Evie Networks and Puma Energy recently announced a partnership to rollout ultra-fast electric vehicle charging stations at selected truck stop locations in Queensland, with the opening of an ultra-fast charging station in Townsville extending Evie Networks’ rapidly growing infrastructure network into the north of Australia.
Powered by 100% renewable energy, the Puma Energy Cluden site, on the Bruce Highway just outside of Townsville, is part of Evie Networks’ ultra-fast charging network that will connect the east coast of Australia from Cairns to Adelaide.
Puma Energy General Manager Retail Alan Plews said the site and partnership were important as the company looked to diversify its traditional service station forecourt offering to accommodate growing consumer interest in EVs.
“Puma Energy’s partnership with Evie Networks provides EV drivers in North Queensland with the first 24/7 convenient, safe and ultra-fast charging experience with the added benefits of Puma Energy’s service station amenities.”
Evie Networks Chief Executive Officer Chris Mills said the partnership with Puma Energy was essential to Evie’s Queensland rollout plans and added the first-rate quality of Puma’s on-site service centre amenity was exactly what EV customers should expect when stopping to charge their electric cars.
“The Puma Energy Cluden site is a critical site for Evie Networks as it aims to achieve its ambition to connect the east coast of Australia, with ultra-fast EV chargers.
“Our network is set to be the largest ultra-fast EV charging network in Australia and complements the existing Queensland Government network of fast chargers,” Mr Mills said.
Manufactured by Brisbane company Tritium, the station’s 350kW chargers offer both Japanese and European plugs and are the first of their kind globally, catering for all available EV models.
Drivers will receive free charging and a free coffee when they charge their EV at Puma Energy Cluden in July.
Evie Networks is backed by the St Baker Energy Innovation Fund’s contribution of $35 million, which is accompanied by a $15 million recoupable grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). This makes the project the most heavily funded electric vehicle charging operator in Australia, the company claims.
