Bell Hub EV network

[moa999]

Article in today's AFR (paywall) and similar tonight on Driven about Bell Hub.

Ex-Liberal leader in new venture to convert 60 car washes to EV charging stations

Sixty car washes around Australia are going to be turned into ultra-fast EV charging stations, with onsite batteries and solar panels.

thedriven.io

Basic website at present - Bell Hub | Ultra-fast Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations | 2021

But appear to have acquired/ optioned a bunch of carwash sites on which the plan to install solar panels, batteries and EV charging equipment.
Looking at ABB 175kW and 350kW units.

Suggesting pricing as low of 10c/kWh (though the Driven article seems to suggest this might be time of day dependent).

Corporate holding company that they are trying to list has the Bell Resources name (part of Alan Bond's story).

An interesting comment in the AFR article that charging stations can't be within 12m of fuel pumps or vents, which prevents many operators installing EV chargers.

Certainly in my part of Sydney most carwash operators use a lot of shade cloths, so I guess this could be replaced with a solar roof.

 

[AussieOwner]

Lets see if this comes to Western Victoria as we have a drought of chargers out this way compared to other areas of Victoria.

 

[moa999]

Lets see if this comes to Western Victoria as we have a drought of chargers out this way compared to other areas of Victoria.

Many car washes in the area though?

I'd think Western and South-Eastern Vic is more likely to get chargers in the next round of the Charging the Regions rollout.

 

[AussieOwner]

The issue is there is huge gaps in the infrastructure for this area of the world

 

[moa999]

Thought I'd look up the companies website.
No more info other than dates shifted in some places to 2022.

And no more press other than that mid-2021 AFR article.

They did however upload a new somewhat cheesy (and obviously filmed in the US) video to their YT.

 

[moa999]

Another article in the AFR on 24 Jan.

Reportedly signed a mandate with undisclosed institution to raise $150m equity and $40m debt by end of March.
Has 60+ sites on its book to purchase, and wants 300.

 

[AussieOwner]

I too enjoy rubbing my lights whilst charging……said no one ever.

 

[Chuq]

Newer video popped up on Linkedin 2 days ago - basically the same as this one from YouTube:

Not much content, except for the dog washes!

Apparently "coming in 2022" still... halfway through the year, so a pretty bold claim.

 

[Hairyman]

Not holding my breath for this one.

 

[AussieOwner]

Scam company? Ive never heard of them and they are saying they will have "hubs across Australia"? Even if they bought an existing servo brand (big money), they would have to fit them out which takes months.

 

[Chuq]

Scam company? Ive never heard of them and they are saying they will have "hubs across Australia"? Even if they bought an existing servo brand (big money), they would have to fit them out which takes months.

Hmm, a bit more info about them here if you want to deep dive - About Bell Resources | The Convenient #1 Next Generation Resources Company Https://bellresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/[email protected]

 

[AussieOwner]

Its just all promo stuff from their website. Ill believe it when I see it. I am still waiting for the Evie charger to be built in all the promised locations

 

[Hairyman]

Gotta say the brand Bell Resources carries a lot of baggage. Without in anyway suggesting impropriety, it is a curious choice.

 

[scully]

EV charging challenger says drivers will pay for convenience and speed

Mark Avery says he is closing in on a $155 million raising for a network of EV charging sites that will feature coffee shops, car washing and even dog washing.

www.afr.com

 

[Hairyman]

EV charging challenger says drivers will pay for convenience and speed

Mark Avery says he is closing in on a $155 million raising for a network of EV charging sites that will feature coffee shops, car washing and even dog washing.

www.afr.com

Thanks. I’m sure we’ll all keep watching.

 

[moa999]

So still looking to launch in 2022. October targeted. Using Siemens equipment, but charging rates up to $0.50-0.60/kWh.

But all subject to fundraising.

My watchlist of EV charging stocks in the US shows they have been smashed recently.

Chargepoint from a $40 high in 2021 closed at $12 overnight
Volta (on whom Jolt is somewhat based) from a $14 high closed at $1.65
Blink from over $50 to $14.24

 

[Vostok]

My watchlist of EV charging stocks in the US shows they have been smashed recently.

It will be hard to make a buck out of running a DCFC network - they need high occupancy to generate sufficient revenue, but high occupancy means queueing and poor CX.

 

[moa999]

Looked at the website. Pretty unchanged, other than now saying Coming 2024.

I also note pre recent AFR article that one of the major carwash chains - Star Carwash (with 150 sites) has mandated Grant Samuel for a possible sale.

Star Car Wash on the block, Grant Samuel at the wheel

Street Talk understands Grant Samuel will target private equity firms, service station owners and even large retailers.

www.afr.com