Single picture that reveals the latest problem with Australia’s electric vehicle revolution

Aussie drivers have scorned a viral image of an electric vehicle mounting the kerb whilst charging, revealing yet another issue with the government’s plans to drastically grow the country’s EV network. 

The photo of a grey Tesla hooked up to a BP Pulse charging station at an undisclosed location was shared in a Facebook group on Thursday, captioned: ‘I’m aware they don’t have a spare tyre, I wasn’t aware that they don’t have reverse.’

Clearly well beyond the bay’s perimeters, the majority of the car had mounted the kerb in front.

Social media users were quick to criticise the car’s position, questioning why the driver didn’t reverse into the spot to make it easier for the charging cable to reach the outlet.

‘Obviously don’t have a brake either,’ wrote one, suggesting the Tesla had rolled forward by accident. 

Others labelled the move as ‘stupid’ and ‘idiotic’. 

But it soon became apparent why the Tesla was across the boundaries of the parking bay when the original image, which had been cropped, resurfaced and revealed the Tesla was towing a trailer.

It highlights yet another glaring issue with the government’s plans to drastically grow the country’s EV network by 2030.

Of the 3,000 electric vehicle charging stations currently available nationwide, none of them are equipped for cars towing caravans.

The current infrastructure means drivers often have to unhitch the trailer to effectively charge their vehicle or risk blocking other vehicles. 

Carola Jonas, CEO and Founder of Everty, said it’s something charging station owners and operators must ‘pay close attention to’.

‘I think we need to look at this holistically,’ she added.

As well as having a lot of catching up to do in terms of having ample charging stations both roadside and in buildings, Jonas argued ‘a balance’ must be found with the types of bays available for drivers. 

‘If you look at the charging stations in Wilson or Secure car parks in the city CBDs the parking bays there are limited, but you also wouldn’t use these ones with a trailer,’ she told Yahoo News Australia.

‘But then when you look at highway charging or charging in more public open locations, it would definitely be good if the charging networks start implementing a mix [of suitable bays].’

Some charging networks are currently installed in the ‘trucking areas’ of some petrol stations so trucks and longer EV vehicles can still use them, Jonas continued.

‘So even if you come there with a normal passenger car, you can just drive into the trucking parking area and use the charger. The other way around, it wouldn’t have been possible.

‘So there are solutions, but it’s really for the infrastructure providers to make sure they’re for the right mix.’