Queensland EV Charging Infrastructure Scheme

[Chuq]

The Queensland government has announced a new program, separate to their QESH network rollout.

Details: https://qrida.qld.gov.au/s3fs-publi...Queensland Charging Infrastructure Scheme.pdf

Summary:

This new scheme seeks proposals for private organisations to build larger fast charging sites to supplement the QESH installs. It looks like $10m is available, which will fund a maximum of 50% of the cost of eligible sites. Applicants can propose multiple sites, with a maximum of $3m per recipient.

Sites must have 4x bays, minimum 75 kW in "Zone A" (which appears to cover the main coastal regions) or 2x bays min 75 kW each in "Zone B or C" (which covers the rest of the state). Priority will be given to applicants who fund faster charging stations. Worth noting that many network operators are now building sites which share capacity so this means it may result in some "300 kW over 4 bays" or "150 kW over 2 bays" arrangements. Connectors are not specified, but must adhere to "FCAI standards" - I would guess there will be less of a focus on Chademo, especially as these sites are to supplement the QESH locations. Using the funding to upgrade or expand existing sites is permitted.

There are also a few notes in requirement to provide open data on usage and uptime, which is good to see.

More details on zones/locations below.

Looks like a great scheme!

 

[moa999]

Any CHAdeMO or access requirements?
Eg. Can Tesla apply as they seemingly can under the similar NSW program.

Answering my own questions, seems they refer to FCAI standards - which seem to recommend both CCS2 and CHAdeMO.

FCAI Technical Statement on Ev Charging Standards for Public Recharging Infrastructure

Background Electric Vehicles (EVs)[1] are set to increase in volume as manufacturers continue to meet increasingly stringent emissions standards. Key barriers

www.fcai.com.au

Also has a requirement for backup AC chargers, which I guess Tesla could provide with wall chargers.

 

[scully]

One CHAdeMO per site should be enough. I wish other states had AC backup

 

[Vostok]

One CHAdeMO per site should be enough. I wish other states had AC backup

The NSW EV charging programme mandates backup AC as well.

 

[Chuq]

I wish other states had AC backup

AC backup is an interesting one. When a fast charging site meant a single 50 kW charger, the only people using them were all early adopter enthusiasts, and having a second fast charger was a big ask, then absolutely AC backup is useful.

But the best backup to a DC charger is another DC charger. When you have a 4 stall DC charger site, what benefit does an AC charger bring? It would only help in niche situations:

- Failure of the car's DC charging hardware
- Support for PHEVs, Renault Zoes that don't support DC fast charging
- If all the cables at the site had been damaged and the AC charger is a BYO cable unit

I think the best plan is for fast charging sites to be just that - fast chargers. AC chargers should also be plentiful, but these can be installed easily and cheaply by anyone and they don't necessarily have to be part of a fast charging site.

There's also an element of consideration of new EV drivers, who are not technical and just want to plug in and charge. Having a site with a consistent look and feel (rather than a mix of different types) can help with this.

 

[PC__LoadLetter]

It would only help in niche situations:

- Failure of the car's DC charging hardware
- Support for PHEVs, Renault Zoes that don't support DC fast charging
- If all the cables at the site had been damaged and the AC charger is a BYO cable unit

- The driver is fatigued and needs a power nap, and doesn't want to hog a rapid charger while asleep, only to have someone who actually needs a rapid charge tap on the window & wake you up.

 

[Chuq]

- The driver is fatigued and needs a power nap, and doesn't want to hog a rapid charger while asleep, only to have someone who actually needs a rapid charge tap on the window & wake you up.

That's an oddly specific example

 

[scully]

- The driver has a 7 bar leaf and wants to visit family 100km away. Most of it freeway. No charging in the important middle bit yet but fast charging planned. Not sure how good CHAdeMO would be.Would be happy with AC to not hog charger

 

[Vostok]

The driver has a 7 bar leaf and wants to visit family 100km away. Most of it freeway. No charging in the important middle bit yet but fast charging planned. Not sure how good CHAdeMO would be.Would be happy with AC to not hog charger

A Gen 1 Leaf with 7 bars would not be able to go 100km

 

[scully]

A Gen 1 Leaf with 7 bars would not be able to go 100km

That's why they are waiting for the charging to go in on the way

 

[Chuq]

- The driver has a 7 bar leaf and wants to visit family 100km away. Most of it freeway. No charging in the important middle bit yet but fast charging planned. Not sure how good CHAdeMO would be.Would be happy with AC to not hog charger

As the owner of a 7 bar Leaf, I can confirm the driver would much prefer Chademo. AC charging means 3.6 kW.

 

[scully]

Cool, how fast can you charge on Chademo at 7 bars?

 

[Chuq]

Cool, how fast can you charge on Chademo at 7 bars?

Not very fast, about 30 kW. But that's still shitloads better than AC!

 

[scully]

Ok, don't worry about the AC. Y'all can just whine on plugshare while you wait for me

 

[cafz]

Ok, don't worry about the AC. Y'all can just whine on plugshare while you wait for me

It would be very déclassé to whinge about Leaf drivers. Besides, even at only 30kW how long can it possibly take to fill that little battery?

 

[cafz]

I think the best plan is for fast charging sites to be just that - fast chargers. AC chargers should also be plentiful, but these can be installed easily and cheaply by anyone and they don't necessarily have to be part of a fast charging site.

I endorse this statement and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

 

[moa999]

Just thought I'd bump this thread as we are getting close to the Close of Stage 2 applications (I don't believe any public release about who was involved in Stage 1)

6 February 2023 - Stage two full applications close at 11:59pm
End March 2023 - Applicants will be notified of outcomes

Then 18 months from signing of a Funding Agreement before you are required to have all sites up and running.

 

[Chuq]

Given the scope (number of stalls, speed, etc) is similar to the NSW Government funding, I think we can also expect Tesla to make a few proposals here too.

 

[moa999]

So hopefully we see some Qld Govt announcements soon.

QRIDA seems to be under the control of Mark Furner MP, but EV charging also possibly crosses into Mick de Brenni MP (although he has been less visible on Twitter recently)

 

[moa999]

And an announcement

State Government doubles public charging capabilities across Queensland

Tesla is among the winners of $10m for 44 sites across 30 Queensland towns.
Alongside Evie, Engie, NRMA, RACQ.

But not a huge amount more detail on who has won what.

Notably the multiple sites include Rockhampton (where Tesla has a coming soon pin) but also Bundaberg and Mackay (where a pin was removed).
Nothing for Miriam Vale (which still has a pin), Gladstone would be the closest.