Recently, an Australian radio host named Ray Hadley rang through an electric vehicle owner on one of the most bizarre and potentially dangerous charging set-ups he has ever seen.
On his 2GB program, Hadley described a "remarkable photo" of an electric vehicle being charged in a very unusual manner: an owner had threaded the charging cable through a stormwater pipe and onto the street. This incident revealed how many are starting to question the reality of EV infrastructure and the issues certain owners are experiencing.
Odd-looking Electric Vehicle Charging Facility Under Fire
As news.com.au reports, the local media personality Hadley shared the image on his radio program and seemed shocked by it, describing how this was the way one EV owner recharges his car.
He draws the electrical cord through the stormwater pipe and into the street, he said, pointing out the risks and impracticality of this setup.
"This is priceless. He's actually got his electric vehicle charging with the lead going through the stormwater pipe," Hadley said.
Again, the license plate of the owner is not visible in the picture, but this may have been avoided to save the owner from his or her friends, but the picture reflected the availability and accessibility of EV charging stations around the place.
Australia's Rapid Transition to Electric Vehicles Presents Challenges
Australia has seen a boost in electric vehicles both by environmental considerations and government incentives. Not without its share of growing pains, though, for this rapid shift.
Hadley's reaction sparks attention to the most obvious challenge that Australia's EV owners face: the question of charging infrastructure availability and convenience.
For some, the unavailability of accessible charging points near residences or workplaces breeds creative-though sometimes dubious-remedies.
Rising EV Fast-Charging Costs Rival Fuel Prices
What's more troubling, though, is that the charging issue isn't just an issue of infrastructure. In fact, a really concerning trend has recently been found in Australia's electric vehicle market: it now costs more to fast-charge an electric vehicle than it takes to fill up a conventional gasoline-powered car in some cases.
For those owners who do not have home chargers but instead rely on fast-charging stations, this higher cost may eat into the savings that attracted many to begin with.
This rising cost of fast charging coupled with access and practicality problems indicates the larger problem of enabling the large-scale transition to EVs. Some experts argue that these require immediate attention if Australia is going to attain its sustainability objectives through EV adoption.
Growing Pains in Australia's EV Infrastructure Development
But while EVs are certainly popular in Australia, the country's infrastructure lags behind. The scarcity of convenient and affordable charging options created just the right environment where some of the owners resorted to creative and sometimes—impractical charging solutions like the one Hadley is highlighting here.
Hadley's reaction to the innovative charging station is a key issue: without proper charging infrastructure, electric vehicle adoption will be hard to come by.
If electric vehicles are ever going to be a realistic choice for many, one scenario in which even apartment residents who have no dedicated parking or house owners who, due to lack of yard space, cannot position their houses in a dedicated garage location—will have to be directed to locate more accessible and cheaper charging stations.
Is Australia Ready for a Full EV Transition?
This incident may be highlighted in a more recognizable issue that plagues the world market of EVs: while demand for electric vehicles has proven to go up, governments and private businesses cannot afford not to invest in practical, accessible solutions.
For Australia, ensuring its charging options catch up with the rate of adoption is going to be key in keeping the public at ease with the technology. Without such measures, the sustainability benefits of EVs may be beaten off by the frustrations of logistics and growing operational costs.
Last month, Australia opened its first lithium battery and EV charger factory.
Related Article: Australia to Rollout More Than 391 Kerbside EV Chargers Statewide
