Jolt provides the Volts

EV RECHARGE kiosk operator Jolt has announced a partnership with Endeavour Energy to deliver “free and fast EV charging stations to help turbocharge Greater Sydney’s growth”, which means EV drivers in NSW will soon have access to more charging stations, particularly in Western Sydney.

The partnership will see at least 230 EV charging stations being installed on Endeavour Energy street side-substations by 2025, with the number expanding to more than 1000 over the next decade. 

Endeavour Energy’s chief customer and strategy officer, Leanne Pickering, said the first charging stations were expected to be operating by the end of this year. 

“In a world where we are ‘electrifying everything’, our customers are depending on us to support their daily life – for commuting, working remotely, for education and entertainment,” said. 

“The partnership with Jolt harnesses the exciting momentum around EVs as people see the benefits of contribution to the environment through reducing carbon emissions and cleaner air.” 

Endeavour Energy, which delivers power to 2.6 million people and businesses throughout NSW, forecasts that one in four of its customers will be driving an EV within the next 10 years.

It’s predicted that by 2040, there will be 1.3 million EVs in the Endeavour Energy network, which covers Sydney’s Greater West, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, the Illawarra, and NSW South Coast, and Jolt says that by providing charging facilities in more urban locations, more motorists should be able to switch to EVs… especially those who don’t have access to off-street charging. 

"We're thrilled to be expanding our footprint to the wider Sydney area and provide free, fast charging to more EV drivers through our partnership with Endeavour Energy. The Jolt network has already given out over 162,000 free kilometres to EV drivers,” said Jolt’s CEO, Doug McNamee. 

“Our communities want more EV chargers to be able to charge on the go. We’re delighted to begin stage one of our plans with Endeavour Energy to help electrify the future of transportation.” 

With funding from parent company, US-based Oracle and a recent buy-in of $A100m by the world’s biggest investment management company, Black Rock, Jolt’s mission is to make electric transport more accessible to Australians through zero cost, out-of-home fast charging. 

The Black Rock investment and other partnerships allows Jolt to press ahead building a large-scale network of EV charging “kiosks,” as opposed to something similar to a traditional service station.

The company has forged links with three major Supplier Side Platforms (SSPs), which are essentially advertising platforms, giving them access to millions of potential customers through a multi-function app-driven system. 

“EVs are the future, but the lack of charging infrastructure in Australia has held us back – until now. Using innovative technology, we’re creating a functional, sustainable charging network that is powered by 100 per cent local green energy. That means we are making electric transport more accessible to Australians while paving the way to a zero emissions future,” Jolt says on its website.

Jolt’s green power comes from a combination of Australian certified wind and solar energy to power chargers and fulfil renewable energy commitments.

The company says it is helping remove barriers to EV ownership for communities, cities and states, reducing “range anxiety” and expense, the two major factors holding back EV adoption in Australia.

Jolt’s chargers are designed to complement and enhance Australia’s urban centres, providing communities with convenient, elegant, safe, smart city utility. Facilitating consumer use, Jolt’s app is said to provide people with “a simple seamless user experience”. Adelaide has five recharge kiosks and Sydney currently has two – at Mona Vale and Strathfield – with more coming on stream soon.

The kiosk model has specialised safety requirements, but Jolt says it “prioritises safe operations and interactions for drivers and members of the community. With a focus on safety from the design process through to network installation and rapid maintenance.”

JOLT provides DC fast-charging technology by offering both of Australia’s standard connectors.