To celebrate World EV Day and the launch of its EV charging range in Australia, FIMER Australia offered a chance for not-for-profit community groups to submit an application to receive a free FIMER FLEXA AC Wallbox charger.
One of the successful applicants was Narrabri-based not-for-profit Geni.Energy, which supports home and business owners and farms across New South Wales to transition to renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint.
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Having public EV chargers available in regional areas not only supports the local community but attracts tourists who drive electric vehicles (EVs). Narrabri is a regional town located 521km northwest of Sydney. Currently, the town only has one charger installed in town at a local hotel for its guests.
It was a great opportunity for Geni.Energy to make a second public charger available, allowing the local community and visitors to top up their car while in town.
Geni.Energy managing director Sally Hunter said, “Geni.Energy has been holding events educating the local community on electric vehicles for the last few years, encouraging people to choose an EV for their next car purchase. We have also found EV tourists avoid our town as the distance is too great until the next charger.”
“Getting the support from FIMER to help the Narrabri community has been much-needed to inspire other businesses to invest and install a charger, as well as the local community to feel confident to purchase an electric vehicle.”
After winning the charger, Geni.Energy worked with the local community to identify a location for the charger. Aperture Digital Group, a local business in town, put their hand up to have it installed at their new premise, which has 99kW of solar installed to help offset some of the running costs of the charger.
Peter Harvey from Aperture Digital Group said, “We are excited to be one of the first businesses in town to offer the community and tourists an electric vehicle charger. The charger will allow our business to earn revenue from every charge while letting people top up their vehicle’s battery while in town.”
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The launch of the new charger coincided with Solar Citizens‘ Electric Ute Roadshow, whose goal is to drive around Regional Australia, showcasing the benefits of electric vehicles and the power of electrification to regional communities.
The charger will be connected to charging management provider NoodoeEV, which enables Aperture Digital Group to monitor the charger remotely and manage payments for use of the charger.
