Jet Charge introduces charging station subscription to boost EV fleets

Jet Charge has launched a subscription service that allows business fleets to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure at reduced cost pressures.

The Australian EV charging equipment company’s Charging as a Service (CaaS) model will allow businesses to install, report – and importantly maintain – EV charging stations in return for a fixed monthly fee, instead of a one-off upfront cost.

The $24.9 million project will last for three years and claims it will introduce more than 3100 new EV chargers.

The Australian Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) has co-funded the project to the tune of $12 million.

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While the exact cost of each install depends on fleet requirements, Jet Charge offers a subscription for installing units at both employees' homes and commercial sites, divided into what's known as a 'Starter Pack' and 'Deployment at Scale'.

Jet Charge chief executive Tim Washington said it is a “game-changing model” for Australian business vehicle fleets.

“We know that fleets are looking for a way to electrify and that infrastructure is a key barrier,” Washington said.

“Our CaaS project will not only increase affordability but also demonstrate what running private charging networks will look like at scale.”

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"Dramatically reduces dwindling excuses"

Meanwhile, Greenpeace Australia Pacific welcomed the new subscription model to lower the barrier for fleets to make the electric switch.

“It’s time for big business to step up on transport by committing to 100 per cent electric cars and trucks. Increased investment in charging-as-a-service dramatically reduces dwindling excuses from the business sector,” a Greenpeace spokesperson said.

“Fleets play a critical role in Australia’s transition to electric vehicles as their cars make up over 40 per cent of new car sales and are only used for three to five years.

“So when a business commits to going electric, that means more everyday Aussies will be able to buy second-hand EVs sooner and start driving toward cleaner, healthier streets.”

Depending on how far employees drive, EVs can save hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars per year in running costs compared to diesel or petrol-powered vehicles.

Combined with solar-generated energy, charging becomes almost free for fleet operators, allowing them to cut expenses and reduce their lifetime environmental footprint.