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AAP
AAP
Business
Tim Dornin

SA is on the right road to becoming super-charged

More charging stations for electric cars are being rolled out across South Australia. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

More charging stations for electric cars are being rolled out across South Australia as the push to decarbonise transport gathers pace.

The Royal Automobile Association will develop a network of 140 stations across Adelaide and regional locations.

It will include 86 AC fast-charging stations and 54 DC rapid and ultra-rapid locations, with construction to be complete by the end of next year.

All will be powered by renewable energy, with the work supported by a $12.5 million state government grant.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said backing the faster uptake of electric vehicles made sense from an economic and environmental standpoint.

"At a time when petrol prices are stubbornly high, South Australia has abundant renewable energy, particularly in the middle of the day," he said.

"Electric vehicles will play a crucial role in storing that energy and using it productively."

But the premier said the state government also remained "agnostic" about the best technology to decarbonise transport networks.

"We just want it to be readily accessible and affordable for consumers generally," Mr Malinauskas said.

"That means we don't exclusively believe in electric vehicles. We do believe that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have a role to play as well.

"I think there is every chance that in the future we see an intense degree of competition between electric vehicle technology and fuel cell technology."

RAA chief executive Nick Reade said the new charging network would help ease range anxiety, which was holding back some potential EV buyers.

"Our research shows that interest in EVs is curbed by the lack of available charging infrastructure. We're putting that to bed," he said.

The new charging network follows the government's move to repeal a tax on electric vehicles based on kilometres travelled.

South Australia also has buyer incentives in place, with a three-year exemption on motor registration fees, and a $3000 subsidy on all fuel cell and electric vehicles priced up to $68,750.

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