The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has launched a new app called Charge@Large to make charging electric vehicles (EVs) easier across Australia. The free app provides real-time updates on charger availability, helping drivers know if a charger is in use, working, or out of order.
The app is designed to reduce frustration for EV drivers and improve access to reliable charging points. It also collects data about charger use and performance, which will be shared with governments to help improve the charging network.
Helping Drivers and Governments
Julie Delvecchio, Chief Executive of the EVC, said the app has great potential to benefit both drivers and governments.
“With more than 300,000 electric vehicles on Australian roads and counting, the demand for accessible, reliable EV charging has never been greater,” Ms Delvecchio said.
She added that while the number of public chargers has nearly doubled in the last year, drivers still face challenges like arriving at a charger that’s either out of order or already in use.
“The ‘Charge@Large’ app tackles multiple challenges. First, it helps reduce range-anxiety and improves EV driving experience by giving motorists real-time charger availability. Second, by sharing uptime and usage trends with government, it will lead to improvements in EV charger coverage and reliability,” she said.
Governments that sign up for the platform will receive data showing where chargers are most needed. They will also see which ones have frequent outages. This information can help expand the charging network and improve its reliability.
Growing Network of Charging Partners
Several major charge point operators are already part of Charge@Large, including Exploren, ChargeN’Go, Wevolt, Charge Hub, and Sonic Charge. More operators, such as CasaCharge and Charge Post, are expected to join soon.
The app currently covers around 1,600 charge points across 740 sites in Australia. Hundreds more expected to be added in the coming weeks.
The governments of New South Wales and Western Australia are already working with Charge@Large and will use the data to help expand and maintain their charging networks. Discussions with other states are ongoing.
NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe, welcomed the app, saying it will make EV driving more convenient.
“This free resource will make driving an EV more convenient and accessible than ever. EV drivers will have access to the information they need so they can recharge when required, with confidence,” she said.
Improving the EV Experience
By providing real-time charger updates and sharing data with governments, Charge@Large is expected to improve the overall . The app helps drivers plan their trips more easily while supporting better infrastructure for future EV growth.
The EVC says it will continue working to expand the app’s network. They will also encourage more governments and charging operators to join the platform.
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