Cooma, serving as the gateway to the Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales, offers several electric vehicle charging options for travelers heading to nearby alpine resorts. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the EV charging infrastructure available in Cooma as of my last update (October 2024):
NRMA Fast Charging Station
- Location: Sharp Street (Monaro Highway), near Centennial Park
- Type: DC Fast Charger
- Connectors: CCS2 and CHAdeMO
- Power: 50kW
- Access: Free for NRMA members, pay-as-you-go for non-members
- Operating hours: 24/7
- Notes: Strategically positioned for travelers heading to Jindabyne, Thredbo, and Perisher
Cooma Visitors Centre
- Location: 119 Sharp Street
- Type: AC destination charger
- Connectors: Type 2
- Power: 22kW
- Access: Public
- Operating hours: 24/7
- Notes: Convenient for tourists seeking information about the region
Alpine Hotel Cooma
- Location: 170 Sharp Street
- Type: AC destination charger
- Connectors: Type 2
- Power: 11kW
- Access: Hotel guests priority, available to patrons
- Notes: Good option while dining or staying at the hotel
Cooma Motor Lodge
- Location: 244 Sharp Street
- Type: Tesla Wall Connector + Type 2
- Power: 11kW
- Access: Primarily for guests
- Notes: Call ahead to confirm availability
Woolworths Cooma
- Location: 174 Sharp Street (Cooma Shopping Centre)
- Type: AC destination charger
- Connectors: Type 2
- Power: 7kW
- Access: Public (parking time limits may apply)
- Notes: Convenient for shopping while charging
Cooma’s strategic location makes it an important charging hub for EV travelers:
- It’s approximately 1 hour from Jindabyne and 1.5-2 hours from alpine resorts
- Many travelers stop to charge in Cooma before continuing their journey to the mountains
- The NRMA fast charger is particularly valuable for quick top-ups
- Charging facilities are generally less crowded than those at the alpine resorts
- Year-round operation makes Cooma a reliable charging location regardless of season
For travelers heading to the Snowy Mountains, Cooma provides an excellent opportunity to ensure your EV has sufficient charge before tackling the more challenging mountain roads and potentially colder conditions that can affect battery range.