Chargefox network bought out by motoring clubs

[Onshore]

NRMA et al, have staged a full buyout of Chargefox


Plan to double network size in 3 years

Motoring clubs to double size of Australia's biggest EV charging network after buyout

Motoring groups take full ownership of Australia's biggest electric vehicle charging network, Chargefox, and will double its size in three years.

thedriven.io

 

[RobDickinson]

Hmm is there potential gov funding now for more chargers?

 

[aegidius]

A potential for better maintenance of existing infrastructure, and buildout of new. A fella can dream.

 

[Loxmyf]

3 months later... "yeah, turns out we can't get parts for them either. So sorry."

 

[Stratman]

......hopefully some new found focus fix the mud quagmire in front of the stalls at Gundagai and of course the faulty second station 4504 .....

 

[Chuq]

Hmm is there potential gov funding now for more chargers?

Not any more or less funding than there was previously.

Chargefox already had the contract for the South Australian Government's 50+ site fast charging network, and ARENA Future Fuels funding for 16 sites in metro Adelaide/Perth. So nothing will change in this regard.

But these were happening anyway - no matter who the owners were.

If there was further funding, I guess it might put them in a better position to bid for more grants?

 

[moa999]

Chargefox had won Arena funding in Adelaide and Perth
Chargefox had won SA Govt funding
Both obviously well positioned for the NSW Government funding.

NRMA announcement

NRMA Expands its investment in Australia's EV future with Chargefox

The NRMA has today revealed the next step in its strategy to play a lead role in the electrification of Australia’s transport future with the acquisition of Chargefox by the Australian Motoring Service (AMS).

www.mynrma.com.au

Also noted that NRMA itself (not AMS) has a minority investment in EHT

NRMA backs electrifying Tasmania

The NRMA has announced a minority investment into Electric Highway Tasmania (EHT) to fast track the charging infrastructure needed to connect Tasmania.

www.mynrma.com.au

 

[Chuq]

Also noted that NRMA itself (not AMS) has a minority investment in EHT

If you had've asked me a year ago, I would have said to expect Chargefox to buy EHT at some point. They're like the Chargefox Tas subsidiary. They use Chargefox for billing, they're going to use Kempower, Marty Andrews is an investor/director of EHT...

Now has this gone out the window, or (with NRMA being an AMS member) is it even more likely?

 

[moa999]

Guess it depends on the other owners of EHT - you've got to have a willing seller.
AMS is probably better aligned with some of the initial objectives of EHT.

But will be interesting to see what happens with EHT, and indeed the NRMAs own network as a result of this (it's not like the other AMS members have similar assets).

No doubt also the timing of current electricity price increases, combined with a tightening funding market for early stage companies has helped this transaction happen.

 

[RareEarth]

......hopefully some new found focus fix the mud quagmire in front of the stalls at Gundagai and of course the faulty second station 4504 .....

Yes I saw a Leaf nearly get bogged there a couple of weeks ago.

 

[RareEarth]

When I was there and took that photo, one of the 350kW units was off, now it seems both are, leaving only the 50kW unit.
Before they get too excited about new rollouts, how about the new owners adopt some sort of maintenance policy?

 

[whoistheg]

What’s in it for the Motor clubs ? .. most of the money for new chargers is coming from joint ARENA funding? Once the petrol stations start deploying a lot more chargers will they keep these around of sell them off ?

 

[Maximillan]

What’s in it for the Motor clubs ? .. most of the money for new chargers is coming from joint ARENA funding? Once the petrol stations start deploying a lot more chargers will they keep these around of sell them off ?

They've got a dying business model, mainly due to car manufacturers and insurers bundling in Roadside assistance and the expectation that EVs will require less call outs for assistance. Mainly due to the former they're seeing a reduction of members, and getting into the energy supply game is seen as a way of ensuring the long term survival of their business.

 

[Pixor]

I hear they are deploying Kempower chargers in the future, which from Bjorn’s videos are modular, more sophisticated and reliable compared with the Tritium ones.

 

[moa999]

I hear they are deploying Kempower chargers in the future, which from Bjorn’s videos are modular, more sophisticated and reliable compared with the Tritium ones.

Kempower are more like Tesla superchargers with centralised cabinets and the stations.

How reliable they are in Australia conditions with heat, dust and dirt, and Australian distances and pay rates will be interesting.
But Tritium have unfortunately provided them with the opportunity.

Remember that Chargefoxs first 350kW units were ABB. They shifted to Tritium and haven't looked back until now.

 

[Stratman]

A couple of weeks ago I found the +35 times I used the 50kw Tritium charges going from Melbourne to Townsville and back were very reliable and just worked. After a while 50kw begins to feel a bit slow on 6,300kms long trip tho. Seemed on Chargefox wherever there where double 350kw charges usually one of them was down.

 

[RobDickinson]

50kw is slow esp on a tesla as they are usually 40-42kw due to voltages...

 

[jamesgo]

It's 40-42kw as its spending the other 8kw on heating the pack, as there isn't preconditioning with non tesla superchargers (though supposedly that was coming).

It should get close to 50kw if the battery pack is warm

 

[doggy1]

It should get close to 50kw if the battery pack is warm

Hm, that has not been my experience. After a couple of hours climbing 1,000metres max 42 to 44kW for my 2021 3LR (MIC). Several occasions now. I'm not complaining, but maybe there are also local electrical supply limitations. Pack above 45degC so not heating.

 

[RobDickinson]

It's 40-42kw as its spending the other 8kw on heating the pack, as there isn't preconditioning with non tesla superchargers (though supposedly that was coming).

It should get close to 50kw if the battery pack is warm

Dont know about your ozzie ones but its usually an amps/volts thing not a cold pack (at least here)