Australia’s largest electric car charging network hikes prices

Australia’s largest electric car charging network will hike its prices by 50 per cent from next month, Drive understands.

Chargefox currently operates approximately 1400 plugs across 100 sites between Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

Pricing is currently set at 40 cents per kWh for 350kW 'Ultra-Rapid' outlets, however that figure will climb to 60 cents per kWh from 9 May 2022.

An employee of the company confirmed the plans, however media representatives subsequently declined to comment when approached for further information. It's believed prices of Chargefox's less powerful DC chargers won't immediately change.

Chargefox has faced criticism in recent years for perceived reliability flaws, and it's expected the company will target improved consistency alongside the price rise.

Despite the not-insignificant hike, by Drive’s estimation topping up at a Chargefox site remains approximately 60 per cent cheaper than filling an equivalent petrol car.  

Further, surveys suggest roughly 80 per cent of electric vehicle charging takes place at home – with public plugs primarily used for long trips or emergencies.

In 2020 Drive revealed Tesla Australia had hiked its Supercharger pricing to 52 cents per kWh, however that figure has since been pulled from the marque’s website.

Last year the Federal Government announced its Future Fuels Fund, subsidising the private sector roll-out of approximately 400 charging stations.