If you weren’t sure about the viability of electric vehicles in Australia, the purchase of Chargefox by the Australian Motoring Service (AMS) should change your mind.
Chargefox is the biggest and fastest growing open charging network in Australia for modern EVs. It has been operating charging stations across Australia and New Zealand since late 2017 and has managed more than 500,000 charging sessions for drivers via its iPhone and Android mobile apps.
The acquisition will see Chargefox refocus with renewed support on its ambitious target to have more than 5,000 EV plugs to be made available at stations across the country and 2,000 of those offering fast and/or ultra-rapid charging speeds (allowing you to charge to 80% or more during a coffee break).
The AMS is made up of Australian Mobility Clubs including the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAC, RAA and RACT and after increasing its shareholding position, the AMS is now the sole owner of Chargefox.
Chargefox, Australia’s largest EV charging network, will continue to operate as usual and will refocus with renewed support on its ambitious target to have more than 5,000 EV plugs across the country by the end of 2025, providing greater EV charging options and reducing emissions across the country.
As the largest member of AMS, the NRMA continues to expand its investment in fast-charging infrastructure. Its existing fast-charging network across NSW and the ACT is Australia’s largest and is set to expand further with a recently announced partnership with the Australian Government to build 117 fast charging sites across the national highway network.
The NRMA’s electrification footprint across Australia is growing through all its businesses including:
- NRMA’s investment in Electric Highway Tasmania last week that aims to provide 27 charging locations across the island by mid-2023.
- NRMA’s car & truck rental company SIXT Australia commitment to convert half of their 16,000 nationwide rental fleet to electric within five years.
- NRMA electric ferries revolutionising the future of transport on Sydney Harbour.
NRMA Group CEO Rohan Lund said as Australia’s largest Mutual representing more than 2.7 million Members the NRMA was ideally placed to play a key leadership role in the nation’s transport sector transition to electric vehicles.
“Australia is not immune to the global transition away from fossil fuels in transport and towards sustainable energy sources and we must make significant steps now to ensure the nation is not left behind, this is why today’s investment by Australia’s motoring clubs is so important,” Mr Lund said.
“Between us we represent over 8.5 million motorists nationwide and they are looking to their motoring clubs to show leadership in this space. The acquisition of Chargefox by the NRMA and its sister clubs is just the latest in a series of significant steps taken by the NRMA to help lead this transition.
“The impact Chargefox has already had on Australia’s transport is impressive – over 14 million carbon-free kilometres charged and growing – and this will grow significantly with today’s announcement.
“It is widely accepted that electric vehicles will appear in far greater numbers on Australian roads in the coming years and the NRMA is committed to ensuring the nation has the infrastructure it needs to deliver on this transition.”
