A new ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging station has opened in Victoria, allowing drivers to charge their car in just 15 minutes.
Operated by Ampol and Evie Networks, the (currently Caltex branded) site in Avenel, 130km north of Melbourne, is the first of six Ampol EV sites set to open within the next 12 months across Victoria and New South Wales.
The site has two bays for EV using Evie’s 350-kilowatt Tritium technology, which delivers charging within 15 minutes. The bays will operate 24/7 and all electricity used at the charging sites will be 100% accredited GreenPower procured from renewable generators.
The pilot station will used as a test for how EV charging can be best integrated into traditional service station forecourts, said Ampol’s Executive General Manager (Strategy and Corporate Development) Alan-Stuart-Grant.
“Our national network of retail sites, along Australia’s major highways and close to existing high-traffic road infrastructure in metropolitan areas, makes us uniquely placed to play a key role in the delivery of EV charging,” Mr Stuart-Grant said.
“We’re proud to partner with Evie Networks who bring strong EV charging expertise and a quality network that will ensure we continue to build our knowledge of services and technologies that will shape our future. We look forward to welcoming EV customers to our Avenel store.”
The sites have been supported through both the St Baker Energy Innovation Fund and a recoupable grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and will see Evie’s portfolio grow to be the largest EV charging network in Australia and put the company one step closer to building a national network, said Evie’s CRO Chris Mills.
“Partnerships with trusted brands, like Ampol, help us deliver our mission to accelerate EV adoption in Australia. Using Evie Networks’ cutting edge-technology helps our host partners showcase their sustainability credentials as well as returning solid commercial benefits from increased foot traffic and convenience sales while EV customers are on site.”