Accessibility for drivers of EVs is getting a big boost as EV charging stations open at 16 major shopping centres nationwide over the next month.

AMP Capital, as a major retail property group and the owner of Macquarie Centre in Sydney, has proudly partnered with Evie Networks to deliver the charging sites.

Charging sites will be located at AMP Capital’s centres across NSW, QLD, VIC, WA and NZ, with stations already open in NSW at Macquarie, Randwick, Marrickville Metro, Dapto and VIC at Stud Park.

The announcement comes as state governments continue to push with the move toward EV take up meaning the demand for accessible, everyday charging continues to grow.

AMP Capital head of retail and investment, Marco Ettorre, says the partnership with Evie Networks was an investment in customer convenience for the fund’s retail business: “In Australia, EV sales have tripled between 2020 and 2022, and while volumes are relatively small, there is an upward trajectory.

“This is resulting in a need to keep pace with community expectations for charging solutions while also achieving our own sustainability goals.”

Evie Networks chief executive Chris Mills says the company’s fast, universal charging stations were powered by 100% renewable energy and could add up to 150km of range in just 30 minutes. Traditional charging stations take up to four hours to add a comparable range. The stations cost 40 cents per kWh per use.

“Making fast-charging a seamless part of customers’ shopping experiences will help advance our mission to accelerate the adoption of EVs in Australia,” Chris says.

“Being able to leverage AMPC’s centres’ strong ties to their communities across Australia and New Zealand will help create a more sustainable energy future throughout Australia. If we want to move towards a cleaner transport future, people need to be confident that they can travel with the knowledge they can charge whenever and wherever they need.”

In the first stage of the partnership, Evie’s network will expand by 32 charging bays at 16 shopping centres across Australia and New Zealand, with the ability to scale up based on future demand.

The rollout includes a specialised highway configuration at Ocean Keys Shopping Centre in WA that will provide a DC ultra-fast charging experience in as little as 15 minutes for those travelling to or from Perth’s metropolitan area.

Evie Networks is backed by the St Baker Energy Innovation Fund’s commitment of $100 million, which is accompanied by $23.85 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). This makes Evie Networks the most heavily funded EV charging operator in Australia. The remaining installations at AMP Capital Centres are expected to be completed by July 2022.

Visitors will be able to locate the charging stations via the Evie Charging app, as well as make payments and view their full charge history. For more information, head to www.goevie.com.au