If your fleet drivers are regular users of public charging infrastructure for the electric cars in the fleet, get ready to pay more. EVIE Networks has advised customers that prices will increase from 18th January 2024. The reason is not related to wholesale electricity prices, they need to recover the cost of installing and maintaining the EV charging infrastructure.
In an email to customers last week they outlined the increase by charger speed and provided the following reason calling it a price adjustment rather than price increase.
This decision is driven by our commitment to investing in a top-notch, reliable, and expansive charging network across the country.
Evie Networks
The table below provides the scope of the price changes.
| Charger Speed | Old Price per kWh | New Price per kWh | % Increase |
| 22kW | $0.35 | $0.50 | 43% |
| 50kW | $0.50 | $0.58 | 16% |
| 150kW | $0.60 | $0.68 | 13% |
| 350kW | $0.65 | $0.73 | 12% |
With over 200 EV charging locations around the country (100 were added last year), Evie are one of the largest public networks available to private EV owners and fleets. This decision sends a signal to other providers of public charging and will probably be the first of several market increases as investors demand a return on the significant investments being made to gain a first mover advantage.
In NSW, the State Government is partnering with several providers to increase the number of public EV charging stations by providing funding. ARENA has also provided funding for several organisations.
A contribution towards the initial construction costs is a great way to engage with private entities where the business case may not be commercially viable. However, it appears from this announcement that the network operators are able to increase prices once the honeymoon is over without any connection to the actual cost of electricity.
It’s early days in the national EV transition with Fleet Managers still working through their EV charging strategies. Some organisations will be able to rely on workplace charging using free solar and pricing from wholesale electricity contracts, Others, like novated lease drivers, will be able to access free solar at home and competitive retail electricity offers.
If using a public network will be the main source of EV charging for your fleet vehicles as they transition to zero emissions, then negotiating a fixed price wholesale rate with a preferred charging network should be part of the plan to shield your budgets from ad-hoc price increases.
