Australian electric vehicle (EV) charging network provider Chargefox has announced the cost of using its ultra-rapid chargers will jump by 50 per cent..

From May, fees for Chargefox ultra-rapid chargers (50kW to 350kW) will increase from 40 cents/kWh to 60c/kWh.

In practical terms, this would mean that a 50kW top-up would now cost $30 instead of $20.

The price change brings the fees into line with rival Evie, with Chargefox stating the introductory pricing of 40c/kWh was first set in 2018 and hasn’t been updated since.

It’s understood Tesla charges 52c/kWh for up to 250kW.

Chargefox said that fees for its fast chargers (up to 50kW) will remain, and discounts of up to 100 per cent will still be available to owners of partner EV models at ultra-rapid chargers., with members of the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, and RACT continuing to receive a minimum 20 per cent discount.

The recent fluctuations in the price of petrol and diesel have resulted in a sales boom for new and used electric vehicles, as motorists look to reduce their household expenses.

2

“The Superchargers and Ultra-Rapid chargers on the Chargefox network are there to support you on a long-distance drive,” Chargefox CEO and co-founder Marty Andrews told WhichCar in 2020.

“If they end up similar [to the cost of a petrol car] … the average [per kilometre running cost] is still going to be way, way lower,” he said at the time.

“EVs are cheaper to run because you can locally charge them at home and you can use solar.”

The increased Chargefox ultra-charging fees will come into effect on May 9, 2022.

MORE Electric vehicle news