The Byron Shire Council has installed regional New South Wales’ first ‘technology agnostic’ electric vehicle fast charger, tapping home grown technology from Brisbane-based company Tritium for the job.
The 50kW DC Veefil EV fast charger, installed by the Council at the Byron Bay Library car park, is being offered by as a free service to all makes of electric car, with the ability to add 50km range in just 10 minutes, or a full charge in around half an hour.
Speaking at the launch of the charging station on the weekend – which was attended by One Step founder Giles Parkinson – Byron Shire mayor Simon Richardson said he
hoped the Veefil would help overcome a key barrier to EV uptake in Australia – range anxiety.
“Having a fast charging station in Byron Bay and hopefully in the other major towns, will help allay those fears and enable people to seriously consider this zero emissions transport option,” Richardson said.
“Plus, it will provide a central location at the Byron Bay Library for Council’s electric vehicle to charge up and get back out on the road. A quick charge station will also allow us to add electric vehicles to the Council fleet.”
The Byron Bay installation is just the 10th in Australia for Tritium, although the company’s award-winning technology has been a huge export success, with Veefil units being installed on major charging networks and fast-charging highways in 18 different countries.
In 2015, the company secured a deal to supply New Zealand with 23 Veefil units as a first instalment of a three-year project to establish a network of fast chargers across the country.
The technology is also being supplied to California-based ChargePoint, as part of a huge deal that will see the award-winning Veefil fast charging stations installed throughout the US, including the express charging corridors on both the east and west coasts.
Indeed, the scale of international demand last year forced Tritium to move to a larger, more high-tech production facility in Brisbane, where it has tripled its manufacturing capability.
“We’re very pleased to see the Byron Shire Council supporting the uptake of electric vehicles with this installation of Tritium’s Veefil EV fast charger,” said Tritium sales manager Marcelo Salgado.
“As the first local council in Australia to install one of our chargers, we commend Byron Shire’s progressive approach to e-mobility and sustainable transport.”
Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.
This post was published on February 21, 2017 3:05 pm
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Brisbane, Gold Coast (not yet), Byron Bay, New Italy (not yet), Coffs Harbour (not yet). A relatively easy day drive for me in my LEAF. Next day to Sydney. Bring them on.
Longer range EVs could do it in less stops but I don't mind the forced breaks.
I have driven the LEAF Beaudesert to Sydney and return on two separate occasions and the Veefil DCFCs along the way will make it a pleasure instead of a chore.
I have also driven the WA Electric Highway Perth-Bunbury-Nannup a lot of times. They (RAC) chose E-station fast chargers and I have found that the Tritium Veefil is MUCH more reliable. When you have planned your trip to stop at a fast charger, if it is not working you have to make huge changes to your timing. Instead of a half hour snack break you will be looking for a 5 hour charge with your EVSE at a caravan park or similar.