First of its kind EV chargers for Wollongong

Wollongong City Council and Endeavour Energy have partnered with electric vehicle infrastructure company, EVX, to bring the ‘first-of-its-kind’ pole-mounted EV chargers to the streets of Wollongong.

Five pole-mounted electric vehicle chargers will be deployed at Wollongong’s George Street, Victoria Street and Cliff Road as well as Austinmer Tennis Courts and Railway Parade in Thirroul – with more expected to come.

The new kerbside infrastructure will help provide Wollongong’s rapidly rising EV drivers with an easier way to charge up away from home. The number of EVs on Wollongong’s roads has almost quadrupled since 2021 while the region ranks in the top 10 per cent of the country when it comes to new EV registrationsⁱ.

EVX CEO, Andrew Forster, said: “This exciting new partnership is a huge step forward on the journey to ensuring Wollongong’s EV drivers are equipped with the charging infrastructure they demand. The project will make EV charging more accessible at convenient locations around Wollongong, helping to incentivise further the shift towards a greener future on our roads.”

Endeavour Energy’s General Manager, Customer Future Grid, Colin Crisafulli said Wollongong’s first pole-mounted electric vehicle chargers will make EV ownership more accessible and affordable.

“Endeavour Energy has been providing power to this region for more than 100 years so we are excited to welcome this milestone – the first pole-mounted EV chargers in Wollongong in collaboration with the Wollongong City Council and EVX,” he said.

“The rollout of pole-mounted chargers, on existing but repurposed infrastructure makes it easier for people to consider choosing to drive an electric vehicle and will help those living in apartments or renting.

“By repurposing existing infrastructure and using the electricity network’s capacity for additional services, we can exert downward pressure on electricity prices for all customers. Our projections indicate that by 2030, there will be over 300,000 electric vehicles within the Endeavour Energy network, and we are committed to ensuring that all our customers can actively participate in and lead this significant energy transition.”

Wollongong City Lord Mayor, Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM, said the addition of pole-mounted chargers will support more people to use electric vehicles in Wollongong.

“Renewable energy is the fuel of the future and when our residents are ready to transition, Wollongong City Council is taking the steps to ensure the charging infrastructure they need is available.”

“Switching to electric vehicles that are powered primarily by renewable energy, is cleaner, cheaper to run and better for the planet. Moving forward, this infrastructure will play a part in achieving net zero community emissions in Wollongong by 2050,” said Cr Bradbery.

Promoting the adoption of electric vehicles, EVX’s cutting-edge technology makes it easy for people to charge their vehicles using 100 per cent green energy. The chargers’ long-dwell charging capability allows drivers to charge their vehicles while they are parked for at least 1-2 hours.

Australian-made and designed charging technology fit for Australia’s regions

EVX developed the EVX Polecharger from the ground up to meet the challenges utility providers and local governments face in rolling out EV charging infrastructure sustainably while adhering to local electrical and planning regulations.

By using AC power with smart charging capability, EVX chargers have a low impact on the local electricity grid while they can also be installed on the existing utility pole infrastructure, negating the need for disruptive civil works and ensuring a speedy rollout.

Forster added: “The five new chargers across Wollongong and its northern suburbs is not only good news for local EV drivers – especially those without access to off-street charging – but it’s also welcome news for visitors over the holiday season.”

“With Wollongong and its northern coastal suburbs popular hotspots for out-of-town holidaymakers and day-trippers, the availability of kerbside chargers will help combat the range anxiety still gripping many of Australia’s EV drivers, which will also lead to a positive outcome for local businesses as EV uptake continues to rise.”