Evie installs second ultra-fast EV charger in Tasmania, in petrol forecourt

Tasmania has opened its newest ultra-fast charging station for electric vehicles at the Shell Coles Express Brighton, roughly one hour north of Hobart.

The new rapid charging station is the second of three planned for Tasmania by Evie Networks, an Australian company founded on plans to roll out Australia’s largest electric vehicle fast charging network.

A first Tasmania fast-charging station was installed by Evie in August of last year in Campbell Town, roughly half way between Hobart and Launceston, to better link the two cities for EV drivers. It is one of 14 fast-charging stations that have successfully linked the entire state.

Evie said in a statement on Monday that the latest addition would connect Tasmania’s capital city with the island state’s southern wine trail, giving EV visitors the confidence to explore the iconic tourism destination.

Evie Networks CEO Chris Mills said the new fast charger station, installed in partnership with Viva Energy Australia, also represented a “natural response” to the uptake of EVs Tasmania, which ranked third-highest in Australia after the ACT and South Australia.

Tasmania is also somewhat ahead on EV policy in Australia, with the state’s Liberal government’s pledging to transition its vehicle fleet to 100% electric vehicles by 2030.

“Evie’s existing Tasmanian charger based in Campbell Town has the highest charging usage in the country and has supported over 50,000 electric kilometres to date,” Mills said.

“The numbers are speaking for themselves when it comes to the popularity of EVs in Tasmania with the state ahead of the curve, so we are investing in a market that supports us.”

Viva Energy’s alternative fuels manager Sandra Lau said the fast charger rollout was an exciting pilot program that would deliver valuable lessons about the challenges for future EV infrastructure.

“Viva Energy is delighted to be working in partnership with Evie Networks to explore EVs as a future energy solution that can fuel the desire Australians have for sustainable transport,” Lau said.

The 42-site roll-out of Evie Network’s ultra-fast charging network is being funded by a $35 million investment from the St Baker Energy Innovation Fund, as well as a $15 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.