Orange scores new NRMA fast charger

As you may have seen we recently made the trek to Bathurst to try out a new NRMA EV fast charger, trust me if you have the time check that out here. Now we have news that another fast charger has been installed in Orange, NSW.

For those who don’t know Orange is around 55km North West of Bathurst. As a result this is pretty good news for people in that particular part of regional NSW.

The new charger is centrally located in the Civic Centre car park, in between the Orange Regional Museum and the Civic Centre car park.

This is now the 16th NRMA charger to open in NSW with other locations including; Sydney Olympic Park, Wallsend near Newcastle, Jindabyne, Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley, Mittagong in the Southern Highlands, Narrandera, Berry, Young, West Wyalong, Bathurst, Parkes, Dubbo, Nabiac, Tamworth, and Batemans Bay.

The NRMA has tipped in $10 million and is aiming to build an extensive fast charging network across NSW and the ACT.

NRMA Executive General Manager for Motoring Nell Payne said, “The NRMA wants to attract the next generation of motorists into the Central Western region, and by opening this charger today we are able to do that,”

“We know one of the key reasons electric vehicle uptake has been relatively slow in Australia, and in regional areas particularly, is because people are worried there isn’t any charging infrastructure available along their journeys.

“That’s why the NRMA is a part of the solution to that perceived ‘range anxiety’ – our network of fast chargers will allow EV motorists to tour to towns like Orange, Parkes, and Dubbo and know that they will have all the amenities and services they need to stop, charge their car, enjoy the town, and safely continue on their journey.”

The NRMA state that the proliferation of these charges may help facilitate tourism in regional NSW, with the aim of seeing 95 per cent of EV trips fall within 150km radius of a station.

Orange City Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee Chair, Councillor Stephen Nugent said; “The charging station is in a parking area directly between the Orange Civic Theatre and the Regional Museum. That’s going to be an ideal setting for both visitors and residents,” Mr Nugent said.

“I’m delighted the council is working in partnership with the NRMA to show the way forward when it comes to driving.”

I’ll just give the NRMA one tip. Install one somewhere in the Blue Mountains, then the EV brigade from Sydney may attempt the perilous trip, just like we did and failed!