RACV Commercial Energy Solutions will be working with EVX to install up to 40 dual EVX chargers across the state, with the first two installations located at High Street and Warner Avenue in Ashburton expected to be operational in the coming weeks.

A further pipeline of installs will follow targeting the City of Port Phillip, City of Stonnington and City of Yarra.

RACV Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Neil Taylor said this partnership with EVX provides a scalable opportunity to support Victorians transitioning to EVs.

“This strategic partnership between RACV and EVX will help provide Victorians with access to a diversified, best-in-class public EV charging network,” Mr Taylor said.

EVX specialises in manufacturing, installing and operating pole-mounted kerbside EV charging infrastructure. The Australian-designed and made chargers are installed directly onto existing utility poles. Maximising efficiency and minimising additional infrastructure requirements while adhering to local electrical and planning regulations.

The expansion of EVX’s network of pole-mounted EV chargers across multiple Australian states including Victoria is supported by a $2.4 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

EVX Chief Executive Officer Andrew Forster said their pole-mounted charging systems address a critical gap in Australia’s EV infrastructure.

“Partnerships like this with RACV are helping us to accelerate the transition to EVs by providing a reliable, accessible, affordable and sustainable EV charging network across the country,” Mr Forster said.

“We’re focused on providing accessible charging options for the millions of Australians. Living in apartments, units, and inner-city dwellings without private parking or the ability to install home chargers. Or for those looking for convenient charging throughout their day-to-day movements.”

EVX currently operates Kerbside EV Charging in New South Wales,

EVX currently operates 100 chargers throughout New South Wales. With plans to install an additional 120 chargers. They will be across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia. And the Australian Capital Territory within the next 10 to 12 months. Each EVX charging unit features dual 22kW sockets, providing convenient and reliable charging options for EV owners.

EVX’s solution addresses two key barriers to EV adoption in Australia:

• Providing charging solutions for residents without off-street parking
• Creating a network of convenient, 24-hour public charging stations

RACV Commercial Energy Solutions has over ten years of experience in Australia. Offering comprehensive services including:

• solar panel systems,
• battery storage,
• electric vehicle chargers,
• virtual power plants, and
• ongoing asset monitoring and maintenance.

They provide end-to-end project management from initial site analysis through to installation and ongoing maintenance. And have completed notable projects like powering the Australian Synchrotron facility.

For more information, visit evx.tech or to learn more about RACV Commercial Energy Solutions visit racv.com.au/home/solar/commercial.

Further information  

About RACV

Since 1903, RACV has been one of Australia’s most trusted brands and is the largest member organisation in Victoria. 

RACV is proud to provide exceptional experiences for our members and customers through a range of products and services across motoring and mobility, home, energy and leisure. These include emergency roadside assistance, motor insurance, home insurance, home trades and an increasing range of options in the cleaner energy space, such as RACV Solar. We have nine resorts and one club across Australia and offer a range of domestic and international holiday packages, tours and cruises from our trusted travel partners. 

About EVX

EVX is an Australian company at the forefront of developing accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Sydney, EVX specialises in pole-mounted and kerbside charging solutions that integrate with existing infrastructure, making EV charging more accessible to all Australians.

About EVX chargers

EVX apply no joining, membership, or connection charges. Costs are charged at $0.50 per kWh.

Drivers simply download the EVX Australia app, scan the QR code on the charging point and start charging. The EVX app shows the user which chargers are available (chargers cannot be pre-booked). Users will need to bring the charging cable associated with their individual vehicle (EVX’s chargers utilise the industry standard type two charging cable available for all EVs). EVX will also be partnering with Chargefox, allowing drivers to access the kerbside EV charging network via the Chargefox platform.

The unit is an AC dual 22kw (total 44kw) ready charger. As vehicle manufacturers increase the AC charging capacity of their vehicles, EVX’s software can allow for updates to the capacity remotely. Charging time will depend on vehicle specifications and battery utilisation.

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The draft Electrification of Transport in the City Strategy and Action Plan, passed unanimously for public exhibition by the City Council last night, outlines City plans to electrify transport fleets and lower the barriers to electric vehicle use in our local area.

Key actions arising from the new plan:

• Accelerating the transition of the City’s own light and heavy vehicle fleet
• Increasing capacity of our depots to handle more and bigger electric vehicles
• Encouraging public rapid charging facilities in car parks and service stations
• Increasing the capacity and number of electric chargers in City-controlled car parks
• Working with Ausgrid to trial low-impact on-street charging in locations without off-street options
• Updating planning controls to encourage and support charging capacity in new buildings
• Conducting a comprehensive research project to understand the challenges and opportunities of retrofitting existing apartment buildings with chargers

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said reducing private vehicle dependence while supporting the electrification of vehicles would help lower transport emissions and reach the City’s net zero targets.

“If we are to stop dangerous runaway climate change, we need to reach net zero emissions as soon as possible. Lowering transport emissions, which are currently around 20% of all our emissions, will be crucial to this task,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Reducing private vehicle dependence is the most effective way to cut emissions, so we remain focused on delivering our comprehensive bike network, supporting ambitious public transport projects and ensuring our city is a pleasant and accessible place to walk to, from and around.

“Not all trips can be completed on a bike or public transport so electrification of high-impact fleets such as delivery and service vehicles, as well as private vehicles, will help complete the journey to net zero transport.”

Under the new plan, the City will increase capacity in Goulburn Street and Kings Cross car parks to 18 chargers, with another two 22kWh chargers to be installed in Cope Street car park in Redfern and Wilson Street car park in Newtown.

On street chargers

The City of Sydney is also working with Ausgrid to test an unobtrusive on-street electric vehicle charger on an existing power pole in Glebe to explore ways to support on-street charging access without burdening the public domain.

Modelling and technical analysis that underpins the plan shows around 20% of emissions in our area come from transport, and the biggest barriers to using electric vehicles are affordability, availability and access to charging.

The local area already has more than 100 publicly available charging points and research indicates most people will charge their vehicles in buildings, garages and depots.

The City of Sydney will work with providers to get more chargers where they’re needed, predominantly in off-street car parks, service stations and some street locations, balancing the need to protect footpaths and public spaces.

As part of the strategy, the City of Sydney will use its planning controls to make sure all new developments are electric vehicle ready.

Over the coming months, the City of Sydney will investigate the technical, governance and management challenges our strata communities face as they start to address increasing demand to retrofit apartment buildings with EV charging.

“In the city context, where over 75% of people live in apartments, strata charging presents a real opportunity to make a significant dent in our charging needs, but it’s complicated,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Many of these apartments have off-street parking spaces and we know that most of them will look to charge their electric vehicles in those spaces. The more who can, the less spillover there will be into other charging systems. But owners corporations need to juggle complex metering, demand management and efficiency, safety standards and insurance and of course, questions over who pays and how.

“We will be conducting a comprehensive research project in a range of different building styles and ages, to figure out how to overcome these challenges and outline best practice options for apartment buildings looking to retrofit.”

Electric vehicle uptake – towards Net Zero

The City of Sydney will also advocate and support the state and federal government to encourage a faster uptake of electric vehicles in the private and commercial sectors through federal fuel efficiency standards, accelerating roll-out of zero emission buses, and pricing mechanisms that favour electric vehicles over internal combustion engines and subsidies that favour e-bikes over vehicles.

The City was one of the first organisations in Australia to start converting its fleet, procuring its first electric vehicle in 2010. Today the City’s fleet features 19 vehicles and 1 truck that are fully electric, and 73 hybrid cars and trucks. The City acquired its first electric truck in 2021 as a trial, a diesel truck which was converted to electric.

Under the new plan, the City of Sydney will accelerate transition to electric in its fleet and favour contractors with green fleets in procurement processes.

Research shows more than one third of local residents don’t own a car. Based on current trends, the rates of ownership are predicted to rise by 8 per cent by 2035, despite a 44 per cent rise in the number of dwellings.

“We hope that by 2035 all vehicles in our area are electric. This is a sector that is evolving quickly, and we want to make sure that we remove any possible barrier to our residents getting an electric vehicle or better still, changing their commute for a bus or train, an e-bike or choosing to walk,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The state government has committed to installing 500 electric vehicle charging bays across NSW over the next two years, with a few in the first round being installed in our area. We will encourage and support this continued investment in the future.

“We don’t currently have a role in fuelling vehicles but to support the transition to electrification, we will step in. While the private sector ramps-up its charging initiatives, we will work with service providers to ensure that charging is available in areas with limited off-street charging opportunities. This includes the additional charging infrastructure we are installing in City of Sydney-owned car parks and the trial of low impact on-street charging.

“We are also conscious that when residents and fleet operators charge their electric vehicles, they do it using renewable electricity, or GreenPower, which is a great option for renters and helps promote more renewable energy generation.”

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