JOLT, the Australian-owned free and fast electric vehicle (EV) charging network, recently announced it has secured funding from the New South Wales government to install 65 new fast and free kerbside public charging sites across seven local government areas in Sydney.
The funding from the state government’s $209 million EV charging infrastructure program will allow JOLT to significantly expand its network of state-of-the-art, smart city EV charging stations that provide free charging of up to 50 kilometres of driving range per day.
“Kerbside charging is critical to the transition to electric vehicles in Sydney.
“Providing fast, free charging to those who do not have access to off-street charging is JOLT’s goal for this program,” said JOLT CEO Doug McNamee.
The NSW government initiative aims to address the urgent problem of lack of convenient kerbside public charging for the growing number of EV owners, particularly renters and apartment dwellers who cannot easily charge at home.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Penny Sharpe, who drives an electric ministerial car, said the grants will “significantly increase the availability of public charging options and give people confidence their next vehicle purchase can be an EV”.
According to Sharpe, almost 30 per cent of NSW drivers do not have access to private, off-street parking to charge an EV, a figure considerably higher in metro areas like Sydney.
By providing greater accessibility and equity for EV charging, the NSW government program seeks to enable more people to access sustainable transportation technology and contribute to the state’s goal of being the easiest place in Australia to own and drive an electric vehicle.
“JOLT uses 100 per cent renewable energy, helping to achieve net zero targets and contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for our country,” said McNamee.
The rollout of 65 new JOLT charging stations, which combine innovative urban design with free and fast charging, is expected to ease the cost of living pressures for EV owners by providing approximately $1,200 in savings per year.
JOLT partners with businesses, councils, transport authorities, and governments globally to deliver best-in-class EV charging experiences.
The company is continuing to expand its operations in Australia and internationally, with recent expansions to New Zealand, the UK, and Canada, where thousands of EV chargers are currently being installed.