Ampol’s electric charge
AMPOL has won a major share of federal funding for the nation’s electric vehicle fastcharging station rollout as it positions to “expand our role in electricity” ahead of a looming battle over who will supply the energy needs of future drivers.
The fuel retailer, along with Trevor St Baker’s Evie Networks and French energy company Engie, won the lion’s share of funding announced by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on Friday to roll out 403 fastcharging stations nationwide.
Each station will be able to charge two vehicles.
Ampol will deliver 121 stations, Evie 158, and Engie 103.
Chargefox will build 16 and Electric Highways Tasmania another five.
The foray into fast-charging stations by Ampol, and Evie’s strategy stated on Friday to tackle fuel retailers head-on when it comes to vehicle charging, is a forerunner of what appears to be a looming seismic shift in the fuel sector.
Ampol, which currently has just five pilot charging sites, told the ASX on Friday that its ambition was to expand its energy delivery reach beyond the traditional service station forecourt.
“E-mobility infrastructure is a central pillar to capturing our existing customer base through the energy transition, as we look to expand our role in electricity to make the ease of the current liquid fuels era translate into the future battery electric vehicle environment,’’ managing director Matt Halliday said.
“This includes exploring ‘at-forecourt’, ‘at-home’ and ‘at-destination’ solutions.”
Ampol said it expected electric vehicles would play a key role in “decarbonising the transport sector and gradually displace internal combustion engines, particularly in the light passenger fleet, accelerating rapidly after 2030 to become the primary mobility energy source by 2050.’’
But the vertically integrated Evie is not about to stand by and let the traditional fuel retailers stake their claim on the emerging sector.
Evie chief executive Chris Mills said the company would build a $30m fast-charging network over the next three years and would use data harvested from a fleet of electric vehicles that it leased out to Uber drivers to identify the best sites to locate stations.
“We will be taking on traditional fuel retailers head-on when it comes to convenience,” Mr Mills said.
“By locating chargers at these points, drivers can top up their EVs while buying groceries, collecting the dry cleaning or enjoying a meal or coffee with family and friends.”
Mr St Baker, through his St Baker Energy Innovation Fund, is investing heavily in the sector not only through Evie but electric charging station manufacturer Tritium.