Electric vehicle charging network operator Chargefox – which describes itself as the biggest in the country – has announced a rate rise for many of its EVfast-chargers, blaming the rising cost of electricity for the jump.
In a statement this week, Chargefox said the cost of charging at 20 of its 50kW fast charging sites would rise to 45c/kWh from 40c/kWh.
Over recent months the cost of electricity has increased and as a result we have been forced to increase prices at select Chargefox owned and operated 50kWh fast-charging stations,” it said.
However, it said the rise would only apply to 20 of its 50kW stations in NSW and Victoria, and prices of its ultra-fast charging station, which can operate at up to 350kW – depending on the ability of the car battery – will stay the same at 60c/kWh.
“Other EV charging services in Australia have increased prices right across their networks in response to higher energy costs,” it said.
“In contrast, prices at the hundreds of ultra-rapid charging stations owned and operated by Chargefox remain unaffected. Our 350kW ultra-rapid charging stations, which are capable of adding up to 400km of range in less than 15 minutes, will continue to offer the lowest ultra-rapid rate in Australia at 60c per kWh.
“And they are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.”
The list of affected charging stations can be found on its website.
Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of The Driven, and also edits and founded the Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites. He has been a journalist for nearly 40 years, is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review, and owns a Tesla Model 3.