Australia’s biggest public electric vehicle charge network, Chargefox, is increasing the pricing at its fastest 350kW DC stations by 50 per cent.
Having launched in 2018 with a price of $0.40 per kWh, the 350kW ultra-rapid chargers will cost $0.60 per kWh from May 9, 2022.
Based on those prices, the cost of charging a Tesla Model S with its 95kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery pack from 0 to 100 per cent using a 350kW Chargefox station will rise from $38 to $57.
The price rise brings Chargefox into line with the Evie network, which also charges $0.60 per kWh for 350kW charging.
“Pricing for our ultra-rapid (up to 350kW) chargers was set back in 2018 at $0.40 per kWh and hasn’t changed in the nearly four years since,” the company said in an email to customers.
“When our introductory pricing period ends for these chargers on 9th May 2022, charging fees will increase to $0.60 per kWh.”
Pricing for the Chargefox network of 50kW chargers won’t change, and members of Australian motoring clubs (all of which invest in Chargefox) still receive discounts starting at 20 per cent.
Buyers of some new electric cars are offered free charging as part of a manufacturer deal; those deals remain in place despite the price rise.
Chargefox says its network currently consists of over 1400 plugs, and includes standard AC (22kW), fast (50kW) and ultra-rapid (350kW) chargers.
Around 850 plugs are publicly-available, with 300 fast charging plugs and 22 ultra-rapid.
Chargefox has announced it’ll add another 4000 plugs to its network by the end of 2025, of which 2000 will offer 50kW or 350kW ultra-rapid charging speeds.
It’s one of five Australian companies to receive a share in a Federal grant to build more than 400 electric car fast-charging stations.
Together the five applicants are expected to deliver 403 new DC stations, each capable of charging at least two vehicles concurrently. The delivery time frame remains unclear.
Charging stations are to be built across eight geographic regions covering 14 of Australia’s most populous cities. These include all capitals and regional centres including Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Sunshine Coast.
