Shifting gears on electric cars: EVX targets EV charging

The availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is one of the primary barriers to EV uptake in Australia, according to chief executive of EVX, Andrew Forster. 

EVX is an EV charging infrastructure and technology company with a mission to provide public charging infrastructure across Australia with the support of private enterprise and local government. 

The Australian tech company has recently announced a partnership with UK-based Connected Kerb to roll out 1000 EV charging stations across the country over the next two years. 

The proposed infrastructure rollout aims to improve upon the long-dwell EV charging landscape in Australia. 

Long-dwell refers to charging points where EVs are parked to charge for multiple hours. 

The time it takes to charge an EV is also a significant challenge facing the transition away from petrol and diesel, which EVX co-founder Sean McGinty recognises. 

“I think there needs to be a mindset shift. Australians have been used to getting fuel for their vehicles in an instant but as we transition to EVs at scale, EV charging infrastructure needs to serve both fast and long-dwell scenarios,” he said. 

A typical EV with a 60kWh battery can take just under 8 hours to charge an empty battery to capacity at a 7kWh charging station, according to Pod Point. However, the charging time can differ greatly depending on the car and the charging technology used. 

So, the challenge is two-fold: the availability of charging stations and the time it takes to fill the tank. 

More EV charging means a lot more investment

With estimates of 3 million EVs on Australian roads by 2030, according to McKinsey & Co., the demand for charging infrastructure could require 2.8 million charging points and $18 billion worth of investment over the next eight years. 

As of 2021, there were just under 3,500 public EV chargers in Australia – a far cry from the almost 3 million required by 2030’s estimates. 

This is why EVX is proposing to work with local councils, utility distributors, EV makers, property developers and other business owners to create a “robust” charging network, which it claims will not only provide Australian EV owners with a “hassle-free” ownership experience but will also incentivise stakeholders with the promise of new income streams. 

“We understand the availability of public EV charging points is one of the primary barriers to making the transition away from petrol or diesel-powered cars towards electric vehicles, and we’ve made it our mission to take the lead in removing this barrier here in Australia,” Forster said.

“EVX’s mission is to deliver affordable and robust public charging infrastructure, for everyone that needs it. Given the rapid adoption of EV’s in urban areas, we expect EVX’s existing and future solutions to become more heavily utilised as we roll out this critical infrastructure,” he concluded.

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