400 new fast chargers across Australia as part of $24m Future Fuels Fund splurge

Australia’s fast-charging network for electric vehicles has been given a huge boost that should send the number of installations soaring after the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) today announced $24.55 million in funding from its Future Fuels Fund.

On behalf of the Australian Government, ARENA announced the funds would be shared between  five applicants and 19 projects around the country, as part of which Ampol will install fast-charing bays at more than 100 of its service stations.

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The $24.55m figure was an increase on the initial allocation of $16.5m, and that rise in investment was made after ARENA declared itself impressed by the strength and quantity of applicants for the funding dollars.

The successful bidders include Evie Networks, which will received $8.85 million for the delivery of 158 public fast-charging stations across eight regions.

Another $6.85 million will go to IPAH Client Solutions Australia Pty Ltd (Engie) to provide103 public fast-charging stations across four regions, while Chargefox will provide 16 more across two regions with its grant of $1.4m, and Electric Highways Tasmania will use $400,000 to build five public fast-chargers in its state.

Ampol’s initiative to put 50kW fast chargers on its sites in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Geelong, will be co-funded, with $7.05 million from ARENA and $7m from the oil company itself. The rollout will begin in the second half of 2021.

Ampol’s Managing Director and CEO Matt Halliday said: “Electrification and electric vehicles will play a critical role in reducing emissions across Australia’s transport sector over the coming years. Today’s announcement highlights the key role our existing network, skills and infrastructure will play in delivering EV charging to Australian consumers.

“Ampol’s national retail network, along Australia’s major highways and close to existing high-traffic roads, closely matches our country’s population and is strategically located to help minimise range anxiety for EV users. 

“We remain confident in our ability to evolve our retail network to support battery electric vehicle adoption.”

In total, the five successful applicants for the Future Fuels Fund money will deliver 403 new fast-charging stations, resulting in a even-fold increase in the number of fast chargers in Australia’s most populated cities and regions.

“As the costs of electric vehicles come down, more consumers and fleet users are looking to go electric. Expanding the fast charging network will make it easier than ever to drive an EV in Australia,” ARENA CEO Darren Miller said.

“The proposals we received were of such high quality, we were compelled to increase the funding. We’re delighted to be able to support more than 400 charging stations across the country.”