New feature addresses key complaint with Australian EV chargers

If you’ve ever been waiting for an electric vehicle (EV) charger and wondered how much longer you’ll have to queue, new tech is on hand to provide a better indication on wait time – as long as you use a specific network.

Chargefox today announced updates to its smartphone application will provide information on how long an EV has been plugged into the station it’s using, and – in the case of its ultra-fast DC chargers – what its current state of charge (SOC) is.

It comes after Chargefox introduced idle fees of $1 per minute from 10 minutes after an EV finishes charging at select stations across Australia, to discourage owners from leaving their fully charged vehicles clogging busy DC charge stations.

New feature addresses key complaint with Australian EV chargers

“Providing drivers with the information to make more informed decisions about where and when to charge will result in a better experience for everyone on Chargefox,” the brand said in its announcement.

“No single feature or initiative will entirely resolve issues with queuing at charging stations, or the behaviour of a small number of inconsiderate drivers – this update forms part of a range of features we are introducing to encourage courteous charging behaviour and maximise charger availability.

Chargefox is owned by the Australian Motoring Services, which itself is owned by the Mobility Clubs of Australia – comprising the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC and RACT.

Its AC chargers range from 7kW to 22kW units, while its DC fast chargers are capable of 50kW, 150kW, or 350kW rates depending on the location. The price per kWh varies between Chargefox’s locations.