Australian electric vehicle charging company JOLT has announced a partnership with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) for a AUD214 million loan agreement to fast-track the expansion of JOLT’s EV charging network across Canada.
The partnership will facilitate the installation of up to 1,500 new kerbside EV chargers in urban centres. The partnership supports the shared vision of JOLT and the CIB to increase the quantity and availability of electric vehicle charging options, making EV ownership more accessible in Canada.
JOLT’s EV charging stations offer reliable, free, and fast charging. Each station provides up to seven kWh of fast charging per user per day, equivalent to approximately 50 kilometres of driving range and 15 to 20 minutes of charge time, depending on the vehicle. Drivers in Australia who take advantage of JOLT’s free charging could save more than AUD1,370 per annum by charging with JOLT.
By providing loans for the build-out of EV charging infrastructure, the CIB and JOLT aim to alleviate consumer range anxiety, accelerate EV adoption, and significantly reduce transportation sector emissions.
Through Canada’s Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative, the CIB works with leading EV charging network owners and operators to accelerate the private sector’s rollout of large-scale charging infrastructure across the country. This project marks the CIB’s fourth charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure investment and its third in EV charging infrastructure.
The partnership supplements JOLT’s existing partnership with leading Canadian communications technology company, TELUS. That partnership, announced in late 2023, will see JOLT develop and install kerbside fast chargers across Canada.
“Kerbside fast charging is critical to the transition to electric vehicles, and providing fast, free charging to those who do not have access to off-street charging is JOLT’s goal for its expansion,” said JOLT CEO Doug McNamee. “JOLT’s partnership with the CIB is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and sustainability. By expanding our EV charging infrastructure, we are making electric vehicle ownership more accessible and convenient.”
“By investing in expanding EV charging infrastructure, we are supporting Canadians’ need for accessible and convenient charging points in urban centres,” said Canada Infrastructure Bank CEO Ehren Cory. “Our partnership with JOLT highlights a commitment to supporting the deployment of innovative technology which will create jobs and remove a potential barrier to EV adoption.”
The Canadian Government’s goal is to deploy 84,500 EV chargers by 2029 to facilitate the nationwide transition towards electric vehicles, a key element of Canada’s climate action strategy. The government is committed to achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 for all new light-duty vehicles.
Canadian authorities expect 13 million electric vehicles to be the country’s roads by 2030 and say they will need more than 200,000 public chargers.
JOLT is Australia’s largest free and fast EV charging network, powered by 100% renewable energy, and already has a broad range of partnerships throughout Australia, including Transport for NSW, Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and a variety of local government councils across the country.
JOLT’s business has grown rapidly in Australia and internationally in the past 12 months. Globally, the JOLT network has grown by 92%, powered by its rapid roll-out of charging infrastructure. Outside of Australia, JOLT has operations in New Zealand, the UK and Canada, and has seen a 242% increase in EV charging energy provision year on year globally (2024 versus 2023) and the number of charging sessions globally have jumped by 188% year on year.
“JOLT is in a unique position to have both a positive and sustainable impact on cities and EV drivers and the ability to offer drivers free and fast charging through its digital out-of-home advertising offer,” said McNamee. “Our ambitious plan is to build tens of thousands of sites over the next decade in major cities globally.”
