An Australian start-up company claims it will install an additional 1000 street-side electric-car chargers across the nation by 2025, with the first examples planned for early next year.
An Australian start-up company has claimed it plans to install more than 1000 street-side electric-car chargers across the nation within the next two years – to support owners who only have access to on-street parking.
Electrical infrastructure start-up EVX said the chargers can be installed in bollards and light poles.
While the charging plugs and interface are located above ground, the power source and management system for the chargers are encased in a steel box underground.
According to EVX, the chargers will be located in spaces where an electric-car would typically be parked for approximately one to two hours.
EVX CEO and co-founder Andrew Foster says the company has been undertaking testing, adaptation, manufacturing and validation of its first 10 chargers in Australia.
EVX says it is yet to announce the specifications of its electric-car chargers, although the company’s website shows two 22kW charging points.
“We understand the availability of public electric-car charging points is one of the primary barriers to making the transition away from petrol or diesel-powered cars towards electric cars, and we’ve made it our mission to take the lead in removing this barrier here in Australia,” Mr Foster said in a media statement.
“EVX’s mission is to deliver affordable and robust public charging infrastructure, for everyone that needs it.”
Year-to-date sales of new electric cars in Australia have increased by nearly 500 per cent compared to the same period in 2021, with 23,869 battery-powered vehicles reported as sold between January and October 2022 (compared to 4029 examples over the same period 12 months ago).
Mr Foster says EVX’s first electric-car chargers are due to become available to the public between January and March 2023.
EVX is not the only Australian company which is developing and installing roadside chargers for urban areas.
Last week, Melbourne’s Port Phillip Council announced it will allow homeowners to take part in an infrastructure trial which will result in personal electric-car chargers being installed on public land.
Developed and produced by Australian start-up Kerb Charge, the electric-car charger is connected to a home’s electricity supply – dropping below the pavement when it is locked and rising up to 35cm above ground level when unlocked.
According to Kerb Charge, its pop-up charger is flood-proof and approved for use by Energy Safe Victoria.
In a media statement, the Port Phillip Council said residents who participate in the trial will have to pay “about $6000” for the installation of the charger – a price which does not include the $124 permit and $100 annual fee.
In August, the Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced it had allocated $871,000 towards utilities firm Intellihub for the installation of 50 electric car chargers on street-side power poles throughout New South Wales.
The $2 million trial will initially be rolled out in seven Sydney council areas and two Newcastle/Hunter region councils.
Schneider Electric is set to provide the electric car chargers, while the service will be managed by EVSE. Origin Energy is set to supply renewable power to the network.
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