

The South Australian government supports a national response and coordinated approach to low-emission vehicle policy development. The government is currently considering the merits of a separate electric vehicle (EV) strategy approach or whether low-emission vehicles should be considered as part of overall priorities for action across government pertaining to low carbon or future transport mobility.

2. The South Australian government has set a target of 30% low-emission vehicles in its fleet by 2019. This is likely to be met with vehicles such as Toyota and Hyundai hybrids, including the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (plug in hybrid electric vehicle) as well as an advance order for the Tesla Model 3 vehicle.

Fleet SA will continue to trial low-emission vehicles as a wider range becomes available and more affordable (noting there are few commercial EVs).

In addition to the adoption of low-emission vehicles, the South Australian government has partnered with local governments, universities and the private sector to deploy charging infrastructure in the city centre, greater Adelaide region and for e-tourism purposes across rural Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island.

This has seen 50kW DC fast charging infrastructure deployed in the city and planned for the Tonsley Innovation District. It has also seen 30+ 22kW Type 2 AC charging stations provided on-street and in city car parks and low-cost Type 1 AC charging being provided in rural areas to date. These services support early adopters in the private and commercial use of electric vehicles.