Electric vehicle (EV) charging provider Evie Networks has opened its latest fast charger, at a location that has been strategically placed to open up travel from Sydney to the Blue Mountains.
The three-park site at the new Caddens Corner shopping centre in Kingswood, Western Sydney consists of one 50kW DC fast charging unit as well as a 22kW AC unit.
The 22kW unit, which can top up EV battery range with 120km in an hour, is aimed at those using the charging spot as a “destination charger” while shopping at the centre.
The 50kW rapid charger – made by Australia’s Tritium – is a game changing addition for those living or travelling in Sydney’s west and beyond.
Linking the two nearest 50kW fast chargers on the busy Sydney to Blue Mountains route, which are located at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush, and Lithgow Workers Club over the other side of the range, the spot will provide a much-needed boost for those wanting to travel with “range confidence”.
“Evie Networks is thrilled to be providing EV drivers with the confidence and freedom to travel around the city and beyond,” Evie Networks CEO Chris Mills said in a note by email.
“Our latest fast charging site at Caddens Corner supports the local EV community as well as opens up travel to the Blue Mountain’s incredible scenery and history.
“The site provides an ideal customer experience for charging with the latest retail offerings. Drivers can conveniently grab a bite to eat or pick up some groceries while they charge their vehicles.”
The new 22/50kW site is in addition to seven out of 42 ultra-rapid charging sites rolled out by the EV network in just a little over twelve months, with its first site unveiled at Coochin Creek on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in November 2019.
Evie Networks, which along with Tritium is backed by Australian coal baron Trevor St Baker’s St Baker Energy Innovation fund, is taking a “ring and link” approach in deciding network locations.
It has chosen key outer city suburbs for its fast charger location that will allow drivers to top up again after depleting batteries driving through high traffic areas before hitting the open road, as well as a number of highway sites to compliment fellow charging network provider Chargefox.
Mills says the Evie Networks sites, also ensure that drivers are truly able to achieve zero emissions driving with their EVs by purchasing renewable energy for every kilowatt hour used.
“Our network, powered by 100% renewable energy, is set to be the largest fast and ultra-fast EV charging network in Australia,” says Mills.
“Catering to the range of needs of NSW EV drivers is essential to achieve our mission to give EV owners across the country the freedom to travel anywhere.”
With an official opening including free charging and demonstrations slated for Saturday, the new charging site has already sparked the interest of local EV drivers.
“Finally DC fast charging coming to Penrith,” said Twitter user and EV driver “DrSally“.
Local EV driver “SydEV” snapped a number of photos during the week of his family’s Tesla Model 3 and Mitsubishi i-Miev trying out the new charging site.
“A huge thank you to @EvieNetworks and #CaddensCorner for this much needed #infrastructure in Western Sydney at the base of the Blue Mountains,” he said.
#Sydney newest #DC fast chargers are now officially OPEN! A huge thank you to @EvieNetworks and #CaddensCorner for this much needed #infrastructure in Western Sydney at the base of the Blue Mountains. pic.twitter.com/zRRYvwRwjZ
— ????SydEV (@sydney_ev) November 19, 2020
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated the Caddens Corner DC charger has a top rate of 350kW, and has been corrected to state 50kW.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.