Ampol unveils EV charging brand AmpCharge

AMPOL has today unveiled its electric vehicle charging brand AmpCharge and has announced plans for the initial roll-out of fast chargers at Ampol service stations – and customer homes – across the country.

 

Under the scheme, Ampol customers will have access to AmpCharge units at home, in service station forecourts and ‘destinations’, the company says, “leveraging existing Ampol infrastructure and customer relationships to ensure Australians can recharge wherever and whenever they need to”.

 

At-home (wallbox) branded charging infrastructure is also expected to be developed under AmpCharge, with offers to be made available to consumers as part of a broader home energy offer.

 

Ampol says it aims to establish the leading EV charging network in Australia by 2030, including a fleet offer for business customers. The rollout will commence with five pilot sites at Ampol service stations in Alexandria NSW, Northmead NSW, Carseldine QLD, Altona North VIC, and Belmont WA which will come online in June and July this year.

 

These sites will feature AmpCharge chargers supplied with renewable energy, or covered by green certificates, and will be capable of delivering charge to a BEV at up to 150kW, with each site having the capacity to charge at least two BEVs concurrently.

 

The sites will also feature solar panel systems and battery storage provisions.

 

As part of an agreement with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Ampol plans to have 120 sites operational by October 2023.

 

“I am pleased to today unveil our full-service electric vehicle fast charging ecosystem, AmpCharge, leveraging our existing network, skills and infrastructure to provide a diverse and comprehensive charging network that can minimise range anxiety and support the uptake of BEVs in Australia,” said Ampol managing director and CEO Matt Halliday.

 

“We have been keeping Australians moving for over 120 years. Today, as energy needs evolve, our vision is to become Australia’s leading distributer of energy, providing mobility solutions for any of the vehicles our customers drive, anywhere and anytime they need it.

 

“As we begin to evolve our national network, consumers will see AmpCharge in Ampol service stations, depots and terminals right across the country. For the first time, we’ll also be entering homes, workplaces and shopping centres as we seek to deliver simple and efficient charging solutions at convenient locations to keep people moving.”

 

There are now 19 charging infrastructure providers in Australia – including Chargefox, eGo Dock, Evie, JetCharge and Tritium – and over 3000 public EV charging points nationwide. By way of comparison, China has over 800,000.

 

Locally, EV sales represent only 0.8 per cent of all new vehicles sold, however that number is growing as more manufacturers offer a greater selection of models from which to choose.

 

The Ampol brand returned to the Australian service station landscape in 2020 in having been retired in 1995. It is currently rebranding Caltex sites across the country following the expiry of the American brand’s licence. US company Chevron sold its 50 per cent stake in the Australian operation in 1995.

 

Ampol, formerly the Australian Motorists Petrol Company was founded by Sir William Gaston Walkly in 1936.