Everything Electric was on again in Sydney last weekend and it was a real eye-opener for many who were visiting for the first time. With more vehicles on display, new brands entering the market, and an ever-expanding charging sector, the momentum is undeniable.
Among the industry leaders soaking it all in was Claire Painter, Head of Business Development at JET Charge. Fleet EV News caught up with her to hear her thoughts on the event and what’s next for EV charging in Australia.
For Claire, this was her first time at Everything Electric, and she was blown away by how much the event has grown.
“This has been my first show. I’m Melbourne-based, so I hadn’t got up to Sydney for the previous years. But by all accounts, and by talking to people, the number of cars on display, the number of exhibitors has significantly increased from last year.”
That’s a big shift from a few years ago when the biggest complaint in the market was the lack of choice. Claire remembers when the industry was just hoping for more EV models to be available, and now, that wish has become reality.
“I was reflecting and talking to a few people as I wandered around, about where things were at in the Australian market five years ago, 10 years ago. I still remember the conversations where we just needed more vehicles. We needed more choice for consumers. And for me now, seeing all the new models coming to market and all the new brands coming to the market, I think, its showing that we’ve got there. We have more and more options in market for consumers across all segments. There are obviously some segments where we need more, but it shows we’re on the right path.”
Of course, vehicles are only part of the equation. The charging infrastructure space is evolving just as fast, and JET Charge is right in the thick of it. Claire noted that competition in the market is heating up, which is actually a great sign.
“More competition in the market shows you that there are consumers that want EVs, that need charging, which is all pointing us in the right direction.”
For fleet operators, charging remains one of the biggest barriers to electrification. That’s why JET Charge’s Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) model is gaining traction. Instead of organisations having to figure out the complexities of installing and managing charging infrastructure, JET Charge takes care of it all.
“The charging infrastructure is often seen still as the barrier for the fleet transition, and the Charging-as-a-Service product makes it that much easier for an organisation with a sizable fleet to make the transition.”
A big part of this solution is home and workplace charging—making sure fleet drivers have reliable access to charging, whether they’re at work or parked at home.
“Whether we’re installing chargers into employees’ homes for them, or we’re installing workplace charging, it’s taking the risk out of charging and making it much easier for chargers to get installed.”
JET Charge has kicked off the year in typical fast-paced fashion, and Claire doesn’t expect things to slow down anytime soon.
“The year started off busy as always at JET Charge—that’s just part and parcel in terms of interest in charging.”
With more fleets, businesses, and individuals making the switch to EVs, JET Charge is set for another big year ahead. Everything Electric made it clear: Australia’s EV transition is moving forward, and charging infrastructure is keeping pace.
For fleet managers looking to make the switch, Charging-as-a-Service is making it easier than ever to remove infrastructure headaches and start reaping the benefits of electrification.
