The EV Charging Podcast

Chargefox Head of Partner Success Rohan Smith joins us to unpack how Australia’s largest EV charging app turns a fragmented hardware landscape into a simple, reliable driver experience.

We trace Rohan’s journey (AGL → DNSP trials → RACV → Chargefox) and dig into the platform choices behind public charging that just works: OCPP-based interoperability, first-attempt start success, clear pricing (kWh, time-based and idle fees), payments, and the data that guides new site builds. Rohan shares usage trends—300k+ app users, ~5,000 plugs across public and private networks, sessions doubling YoY—and why “driver-first” means better maps, accessibility, and integrations (e.g., in-car systems and retail partners).

We also explore:

• Roaming to reduce “app fatigue” and lift utilisation
• Why charge to ~80% on DC keeps trips moving
• Strata & fleets: RFID, workplace billing and load limits
• V2G/V2L: dynamic pricing, grid support events, and resilience during outages

Whether you’re planning a road trip, operating a site, or mapping the future of the grid, this episode translates EV charging buzzwords into practical decisions drivers actually feel—uptime, speed to charge, and confidence to go electric.

What does it take to build a reliable EV charging network across one of the largest and sparsest countries on earth? In this episode, we sit down with Scott Carden, Head of Engineering at the NRMA, to explore the hidden lessons behind Australia’s EV charging rollout.

Scott shares the realities of delivering fast EV chargers in remote and off-grid locations, where extreme conditions, limited usage and technical hurdles make the challenge unlike anywhere else in the world. From the Eldunda off-grid charging experiment in the Northern Territory to the NRMA’s goal of installing a charger every ~150 km on highways, we uncover what it takes to create the backbone of a truly national EV network.

Topics covered include:

• The engineering challenge of EV chargers spiking from 0–100% load in 0.1 seconds.
• Why cooling batteries in the outback can sometimes use more energy than the cars themselves.
• How the NRMA’s mutual model allows investment in less-commercial, ultra-remote charging sites.
• Lessons from “alpha,” “beta” and “release candidate” charging stations tested in the field.
• Balancing metro hubs and regional coverage to build a sustainable EV charging future.

Whether you’re an EV driver, policymaker or part of the charging industry, this episode provides an inside look at what it actually takes to make EV charging work across Australia.

We sit down with Tom Gan — doctor by day, creator of Ludicrous Feed by night — one of Australia’s most trusted voices on electric vehicles and home energy.

Tom shares:

• What he saw inside China’s mind-blowing EV factories — and what it means for Australian drivers
• How his Tesla Model S still runs at 93% battery health after a decade
• Why most EVs in Australia are already vehicle-to-grid (V2G) compatible
• How his household earned $60 in one night with Amber Energy
• Why Tesla is facing serious competition from BYD, Zeekr, XPeng & MG

If you’re curious about EV charging, solar batteries, or how to future-proof your home energy, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

In this episode of the EV Charging Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Forster, CEO of EVX Australia, to explore how curbside charging is reshaping Australia’s EV future.

EVX is solving one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption—charging access for people without off-street parking. Their solution? Smart, pole-mounted EV chargers that use existing street infrastructure to deliver reliable, scalable public charging.

Andrew shares the story behind EVX’s growth, how data drives deployment, what policy changes are needed to unlock price parity with home charging, and why utilities entering the market could threaten innovation.

What we cover in this episode:
– EVX’s curbside charging rollout and national expansion
– How pole-mounted chargers work and why they’re cost-effective
– The ARENA-backed strategy for dynamic, managed charging
– What local councils get wrong (and right) about public charging
– Why electricity distributors shouldn’t own EV infrastructure
– The future of bidirectional charging, V2G, and data-driven deployment

Whether you're an EV owner, policymaker, installer, or clean energy advocate, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of the EV Charging Podcast, we go way beyond the box. Join Daniel Carson and Jeff Sykes from Solar Choice as they sit down with visionary entrepreneur Stéphane Grosjean—founder and CEO of Smappee—for a thought-provoking journey into the past, present, and future of smart energy.

From building remote meter readers in the '90s to developing cutting-edge home energy management systems and dreaming of ocean-based charging kites, Stéphane shares the story behind his 30+ year mission to revolutionise how we produce and consume electricity. Discover how Smappee is using EV chargers as a Trojan horse for a smarter, more responsive energy grid—and why the sun might just be humanity's ultimate nuclear solution.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about renewables, decentralised energy, and where the EV and smart home ecosystem is headed next.

In this episode of The EV Charging Podcast, we speak with Piers McHenry (Group Commercial Director) and Shaz Shadan (Managing Director, APAC) from MyEnergi—the UK-based innovators behind Zappi, one of Australia's best-selling solar-compatible EV chargers.

🚗 We explore:

• What makes Zappi unique in the Australian and global market
• Key differences between EV charging in Australia vs Europe
• MyEnergi’s approach to local manufacturing, training, and grid support
• Behind the scenes of the DECA-funded free Zappi program in Victoria
• How MyEnergi is building a smart home energy management system (HEMS) beyond just car charging
• Real-world examples of demand response trials and how customers are getting paid to help the grid
• The future of EV adoption and smart tariffs in Australia

Whether you're an EV owner, installer, energy nerd, or just curious about the future of home electrification, this episode is packed with insights into one of the most exciting brands in the clean tech space.

🎧 Listen now to learn why Zappi is leading the smart charger revolution — from Grimsby to Byron Bay.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about Zappi and MyEnergi
• Compare EV charger quotes instantly at solarchoice.net.au
• Find out more about the DECA Zero Emissions Vehicle grant program in Victoria
• Discover how GridPay is reshaping demand response in the UK

📌 Brought to you by Solar Choice – Australia’s only instant quote comparison service for solar panels, batteries, EV chargers, and heat pumps.
With 17+ years of experience, we support both homeowners and commercial clients across the country.
Visit solarchoice.net.au for more.

🔊 If you liked this episode, leave a 5-star review and share it with someone who’s thinking of switching to an EV or going off-grid.
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In this special super episode, we blend two fascinating conversations into one powerhouse session. Catherine van der Merwe, Policy Officer at the Smart Energy Council, cuts through EV misinformation, unpacks the challenges of DNSPs, and offers a hopeful roadmap for Australia’s electrified future. Paired with deep technical insights from Geordie Zafiris, EV Charging Solutions Engineer at Fronius, we explore bidirectional charging, the cybersecurity risks most people aren’t talking about, and what batteries on wheels could really mean for Australia’s energy grid. This is the episode for anyone curious about the policy, technology, and future-proofing behind EV infrastructure.

In this episode of The EV Charging Podcast, Paul Fox—Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Evie Networks—explains why Australia is uniquely positioned to build a world-class public EV charging network.

Fox, a former engineer and Silicon Valley VC, shares insights into the economics, policy roadblocks, battery cost breakthroughs, and fleet electrification strategies shaping the future of Australia’s zero-emissions transport.

The former Silicon Valley VC and engineer, Paul shares:

• The $100/kWh battery breakthrough making EVs cheaper than petrol cars
• Why electric vans and utes are the next big wave
• How Evie’s owner-operator model ensures unmatched charger reliability
• The DNSP bottlenecks slowing down national deployment
• Why outdated energy tariffs are the real cost drivers behind public charging
• Australia’s late-mover advantage over the US and Europe
• How the private sector can now drive metro charging growth
• Public charging as an equity issue for apartment dwellers and high-mileage drivers

“If we want mass EV adoption, we can’t just serve people with garages and solar panels.”

Essential listening for anyone interested in transport, infrastructure, energy affordability, or climate strategy.

www.solarchoice.net.au

David Watson, founder and CEO of Ohme, shares his journey from environmental enthusiast to renewable energy investor and entrepreneur. Speaking to Jeff and Daniel from Solar Choice, Watson offers deep insights into the energy market, the rise of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and the transformative role of smart tariffs in Australia and abroad.

With Australia's energy market at a turning point, Watson explains why the country is uniquely positioned to lead the next phase of EV innovation.

David Watson is the founder and CEO of Ohme, a smart EV charging company transforming how drivers interact with the energy grid. Originally from Ireland, he began in finance before pivoting to renewables after reconnecting with UK climate leader Sir David King. He helped fund solar and wind projects through Temporis Capital before launching Ohme to make EVs part of the energy solution.

Watson pioneered smart charging through partnerships with Octopus Energy, allowing EV owners to charge when power is cheapest and cleanest—automatically. Now expanding globally, he sees Australia as the ideal next market, with its high rooftop solar uptake, dynamic tariffs, and off-street parking.

His mission: to align purpose, innovation, and user-friendly tech in shaping the future of clean transport and energy.

Learn more at www.solarchoice.net.au

 Ross De Rango, from the Electric Vehicle Council explains the challenges and solutions for installing EV chargers in apartment buildings while addressing common misconceptions about EV fire safety and implementation costs.

• Electric Vehicle Council works on policy advocacy, industry development, and facilitating connections between stakeholders
• About 10.5% of Australians (2.6 million people) live in approximately 1.2 million apartment dwellings
• Apartment EV charging faces unique challenges including common property issues and electrical capacity limitations
• Approval processes vary by state with different voting thresholds (50% in NSW, 75% in Queensland and Victoria)
• Solutions range from simple power points ($4,000 for eight parking bays) to comprehensive building-wide systems
• EVs are far less likely to catch fire than petrol/diesel vehicles, with Fire Rescue NSW responding to seven vehicle fires daily
• Apartment buildings that don't support EV charging will likely see reduced property values and rental yields
• Vehicle-to-grid technology will allow EVs to support the energy grid and help phase out fossil fuel power plants
• By 2030, electric vehicles will likely represent 10-15% of vehicles on Australian roads

Find out more at solarchoice.net.au and stay tuned for our next episode in two weeks.