The battle over service station EV charging
A battle is brewing over where and how to lure drivers to the growing number of fast charging stations being opened as part of an expanding electric vehicle charging network across the country.
While traditional fuel retailers are dipping their toes in the EV charging water, the head of Australia’s largest charging network – Chargefox – is looking elsewhere.
Chargefox CEO Marty Andrews isn’t convinced service stations are the best place to install EV fast charging points.
“We’ve spoken to all of the fuel retailers,” says Andrews. “We don’t have any specific plans in place with any of them.
“The jury is out a bit with the EV infrastructure world about charging on service station forecourts.”
Andrews believes regional service stations could work for EV charging, but reasons that in suburban areas there are locations that make more sense.
“Chargers will end up at places [people] go already,” Andrews says. “They’ll be at the shopping centre they go to so they can go and charge while they watch a movie or do their grocery shopping. Wherever you park your car and leave it for a while is an opportunity for a car charger.”
He says special trips to service stations won’t make much sense to people in major areas, especially as many may have access to charging at home.
“You don’t necessarily need to go somewhere just for the purpose of charging.”
Not that the disinterest has dissuaded the fuel giants, which are exploring ways to remain relevant in a world set to switch to electric cars.
Caltex recently announced plans to roll out fast charging outlets across six sites across NSW and Victoria as part of a partnership with Evie Networks and dipping into a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
As it transitions the Caltex brand to Ampol, the company is looking to add EV chargers.
To eventually use the born-again Ampol branding that Caltex is transitioning to, the Tritium chargers will supply up to 350kW, allowing an 80 percent charge in as little as 15 minutes.
One of the early charging stations at Taree in country NSW positions two Tritium chargers within a short stroll of the main forecourt and nearby fast food restaurants.
“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,” says Alan Stuart-Grant, Ampol’s executive general manager, strategy and corporate development.
Rival BP has set a target of net zero emissions for its operations by 2050 and has begun rolling out fast chargers at its stations in the UK.
It’s understood BP is exploring opportunities regarding EV charging sites within its Australian network, although at the moment there are no fixed plans.
