Ampol, in collaboration with Ausgrid and Kwetta, has formally unveiled AmpCharge electric vehicle (EV) charging at its dual Ampol Foodary M1 Wyong service stations.
The M1 Wyong sites present a unique first for the AmpCharge network as the first to operate under a dynamic connection model, enabling substantially more charging capacity without requiring traditional fixed network augmentation works.
Direct integration connecting Kwetta’s charging technology with Ausgrid’s network allows the site to adjust charging capacity in line with the demand required in near real time, helping deliver a fast and reliable charging experience for customers. This additionally enables the two sites to share network capacity during certain outage scenarios.
The deployment of Kwetta technology is also an Ampol first in Australia, with their infrastructure already being utilised across 13 New Zealand public sites through the Ampol-owned Z Energy EV charging network.
Located along Australia’s busiest inter-capital highway, the M1 Pacific Motorway, each site features eight charging bays, including two drive-through bays to cater for larger commercial vehicles and passenger EVs with caravans or trailers. The M1 Wyong AmpCharge EV chargers were commissioned by Plus ES and Electronet.
The AmpCharge M1 Wyong Northbound site is now live, with Southbound to be available to customers in late November.
Ampol, Executive General Manager, Commercial Fuels and Energy, Brent Merrick said the launch of the M1 Wyong AmpCharge sites highlights the power of industry collaboration in devising safe, efficient and reliable solutions.
“The launch of AmpCharge at our M1 Wyong sites is a practical demonstration of what can be achieved when energy networks, technology providers and charging operators work together to solve shared infrastructure challenges,” Merrick said.
“With the opening of Southbound to follow later this month, this project will deliver a stronger and more resilient charging experience in both directions of the M1.”
Ausgrid, Head of Customer Network Solutions, Adam Baxter said: “This project showcases the value of strong relationships and innovative thinking. By working closely together, Ausgrid and Ampol have developed a faster and cheaper solution through this dynamic connection, to support EV charging infrastructure.
“The commissioning of these sites is a significant milestone and demonstrates how customer-led innovation can help accelerate the rollout of critical EV charging infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Ampol as vehicle electrification continues to gather pace across New South Wales.”
Kwetta, Co-Founder and CEO, Dustin Murdock said: “Seeing a dynamic connection running public charging sites on the M1 is a big moment. Kwetta’s system responds in near real time to what Ausgrid’s network can support, so the site can use more capacity whenever it’s available, without waiting on upgrades.
“Ausgrid’s leadership on dynamic connections, working alongside the Ampol and Kwetta teams, is what made it possible, and it gives other busy highway sites a model to follow.”
The rollout of Ampol’s AmpCharge EV charging network continues to play a role in reducing range anxiety, lowering emissions across Australia’s transport sector and providing confidence for customers to transition to EVs
Editor note: Kwetta’s Sky Hook chargers are capable of delivering up to 200kW. Maximum charging output is subject to vehicle capability, site demand and network conditions. Each site has 500kVA of dedicated capacity, with access to up to an additional 750kVA when the network allows, more than doubling the power available to support EV charging.
About Ausgrid:
Ausgrid is the largest electricity distributor on Australia’s east coast, supplying power to 1.8 million customers, representing more than four million people, across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley. Our network spans 22,275 square kilometres and includes 40,964 kilometres of power lines. As electricity becomes increasingly important to the lives of our customers and communities, we are evolving our network to meet their changing needs in order to deliver accessible, reliable and safe electricity for generations to come.
About Kwetta:
Kwetta is a grid-first EV charging hardware manufacturer specialising in grid services. Its Prime Grid Gateway connects directly to high-voltage networks and powers multiple EV charging dispensers, responding in real time to what the network can support so sites can use more of the available capacity without waiting for network upgrades. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Napier, New Zealand, Kwetta designs and manufactures its hardware in New Zealand. Its technology is deployed across New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands, and Kwetta works with electricity networks, charge point operators, fleets and energy companies.
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