The first pole-mounted EV charger has been installed in the mid north coast town of Hawks Nest to trial the feasibility of rolling out the kerbside charging points on power poles across regional NSW.
The technology offers an alternative to at-home and highway-adjacent rapid charging stations, and allows users to charge at their destination or while stopping for an hour or more.
Australian startup EVX, which currently has agreements with Ausgrid, the City of Newcastle and City of Sydney, recently announced its first dual charger installation in Hawks Nest in partnership with Essential Energy and MidCoast council.
The company says the above-ground charging points can be installed on pre-existing infrastructure, which removes the need for major civil work.
Once the chargers are installed, drivers can download an app, scan the QR code on the charging point and start charging using their own cables.
Midcoast Mayor Claire Pontin said having readily available EV infrastructure will be a game changer for residents and visitors to the local area.
“These kerbside destination chargers will not only service the many locals who are becoming part of the global shift to EVs but also support our thriving tourism sector into the future as more people rely on EVs to travel longer distances,” she said.
“We know that ‘range anxiety’ is still a real problem for EV owners, whether you are a local or someone looking at where to go on holiday with their EV. We are pleased that the MidCoast region can show what is possible and be an example to other regional areas.”
Australia’s first pole mounted EV charged was installed in the Newcastle suburb of Mereweather last December.
Essential Energy’s Justin Hillier says the government owned corporation is working with other charge point providers and local councils to get more charge points installed on the network.
EVX, which is looking to partner with more electricity distributors and local councils, says the technology has been locally designed and manufactured and is compliant with Australian regulations.
Power distributor Ausgrid aims to aims to deliver up to 30,000 pole mounted EV chargers across its network by 2029.
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