Aust EV charging provider nets $214m Canadian deal

JOLT, an electric vehicle charging company founded and based in Australia, will partner with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) on a $214 million (CA$194 million) loan agreement to fast-track the expansion of JOLT’s EV charging network across Canada.

This will result in the installation of up to 1500 new kerbside EV chargers in urban centres, increasing Canadians’ access to convenient charging options. Through this partnership, the CIB and JOLT aim to alleviate consumer range anxiety, accelerate EV adoption and significantly reduce transportation sector emissions.

In Australia, JOLT provides a free and fast EV charging network, powered by 100% renewable energy. It has a range of partnerships across the nation, including with Transport for NSW, Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and various councils.

JOLT said its EV charging stations provide up to 7 kWh of free fast charging per user per day, equivalent to approximately 50 kilometres of driving range and 15–20 minutes of charge time, depending on the vehicle. The company’s cost-effective EV charging network is supported by digital out-of-home advertising on premium screens integrated into its charging kiosks.

JOLT CEO Doug McNamee said the partnership with the CIB represented a significant vote of confidence in JOLT’s EV charger and digital out-of-home advertising network, as the need for EV charging infrastructure grows around the world.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Through the Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative (CHRI), the CIB collaborates with leading EV charging network owners and operators to accelerate the private sector’s rollout of large-scale charging infrastructure across Canada. This project marks CIB’s fourth CHRI investment and its third in EV charging infrastructure.

“By investing in expanding EV charging infrastructure, we are supporting Canadians’ need for accessible and convenient charging points in urban centres. Our strategic 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,” said Ehren Cory, CEO of Canada Infrastructure Bank.

The Canadian Government aims 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, which includes a commitment to achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 for all new light-duty vehicles.

With more than 13 million electric vehicles forecasted to be on Canadian roads by 2030, and a need for more than 200,000 public chargers, this partnership will accelerate infrastructure development to meet this high demand.

JOLT has seen its business grow rapidly in Australia and internationally over the past 12 months. Globally, the network has grown by 92%, powered by its rapid rollout of charging infrastructure. Outside of Australia, JOLT has operations in New Zealand, the UK and Canada. It has undergone a 242% increase in EV charging energy provision year on year globally (2024 versus 2023), with the number of global charging sessions jumping 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. Our ambitious plan is to build tens of thousands of sites over the next decade in major cities globally,” McNamee said.

Image courtesy of JOLT.