The future of transportation by cars now has a firm foothold in Bega, as the NRMA has turned on its electric vehicle fast-charging station in the town.
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The charger is at 81 Gipps St, the carpark at the north end of the street, and was officially opened to the public on Thursday, August 15.
Speaking at the opening NRMA executive general manager motoring Nell Payne said how quickly the majority of Australian motorists would move to electric vehicle technology depended on policy and economic changes.
But she said the majority of car manufacturers have been moving their research and development to electric vehicles and by 2021/2022 Volkswagen and Volvo will no longer make petrol or diesel passenger vehicles.
The station in Bega completes the NRMA's South Coast loop, as it has already installed chargers in places such as Batemans Bay, Berry and Jindabyne.
Ms Payne expected the stations would assist promoting tourism in regional areas, as aside from providing a place for motorists with electric vehicles to power up she said it took about 30minutes to recharge 300kms, which gave tourists time to wander into town and contribute to the economy.
"Eighty six per cent of domestic tourism in Australia is by car," she said.
NRMA roadside patrolman Bowen Finnerty said while he knew of two Tesla electric cars in the Bega region, there were "heaps of hybrid Toyotas".
"They are getting more common, people are looking at them. It's the infrastructure we've needed - but now we're pretty right," NRMA approved repairer network's Martin Finnerty said as he gestured at the new station.
He thought hybrid cars were currently more appropriate for regional areas, but said the technology for electrics "will go in leaps and bounds".
So how would Ms Payne encourage Australians to embrace electric vehicles?
"If you are an NRMA member it is free to use the the electric vehicle chargers," she said.
"If someone offered free petrol, don't you think people would pay attention?"