DONNYBROOK-Balingup Shire Council have thrown their support behind a proposed charging station for electric cars in the Donnybrook town site.
The proposal is part of a proposed Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Electric Highway–a network of fast recharging facilities for electric vehicles at various towns between Perth and Augusta. Hybrid electric cars could also access the stations.
While the RAC is project-managing the installation of the infrastructure, the support of local governments is being sought to provide locations for the stations and to meet operational and maintenance costs.
Electric vehicles can typically only travel 80-100km before needing charging. The proposed stations would allow the vehicles to be recharged in half an hour.
Possible sites listed for a charging station in Donnybrook include Collins Street, the two main street parking areas, the RSL car park and Clifford Road.
Shire Chief Executive John Attwood said Council had agreed to support the concept.
“We’ve got to work out the costs and find a location where people can charge their vehicles but still have close access to amenities,” he said.
“We want to make sure there’s no general cost to ratepayers. It should be self-supporting.”
