Kangaroo Island Council has resolved to remove existing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located at the Civic Centre in Kingscote, Parndana Town Hall, Penneshaw Community Business Centre, and American River Campground. 

This decision, made at the council meeting on 12 November, is part of a broader strategy to align local infrastructure with current EV standards. Removing the stations is driven by the recent withdrawal of ChargePoint from Australia, which has made the chargers obsolete. 

A detailed review also identified limitations such as compatibility issues, outdated technology, and site compliance challenges.

Mayor Michael Pengilly says, “While I understand electric vehicles are becoming more common, we must ensure that our infrastructure serves the community’s needs efficiently and effectively. 

“These older chargers don’t meet those standards and are costly to maintain. By collaborating with third-party providers, we’re enabling modern, up-to-date charging options.”

The council says its decision is supported by the state government and the Royal Automobile Association (RAA), which are establishing RAA Charge, the state’s first border-to-border network of EV charging stations. 

This network will include 140 sites across South Australia, featuring 86 AC Fast 7kW charging sites, 37 DC Rapid 150kW charging sites, and 17 DC Ultra-Rapid 200kW charging sites. 

With 75 per cent of these stations in regional areas and 98 per cent no more than 200km apart, the network will make EV travel more accessible throughout South Australia.

There are already six RAA Charge stations on Kangaroo Island, located in Penneshaw, Kingscote, and at the Kangaroo Island Airport. 

The council says these existing locations provide accessible, reliable charging options for EV drivers, helping meet current demand without requiring council-operated facilities.

“We have to be realistic about the role EVs will play on Kangaroo Island,” Mayor Pengilly says.

“Supporting RAA’s extensive network allows us to meet the demand for EV infrastructure without unnecessary financial and operational demands on Council.”

For more information on the RAA Charge network, visit the website.