Royal Adelaide Hospital provides fast EV charging

The Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is set to provide rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities for patients, visitors and staff.

A total of six charging bays and units have been officially commissioned and are located directly adjacent the Emergency Department entrance. One charging unit is located within an accessible parking bay. The rapid charging units can fully recharge the average EV in 30 to 60 minutes.

Celsus, which manages and maintains the day-to-day running of the RAH, has partnered with global renewable energy company ENGIE to provide charging facilities to meet the rapidly growing demand in EVs.

Celsus CEO Di Mantell said EV charging facilities bolstered the RAH’s green credentials in line with a broader move to decarbonise South Australia’s electricity grid. “Anyone travelling to the RAH will be able to charge their EVs while visiting patients or accessing the emergency department facilities. We also anticipate hospital staff will make use of the new facilities,” Mantell said.

“The charging bays sit within our Park & Pay public parking area, which has a two-hour time limit. 

“Celsus has ensured sustainability has been a key measure of success from building and design through to day-to-day management of the RAH. It was the first large-scale hospital complex in Australia to achieve a 4 Star Green Star – Healthcare As Built rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, and in 2021 we secured the world’s largest Green and Social Loan globally in the healthcare sector following the completion of a major refinancing deal with financiers,” Mantell said. 

Central Adelaide Local Health Network CEO Dr Emma McCahon said the introduction of the EV charging stations sets a new standard for healthcare facilities.

“These new charging stations provide patients, visitors and staff with convenient, dependable and efficient charging solutions, encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles and supporting our ongoing commitment to reduce our environmental impact,” McCahon said.

ENGIE ANZ Director of Green Mobility Greg Schumann said the company has installed around 200 EV charge points across Australia, both fleet and public, since the start of 2023.

“It’s important to place EV charging infrastructure in convenient locations where people will be parked for up to two hours and we’re pleased to be able to help take some of the stress out of a hospital visit by allowing EV drivers to charge cars while receiving treatment or visiting loved ones,” Schumann said.

Image caption: Celsus CEO Di Mantell and ENGIE ANZ Director of Green Mobility Greg Schumann.