Would you like a Whopper with that?
Australian electric vehicle (EV) charging giant, Evie Networks, has launched its partnership with fast food company, Hungry Jack’s.
This partnership sees the companies launching an EV fast-charger at the Cabramatta Hungry Jack’s store in Sydney.
“If the demand is there, we will look at other Hungry Jack’s sites for Evie Networks chargers,” said Hungry Jack’s CEO, Chris Green.
This EV charger is the first of 400 new EV chargers planned across Australia, on the back of a funding package from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Dubbed the Future Fuels Fund, the package from ARENA totals around $25 million and will be partially funded by the Australian Government.
The successful applicants for grants from the first round of ARENA funding were Evie Networks, Ampol, Engie, Chargefox, and Electric Highways Tasmania.
Evie Networks aims to become the dominant EV charging provider in the southern hemisphere as it builds on its existing Australian network of more than 50 DC fast and ultra-fast electric car chargers.
Evie Networks CEO, Chris Mills, said the rollout of the EV charging network would ensure no individual in metropolitan Australia will be more than 5km from a fast-charger.
“Our focus is to bring fast charging to where drivers work, shop and play,” said Mr Mills.
“Gone are the days where we drive to fuel stations; instead, drivers can charge while they grab a bite to eat.”
Evie already partners with fuel station companies such as Ampol, Puma Energy, Caltex, Tasco and Gilbarco Veeder-Root where it has installed EV chargers at different locations.
This Hungry Jack’s partnership also isn’t the first fast-food foray, with Evie partnering with McDonald’s to launch an EV charger at its 1000th Australian store in Melton South, Victoria.
Providing the hardware for these EV chargers to Evie Networks in states besides Australian Capital Territory are Australian EV charging provider and manufacturer, Tritium.
Currently, Tritium provides two different DC fast chargers with charging speeds ranging from 50kW to 350kW.
The Evie Metro Tritium Charger, as seen at the Hungry Jack’s store in Cabramatta, charges at a maximum DC fast-charging rate of 50kW and claims to add up to 50km of range in approximately 10 minutes.
The Evie Highway Tritium Charger on the other hand can charge at a maximum DC fast-charging rate of 350kW and claims to add up to 350km in approximately 15 minutes.
These chargers in particular are said to be located at highway stations with 24/7 access and amenities.
Tritium most recently picked up a prestigious international award as Chargepoint Manufacturer of the Year.
Tritium team
“In a tightly contested category, Tritium stood out within the Chargepoint Manufacturer of the Year shortlist at this year’s EVIE Awards, hosted by Solar Media,” said the EVIE Awards judges.
“The judges praised the liquid cooling technology used by Tritium and their global footprint in particular, with Tritium a thoroughly deserving winner of this award.”
Mr Mills said Evie Networks is shifting the way people think about transport, and the Cabramatta Hungry Jack’s location was ideal for delivery drivers and the uptake of EVs in New South Wales (NSW).
“A charging site in Cabramatta will allow rideshare drivers in the area to make the most out of rideshare for themselves and the environment by making the change to an electric vehicle,” said Mr Mills.
“Our electric vehicle rideshare fleet demonstrates that rideshare drivers usually charge at a fast-charging site near their home at the beginning or end of their shift.”
MORE: Australian government co-funds rollout of 400 public EV charge points
MORE: Australia’s Evie and Tritium rolling out 300-plus destination EV chargers
