BYD announces partnership with Ampol in Australia

Australian BYD importer EV Direct has today announced a partnership with Ampol to provide Australians with improved charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

The two companies will share information, such as how owners use their vehicles and where might be best to install new fast chargers, to provide a more seamless transition.

BYD becomes the second brand to partner with Ampol in Australia following Hyundai’s announcement earlier this month.

4

EV Direct currently only imports one BYD model, the Atto 3 small SUV, but has plans to expand and be in the game for the long run – according to CEO of EV Direct, Luke Todd.

4

What does the partnership mean for BYD owners?

The new partnership between both companies doesn’t mean free charging on the network.

Instead, both brands will engage in information sharing operations as each expands. Currently, Ampol has two public fast-charge locations in Sydney: Alexandria and Northmead.

In Victoria there is a 150kW DC charging station in Altona North, in Queensland a fast-charger in Carseldine and one in Belmont, WA.

Correction 26/10/22: Ampol's Belmont fast-charger is located in WA, not QLD.

4

The rapid expansion will include 140 total public fast-charging locations in the first phase, with even more promised in future.

How about home charging?

Ampcharge is also looking to target the burgeoning home-charger market. It is not clear yet exactly how this will take place, but OEM partners such as BYD and Hyundai will be crucial in providing information to make the roll out as seamless as possible.

There is also scope to provide business solutions, according to Ampcharge. BYD does not currently sell commercial vehicles in Australia, but there are other potential Atto 3 applications – including council fleets.