Even Australia's biggest fuel retailer is accelerating its move into electric vehicles, announcing a $225 million deal to buy one of the nation's largest charging networks.
Ampol revealed plans to acquire Evie Networks on Thursday in an investment that would add more than 1030 public electric car charging bays to its network.
The acquisition, if approved by the competition regulator, would create one of Australia's largest EV charging networks, with about 1425 bays in more than 400 locations.
The announcement follows record electric vehicle sales in Australia as motorists bought 103,716 battery-electric cars during the first six months of 2026, as petrol and diesel prices continue to climb.
Ampol revealed its plan to the Australian Securities Exchange, noting that market analysis showed Australia's electric vehicle charging market was expected to grow over the coming decade and was underdeveloped compared with other nations.
The time was right to expand its electric car network, Ampol chief executive Matt Halliday said, to meet growing demand.
"Our job is to be there for customers with what they need when they need it, as they choose vehicle technology that suits their needs," he said.
"For Ampol, EV charging is ultimately a question of disciplined investment at the right time."
Ampol launched its own electric vehicle charging network in April 2022 with plans to develop 120 sites and more motorists were using the AmpCharge network this year, Mr Halliday said.
"Utilisation has increased year on year, with charging sessions increasing 116 per cent and energy supplied increasing 120 per cent in the first half of 2026," he said.
"This gives us confidence in the strength of the business case that complements our traditional fuels business."
The investment would not only grow Ampol's charging network in the short term, Evie Charging chief executive Chris Mills said, but many of its locations had been built with expansion in mind.
The Australian company, founded in 2017, also had a significant customer base, he said, and valuable data about high-traffic locations and demand.
"Of the 500,000 (electric) cars on the road, 380,000 of them are registered in our app," he told AAP.
"That really gives us strong insight as to where drivers are looking to get a charge and what they're looking to get when they come to our charge point."
The acquisition, due for completion in the first half of 2027, would make Ampol one of Australia's leading public charging operators alongside Chargefox, Tesla, Jolt and NRMA.
