Electric vehicle owners and users will soon be able to enjoy free, fast charging across Sydney thanks to a partnership between Ausgrid and JOLT, Australia’s newest electric vehicle charging network. In a world first initiative, existing Ausgrid streetside kiosks will be transformed into state-of-the-art charging stations for electric vehicles, with the first stations to be installed in Hornsby and Northern Beaches council areas. Ausgrid CEO Richard Gross and JOLT CEO Doug McNamee welcomed Minister for Environment and Energy Matt Kean to inspect the prototype for the charging kiosk.
‘I’m excited Ausgrid is part of this vision which is taking existing, essential community infrastructure and giving it new life to provide a free service for electric vehicle users,’ Mr Gross said.
‘This is the future of energy. With this partnership, we are supporting the electrification of transport by giving our customers and community access to renewable energy choices, making it easier for people to charge their vehicles and using 100 per cent green energy.’ Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said he’s supportive of any initiative to encourage electric car use.
‘I have my own electric car and they are great. As we strive to reach Net Zero by 2050, we need to encourage as many people as possible to use them,’ Mr Kean said.
‘The NSW Government is committed to getting more electric vehicles on the road and these free charging stations are a great incentive and a key step in the ongoing transition towards cleaner transport options.’ JOLT CEO Doug McNamee said he hopes to rollout hundreds of charging kiosks across the Ausgrid network.
‘We have developed our free fast charge network to solve the major barriers to Electric Vehicle ownership, which are access to charging, cost and range anxiety. With free fast charging we hope more people embrace electric vehicle ownership in NSW.’ Mr McNamee said.
‘These charging stations will allow people to pull up, plug in and be on their way again after 15 minutes.’ Customers will be able to sign up via an app which will switch on the charger and provide 15 minutes or 45 kilometres free of charge. Users looking for more than 7kWh can pay for further energy. The first kiosks are due to open in the coming months.
