Australia’s first commercial EV fast-charging stations rolled out in Qld

Australia’s first commercial electric vehicle charging stations are being rolled across five sites in Queensland, using the state’s home-grown Veefil fast charger technology by Brisbane company Tritium.

The stations, the first of which has been installed at the Noosa Blue Resort in Noosa Heads, are being developed by ASX-listed energy retailer Locality Planning Energy, and will offer electric vehicle battery recharging at a rate 25 times faster than a standard home charger, but for the same cost.

LPE says the stations will also be the the first in Australia to sell electricity to an EV at a rate cheaper on a km-to-km basis than fuel for a traditional combustion engine vehicle.

The retailer says drivers will pay for the exact amount of electricity used to recharge their vehicles, making it as cost effective as home charging.

A dedicated mobile phone app will also allow drivers to check the charging station’s availability, reserve a space and monitor their car’s charging progress.

“The charging station marks an exciting development for electric vehicles owners and we are thrilled to combine the power of Tritium’s cutting-edge and award winning technology with our embedded electricity network to make charging faster, easier and more cost effective than ever before,” said LPE director and CEO Damien Glanville.

“With advanced infrastructure that makes EV charging more convenient and accessible, we hope to accelerate the adoption of EVs across Australia and enable greater flexibility for drivers.

“Trips between Noosa and Brisbane (140km / 87miles) are now possible and journeys to further destinations will soon be a reality.”

For Tritium, the LPE project is another feather in its cap; the company was recently announced as the first beneficiary of the Queensland government’s $40 million Business Development Fund, with an investment of $2.5 million towards producing an even higher power Veefil unit, that can give EVs as much as 150km of range per 10 minutes of charge.

It has had considerable success in overseas markets including New Zealand and California, and has tripled its manufacturing capability, with the move to a new, larger high-tech production facility.