BRISBANE-BASED electric-vehicle fleet management and AC charging specialist company Evos Technology Pty Ltd has installed its first Australian-made Fleet Home 22 AC Charger at a site in Maroochydore, Queensland.
The landmark installation – at the head office of electric-utility company LPE – coincides with the general availability of the charger, which is now for sale to the public.
The unit features Evos’ patented energy management software, which it says can “instinctively” choose the ideal time to charge a vehicle. It may also be programmed to deliver a controlled charge rate to ensure EV owners can manage the unit’s rate, speed, and power output to take better advantage of off-peak electricity prices.
Designed to be “easily installed and uninstalled”, the unit will appeal to businesses and homeowners who wish to take their investment with them when moving or, when required, move the unit to another location within the same site.
Available through Evos directly, and soon through Ampol’s AmpCharge network, the Fleet Home 22 AC Charger retails for $2200 (excluding delivery and installation costs).
Evos CEO and founder Marcelo Salgado says the Fleet Home 22 AC Charger arrives in the market at a time when Australia is ramping up its transition to electric vehicles.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ most recent motor-vehicle census, more than 23,000 electric vehicles are registered in Australia and Mr Salgado says the rising cost of liquid fuels and a drive to choose more environmentally friendly modes of transport has put EVs firmly in the sights of consumers looking to buy their next car.
“One of the key benefits to owning an electric vehicle is reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and recharging at home or work,” he said.
“To make the most of the convenience, people need to be able to charge at home at greater speed than what’s available from a standard home plug and manage recharging so that they keep their electricity bills as low as possible.
“Our charger and its software address those issues.”
The Fleet Home 22 AC Charger may be installed in either single- or three-phase guise to provide flexibility for homes and businesses providing charging for their vehicles. As the name suggests, the unit can deliver up to 22kW of power, which over an hour, can provide the average EV with up to 120km driving range.
Mr Salgado said that as vehicles are stationary most of the time, the technology offered by his company’s charger allows owners to better utilise idle times to charge their EVs in the most economical way.
He said Evos has already received “significant interest” from prospective buyers across the country following the unveiling of the charger in November of last year and is set to expand his Brisbane-based team (with six new roles currently open).
“We are proudly Australian-owned, with an Australian-designed charger that is manufactured in Brisbane,” said Mr Salgado.
“We want people to get involved and be part of something innovative and exciting, in a sector that is set to skyrocket in the years to come.”