Powering Up Your Sydney Adventures: EV Charging Stations in Sydney
Sydney is embracing the electric future, and there are more and more electric vehicles (EVs) popping up on Aussie roads every day. EV sales made up 9.6% of all vehicle sales in Australia in February 2024 - a new record! Whether you're an EV owner, considering the switch, or a carshare user hiring an EV, access to charging stations is critical. This guide is your one-stop shop for navigating the Sydney public EV charging network, helping you find the perfect power source for your electric adventures
Sydney's EV Charging Landscape: Plugged In and Ready to Go
The good news is that Sydney boasts a growing network of public EV charging stations, meaning it’s easier than ever to keep your EV powered up. These stations are conveniently located across the city, from inner-city hubs to suburban neighbourhoods. Several major players operate these stations, each with their own apps and payment systems.
Here are some of Sydney’s key providers you will want to be aware of:
Chargefox & NRMA: Chargefox are Australia's largest EV charging network and are owned and operated by the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC and RACT. They offer a mix of fast chargers (DC) and regular chargers (AC). Download their app to locate stations, check live availability, and initiate and pay for charging sessions.
Evie: Evie offers a growing network of fast charging stations (DC) across Sydney and Australia, all using 100% renewable energy.
Tesla Supercharger: these high-powered stations provide the fastest charging option. There are now over 60 of these in Australia and they’re located along major highways and can add a whopping 275 kms of range in just 15 minutes! That’s not much longer than filling your tank with petrol! While in the past these were restricted to Tesla owners, select supercharging stations are now accessible to non-Tesla EV drivers (you will need a CCS plug). Either way you will need the Tesla app to use these.
AmpCharge: Another growing network who are rolling out ultra-fast (DC) EV chargers at selected Ampol service stations across Sydney. Download their app to locate stations, check availability, and pay for charging.
Finding Your Nearest Station:
Once you're familiar with the key providers, it's time to find a station! Here are some resources that can help you do that:
Apps: Each charging station provider offers its own app for locating stations, checking availability, and initiating charging. Many also offer other useful features, such as real-time updates on charging speeds and estimated wait times.
Websites: Most charging station providers maintain websites with interactive maps that allow you to search for stations by location and filter by charger type (AC or DC).
Live Maps: Several websites and apps, like Plugshare offer user-generated maps which have real-time information on charging station availability.
Planning Your Charge
With a little forward planning, incorporating charging stops into your Sydney adventures becomes a breeze. Here are some tips for longer trips when charging becomes more important:
Identify charging stations along your route before you leave: Before embarking on a longer trip, use the resources mentioned above to identify stations along your planned route.
Factor in charging times: AC chargers typically take longer than DC chargers. Consider this when planning your stops and estimate how much charge you'll need to reach your destination. Charging times can vary widely between different chargers.
Check availability: Using the provider's app, you can check live station availability and avoid waiting or needing to make unnecessary detours.
Understanding Charger Levels and Speeds
EV charging stations come in two main varieties: AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current). AC chargers, also known as Level 1 and Level 2 chargers, are similar to the outlets that you use at home. Level 1 chargers tend to be slower, while Level 2 chargers offer faster charging. DC chargers, also known as Level 3 chargers, are the speed demons of the bunch. These deliver power directly to the car's battery, bypassing the onboard AC/DC converter, and this delivers much faster charging times – perfect for topping up your battery during a quick stop.
Here's a quick breakdown of the different charger types and their typical charging speeds:
AC Level 1: Adds around 5-8 kms of range per hour. Best for overnight charging at home. This is typically the cheapest way to charge your EV and, because it generates less heat than faster chargers, it’s usually the best choice to maintain your charger health.
AC Level 2: Adds around 25-75 km of range per hour. This is a good option for public charging and topping up your battery while you're out and about, though it’s not great for longer journeys.
DC Level 3 (Fast Charger): Adds around 100-350 kms of range in around 30 minutes. Perfect for longer trips when you need to get your range back up quickly.
It's important to note that the above is a general guide only. Charging times can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the battery pack, your car's onboard charging system, and the available power output of the station. However, this should give you a general idea of what to expect from each charger type.
Understanding charging plug types
The different EV charging plugs available
The plug types on EV charging cables can differ by vehicle manufacturer, or when a car was built. And there are a few different ones out there. The good news is that these are (slowly) standardising and the number of different plug types is decreasing, though it can be a bit confusing in the meantime.
There are 3 main plug types that you’re likely to see in Australia, and some cars will work with multiple plug types.
· AC Charging: In Australia you are likely to come across the Type 2 or Mennekes plug
· DC Charging: The 2 common plug types in Australia are the CCS2 or CHAdeMO plugs
If you’d like to know more, the NRMA have a great explainer on different plug types.
GoGet: Your Sustainable Sydney Partner
GoGet already has proven positive impacts on climate and congestion with our fleet of conventional vehicles, and we’re excited to offer a small fleet of EVs, such as the Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV through partnerships with Developers. These are available to hire, alongside our network of 3,000 cars and vans, allowing GoGet members experience the thrill of electric driving without the long-term commitment of ownership.
Sydney's EV future is bright and exploring Sydney in an electric vehicle has never been easier. As new models reach our shores, the charging infastructure grows and charge times decrease, we expect the popularity of EVs to continue to rise.
