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RAC Electric Highway Update

The RAC Electric Highway network is changing service provider to Chargefox.

Please see below a copy of the RAC’s announcement:

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RAC built the very first Electric Highway® in Australia, so you can charge up your car while driving from Perth to Augusta and back.

We would like to let you know that from Wednesday, 17 June 2020 we will be switching to a new service provider, Chargefox. Members and the community will have access to Australia’s largest EV charging network.

To continue to access the RAC Electric Highway® users will need to download the free Chargefox app. The app allows users to:

• Get real-time information about charging stations – whether that’s nearby, en route or at your destination
• Find and use charging stations
• See the status of your charging session while you shop, play or eat
• Stop your charging session
• Pay for charging

Download the free Chargefox app via:

Alternatively, you may request a free RFID card at chargefox.com/rfid.

Please note, there will be a service disruption for up to six days from Wednesday, 17 June 2020 during the transition. Prior to travelling, please click here for updates.

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Spare Tyres

A number of owners asked questions yesterday about carrying a spare tyre, before I go in to detail the Tesla owners club of WA have a free to use model 3 spare for members plus McCarthy’s in Nedlands carry at least one spare for model S cars, if you have a model X get in contact and TOCWA as we also have a owner’s spare that’s available.


So do you need to carry a spare tyre?

• For around the city and suburbs the answer is NO, in fact I would recommend getting your car flat bed trucked to a tyre centre rather than risk injury changing a tyre in a city full of distracted drivers.

• If you’re driving on the busy coastal corridor that passes through Mandurah-Bunbury-Dunsborough-Augusta there’s enough support to go without a spare tyre so the choice is yours.

•If you’re planning a drive North of Jurien Bay, East of Cunderdin or South-East towards Esperance I highly suggest you carry a full size spare tyre and jack, the chances of you getting damage to a near new set of quality tyres is low but if you do get a tyre failure the consequences can be very expensive and extremely frustrating.

Carrying a tyre repair kit is NOT sufficient, these are only useful for plugging small holes caused by tech screws, most tyre damage in regional areas is caused by a very rare but unavoidable pothole or a foreign object that’s fallen off another vehicle.

What about a space saver spare? For country roads these are crap, I can’t see the point of driving at slow speed for up to 300kms to the next town only to spend the next 3 days hanging around waiting for a replacement tyre to be transported in, best to carry a full size spare with plenty of remaining tread that will allow you to enjoy a stress free journey.

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June Casual Meetups

It goes without saying that a lot has happened since our last face-to-face casual meetup at Mia Cucina Café back in March this year. Between then and now, we have held two virtual casual meetups, a charging seminar and a joint AEVA/TOCWA charging infrastructure meeting – all utilizing the Zoom platform.

Last Friday the WA government announced a 100/300 rule for bars, restaurants and cafes and a reduced 2 square metre rule.

To that end, we a planning a phased return to normal face-to-face casual meetups starting at the Floreat Beach EV charger carpark adjacent to The Kiosk Floreat Beach (Challenger Parade, City Beach 6015) on Sunday, 7th June at 1:00pm. (The PlugShare reference for this charger is https://www.plugshare.com/location/226387 )

By primarily holding this meetup in the carpark, we’ll easily be able to maintain physical distancing while being able to duck into the Kiosk/Restaurant to get a coffee or bite to eat.

For those who can’t make it on Sunday (or like many of us, can’t resist a chat), we are also holding a Zoom meetup this Wednesday evening 3rd June at 7:30. See the members section for the Zoom link.

Casual meetups are open to everyone including those who have never seen a Tesla before.

It’s an ideal opportunity to meet club members and to also see the cars in the flesh which we are all passionate about.

We hope to see you there and look forward to chatting about all things Tesla.

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AEVA/TOCWA Fast DC Charging Infrastructure Update

AEVA (WA branch) and TOCWA are pleased to announce a jointly hosted (virtual) meeting to discuss Western Australia’s Fast DC Charging Infrastructure this Wednesday evening 27th May at 7:30.

This meeting will be held using the Zoom platform.

A direct link for the meeting and optional credentials are available in the members section.

We look forward to discussing progress made in the Perth to Esperance Fast DC Fundraiser project as well as how we can all help in progressing implementation of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategic Planning report of 2018 (which can be found at  https://api.research-repository.uwa.edu.au/portalfiles/portal/69370878/report.pdf )

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Everything you wanted to know about charging – A virtual meetup

Following the great success of our recent virtual casual meetup, we are pleased to announce that TOCWA will be hosting an EV charging seminar this coming Wednesday evening 20th May at 7:30. Like our previous meetup, we will all be participating online via the Zoom platform.

In the leadup to the seminar, we’re looking to compile a short list of charging questions and pro tips that may be of particular use to our newer members. Please send in any suggestions by noon Wednesday so we can compile them for the seminar.

We look forward to (virtually) seeing everyone on Wednesday – yet again clutching a favourite beverage!

Check out the posting in the Members section for the details to connect.

Lastly, for members who missed out on our first virtual meetup, or those who want to relive the experience, we have posted a video of the Zoom session on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSC0Z_4J4zMJO8ZuaXM0Mag

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Virtual Meetings

It was great to meet up on Wednesday from our own homes (and in some cases, cars!). Good to put new faces to names and chat.

We plan to have a more structured meeting soon with some of the key topics that came up, in more of a streamed format – stay tuned, and thanks again

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May Casual Meetup – Virtual

We are pleased to announce our May casual meetup is going ahead this coming Wednesday evening 6th May at 7:30. Unlike previous meetups, we will all be participating online via the Zoom platform.

In the leadup to the meeting, we’re looking to compile a short list of questions and pro tips that may be of particular use to our newer members. Please send in any suggestions by noon Wednesday so we can compile them for the meetup.

We look forward to (virtually) seeing everyone on Wednesday – possibly clutching a cheeky red, cool white, smooth spirit, or perhaps a wedge of lime drowning in a certain Mexican beer!

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TOCWA and COVID-19

It is, unfortunately, an understatement to say that circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus) are changing at an ever-increasing rate. A growing list of sporting, social and corporate events are being cancelled by the hour and several countries are imposing comprehensive bans on any form of group gatherings. Our next casual meetup is scheduled in Fremantle on 5th April 2020. Considering current developments, this event will not go ahead. It’s further prudent to postpone our following monthly meetups until there is governmental advice indicating that public gatherings can safely and appropriately resume.

In the meantime, be rest assured that TOCWA will continue all its other functions of supporting members and the wider Tesla community. Our loan adaptors will continue to be readily accessible and we are at hand to provide technical and advocacy support to anyone seeking it.