The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is on the rise in Australia, which leads to one obvious question: where can you find EV charging stations in Queensland?
This comprehensive guide will help you find EV charging stations in Queensland, from the Gold Coast all the way up to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Cairns and beyond. We’ll take a look at everything, from ultra-fast and branded options like Tesla charging stations to cost-conscious choices including free EV charging stations in Brisbane.
We’ll also address all your driving range concerns, analysing the state of play of the network and the plans for growth. Let’s start by looking at the current situation.
How many EV charging stations in Queensland?
One of the big questions that people have before buying an electric car is ‘how easy is it to find a charging station?’
Luckily for Queenslanders, the Sunshine State has the third highest number of public charging stations in Australia.
Of the 558 charging stations in the country, 109 of them are in QLD. This is a mix of 93 fast chargers and 16 ultrafast chargers.
| State / Territory | Fast (24kW - 99kW DC) | Ultrafast (100kW DC+) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| NSW | 131 | 43 | 174 |
| NT | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| QLD | 93 | 16 | 109 |
| SA | 42 | 9 | 51 |
| TAS | 31 | 5 | 36 |
| VIC | 97 | 32 | 129 |
| WA | 36 | 12 | 48 |
| Grand total | 438 | 120 | 558 |
Source: The Electric Vehicle Council
Remember, this is purely the number of charging stations in the state. Most stations can charge multiple cars simultaneously and drivers can also benefit from private chargers at hotels or workplaces.
Breaking down the numbers
Of the 109 EV charging stations in Queensland, 93 of these offer fast charging and 16 offer ultrafast charging. The fast chargers allow quick top ups to help with city driving while the ultrafast chargers allow your EV to get a full charge even more quickly.
Depending on the rate of charging, the size of your battery and the required charge, you can top up anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes. The highest concentration of EV charging stations is in Brisbane, followed by the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
Queensland’s electric superhighway
Currently, Queensland’s major cities and most of the east coast have plenty of options for EV drivers. In the near future, driving EV in regional Queensland will also become easy.
Queensland’s State Government set out a three-phase plan to create an Electric Superhighway across the state.
Phases 1 and 2 are complete, joining Coolangatta in the south to Port Douglas in the north. There’s also a second smaller branch from Brisbane out west to Toowoomba.
Phase 3 is currently under development with new locations being installed and becoming operational throughout 2023. This phase is adding more regional locations to the EV map, including towns like Cunnamulla, Longreach and Mt Isa.
Once completed, the Superhighway will have EV charging stations in more than 50 towns and suburbs.
The rise of electric charging stations in Queensland
Queensland State Government has a number of ambitious goals as part of its Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy.
Among the initiatives included in the plan is a $10 million co-funding initiative which sees the Government working with third parties to develop more public charging stations.
In May 2023, it was announced that 44 EV stations would be co-funded in 30 different towns across QLD. Five companies are working alongside the government to make this happen: Evie Networks, ENGINE, NRMA, RACQ and Tesla. These companies will match the financial contribution made by the government.
Proposed locations for new EV charging stations in Queensland
The co-funded locations, separate from the Electric Superhighway, aim to enhance the routes defined in that plan.
Of the 30 towns set to receive charging stations, several already offer EV charging facilities. However, with additional locations, drivers will benefit from a broader range of options.
The majority of the new stations will be located along the east coast, stretching from Ormeau in the south up to Cairns in the north. This expansion will also include new stations in towns such as Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, and Gladstone.
In terms of inland development, plans are in place to introduce new charging stations in locations like Alpha, Mitchell, and Pentland, among others.
EV charging stations in Brisbane
As Queensland’s biggest city, it’s no surprise that there are more EV charging stations in Brisbane than anywhere else in the state.
As of February 2023, there were more than 50 charging stations open to the public in Brisbane. You’ll find a mix of standard and fast charging stations throughout the city. These can be found at service stations, council facilities and some shopping centres.
Plugshare has one of the best maps of charging stations in Brisbane (and elsewhere in Australia).
Tesla charging stations in Brisbane
There are three charging stations specific to Teslas in the Brisbane region (which means non-Tesla EVs can’t charge there). These supercharger sites offer a quicker charging service to Tesla drivers.
You can find these in Indooroopilly, Newstead and Mount Gravatt.
There’s also a fourth Tesla supercharging site in Rochedale, which also has the capacity to charge non-Tesla vehicles.
Maps of EV charging stations in Queensland
Whether you’re on your daily Brisbane commute, driving up the coast or exploring the inner regions of the area, you’ll be able to find EV charging stations in Queensland wherever you go.
If you like to be prepared, you can find real-time maps of charging stations through sites like PlugShare, Chargefox, and the EV Council. These maps display nearby stations as well as cost information, if stations are currently in use and what other users think of them.
If you have Google Maps installed in your car, you can plan your charging ahead. Google Maps has an EV road trip function that shows you locations to charge up along your route.
To keep an eye on charging locations in QLD, have a look at the following sites:
Costs of running an EV in Queensland
The cost of charging an electrical vehicle can vary based on a few factors, such as the model of your car, where you recharge and the type of charger used. The good news is that running an EV generally works out cheaper than filling up a petrol or diesel vehicle. Current estimates show that running an EV vehicle can be up to 70% cheaper than an internal combustion engine.
According to Drive.com, public electric car charging in Australia costs $0.45 per kWh for a 50kW DC fast charging station on average.
To save money, it’s best to charge your car at home most of the time. Typically, this will cost you around $0.20 per kWh. If you’ve got solar panels, you can even cut this cost by making it a habit to charge your car when the sun’s out.
In a year, the average Queenslander drives just over 12,000km. With petrol prices at $1.90/L, that equates to around $1900 on fuel. Covering the same driving range could cost just $450 with an electric vehicle.
EV owners also receive other benefits in Queensland. For people buying a new EV, there’s the option of a $6000 rebate available to lower upfront costs.
There are national benefit schemes, too. Any EV or PHEV bought in Australia after 1 July 2022 under the cost of $89,332 is exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT).
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The charging process in Queensland
Whether you’re at home, on the highway or popping to the shops, there are lots of places throughout the state where you can top up your battery.
If you’re new to electric vehicles, here’s a brief overview of how the charging process actually works:
- Find a charging station. Use one of the apps shown earlier like PlugShare, or even Tesla’s own map to locate charging stations near you.
- Select the right connector. Different EVs require different connectors. Some charging stations in Queensland offer universal chargers while others are specific to certain models.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. Most charging stations have touchscreens that guide you through the charging process. Payment is typically made through a credit card or a specific app.
- Charge. Charging can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours. Some locations offer amenities to make your wait more comfortable.
How long does it take to recharge in Queensland?
There’s no golden rule about charging rate. How fast you can recharge your battery depends on a few factors like the model of your car, how depleted the battery is and what type of charger you’re using. In most cases, fast DC chargers can provide up to 80% charge in roughly 20-30 minutes.
How does that compare to kilometres on the road? This table shows the range you can expect to gain after charging for one hour or 15 minutes.
| Charge rate (kW) | Range gained per hour | Range gained per 15m |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | 15km | 3.75km |
| 3.7 | 25km | 6.25km |
| 7.7 | 40km | 10km |
| 11 | 65km | 16.25km |
| 22 | 130km | 32.5km |
| 50 | 300km | 75km |
| 150 | 900km | 225km |
| 350 | 2,000km | 500km |
Source: NRMA
It’s worth remembering that there are a lot of factors that will influence charging time:
- Charging level and mode: for the different types of charging points refer to this article.
- Charging points, plugs and cables: some cables and ports are designed to handle higher power outputs than others
- On-board charging capacity and battery size: EVs come with different maximum charge rates
- Battery state of charge (SoC): typically when a battery SoC is on the empty side the charging rate can be faster. When the battery’s SoC reaches 80% or above, it takes longer to charge
- Battery temperature: charging an EV in very cold or very hot conditions can slow down the charging rate
Let’s see how this works in real life:
How far can you drive on a full charge in Queensland?
Similar to charging rates, several factors influence how far you can drive. Different EV makes and models have varied ranges; the age of the car, the health of the battery, and even your driving style can impact how far you can go.
In most cases, new EVs offer a driving range between 250km and 300km on a single charge. This is enough to get from Brisbane to Hervey Bay.
This is true for most popular models like the Tesla Model 3, BMW iX, and Kia EV6.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average Australian travels 33.2km every day. An EV can cover this distance for 7.5-9 days on a single charge.
The future of EVs in Queensland
Queensland’s State Government has shown a strong commitment to make the state as EV-friendly as possible.
The Electric Superhighway has connected much of the east coast and is set to link many inland towns, too. On top of that, there are public charging stations present across much of the state and many more to come thanks to the government’s co-funded initiative.
With the growing number of charging options in QLD, the main barrier to adopting an electric vehicle is rapidly fading. Realising they can drive for days on a single charge and get access to an extensive charging network, Queenslander can finally leave behind any range concerns and embrace sustainable driving.
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FAQs - EV chargers in Queensland
Are there enough EV charging stations in QLD?
Queensland currently has more than 100 EV charging stations across the state, with plenty more in the pipeline. This puts the state in third place in Australia, behind NSW and Victoria.
Are EV charging stations free in QLD?
There’s a combination of free and paid charging stations in QLD. While the complimentary ones tend to be slower, they can provide a convenient top-up during activities like shopping. Most of the faster chargers come with a fee, with Chargefox being a popular option.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Queensland?
Charging costs vary among EV stations, typically correlating with their speed. Generally, fast DC charging is priced around $0.55/kWh, whereas home charging tends to be approximately $0.20/kWh.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Queensland?
As an average, expect to pay $0.20/kWh to charge your car at home. This can vary depending on your electricity provider and the plan you’re on. If you have solar panels, you can charge throughout the day for free.
What is the cheapest EV charging network in QLD?
Aside from free and at-home charging, the cheapest option is generally a Chargefox station. These start at $0.40/kWh on fast chargers and $0.60/kWh for superfast charging.
How long does it take to charge an EV at a fast charging station in QLD?
Factors like your car’s make and model, along with the battery’s age, can influence your charging duration. For reference, DC fast chargers can achieve up to 80% charge in under 30 minutes.
What is the difference between a fast charging station and an ultra-fast charging station in QLD?
The difference between fast charging and ultra-fast charging is in their power output. Fast chargers usually provide between 24kW to 99kW DC, while ultra-fast chargers start at a minimum of 100kW DC. Note that some cars have built-in limits on their charging speed.
How can I access a charging station in Queensland?
Once you locate a charging station, simply connect your vehicle following the manufacturer’s guidelines. Some stations accept card payments during charging, while others might require a dedicated app like Chargefox.
Can I plan ahead?
Several companies, including Plugshare and even Google, offer regularly updated maps of EV charging spots across Queensland and Australia. You can use these tools, even on the move, to find chargers along your route.
