The EV Tipping Point:
What Fleet Managers Need To Know About Australia’ s Charging Boom
WORDS BY CHARGEFOX
To explore what’ s really happening in the world of EV charging- and what fleet managers should understand today, we spoke with Ed Asuncion, Executive General Manager of Chargefox- the Australian EV charging platform and services provider owned by the motoring clubs of Australia.
Range anxiety is still a top concern for fleet managers. How is the charging industry addressing those fears?
The reality is, thousands of chargers already exist right across Australia, and platforms like ours are making them more accessible every day.
The key to overcoming range anxiety is visibility and trust. Drivers need to know that chargers are available, reliable, easy to use, and that if they do need help, someone will be there.
Chargefox brings together thousands of chargers provided by governments, councils, retailers, and other businesses across Australia on one platform. We also provide 24 / 7 local telephone support, so drivers are never stranded.
If there are so many chargers, why don’ t we see them?
Ed Asuncion: Because we’ re still thinking like petrol buyers. We’ re conditioned to look for massive forecourts, giant signs, and maybe a fast-food restaurant attached.
EV chargers can be smaller than your fridge, tucked into shopping centre car parks or outside hotels. Drivers find them through apps, not by scanning the horizon for massive road signs. They don’ t need that huge physical footprint because discovery happens digitally.
You just need to know how to find them, and that’ s exactly what platforms like Chargefox solve.
Who’ s buying EVs? Still just the early adopters and tech enthusiasts?
Ed Asuncion: Forget everything you think you know about the“ typical” EV buyer. A huge range of buyers are considering EVs now, and it’ s happening for two simple reasons: affordability and choice.
Australian drivers now have over 30 brands offering EVs— that’ s more choice than consumers get in almost any other market worldwide.
The real action is in fleet sales. Fleet managers are realising the benefits of charging over fuelling— cost savings, reliability, and obvious sustainability wins. We’ re also seeing major retailers moving into electrifying their delivery vans and trucks, and upgrading charging facilities, a major sign that the market has shifted.
Are fleet managers investing in on-site EV charging themselves, or relying on the growing public network?
Ed Asuncion: It’ s a mixture of both. We work with fleets ranging in size from a couple of EVs to hundreds. Those with small fleets or those
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