Chargefox: Australia's Biggest EV Charging Network, Explained

Chargefox is Australia’s largest public EV charging network. Strictly speaking it’s a platform: one app that brings together thousands of charging plugs owned by hundreds of businesses, councils and governments, from free 7 kW destination chargers to 350 kW ultra-rapid highway sites. You don’t need a membership. Download the free app, add a payment card, plug in and charge. Prices vary by station, from free at some AC chargers to roughly 40 to 65 cents per kWh at DC sites as of mid-2026.

What is Chargefox, exactly?

Chargefox calls itself a “network of networks”, and that’s the most useful way to think about it. Unlike operators that build and run their own hardware, Chargefox mostly provides the software layer: the app, the payment system, real-time charger status and 24/7 phone support. The physical chargers belong to councils, shopping centres, wineries, motoring clubs and energy companies all over the country. Shell Recharge chargers were added to the platform recently, which is typical of how the network grows.

The company itself is owned by Australia’s state motoring clubs through Australian Motoring Services, which is why club members get charging discounts and why you’ll find Chargefox-connected chargers on regional routes the clubs helped fund.

The practical upshot: one account covers an enormous spread of chargers, from a free council Type 2 post in a country town to a 350 kW ultra-rapid bank on the Hume. If you’re new to public charging, our guide to finding public EV charging in Australia explains how Chargefox fits into the bigger picture.

How much does Chargefox charging cost?

There is no single Chargefox price. Each station owner sets their own rate, and the app shows the current price before you start. As a working guide, based on Chargefox’s published pricing as of mid-2026:

The pattern is consistent across the network: the faster the charger, the more you pay per kWh. Chargefox’s ultra-rapid sites have sat around the 60 cent mark since a round of price rises, while many 50 kW units are cheaper. A surprising number of slower AC chargers, often council or business hosted, are still free.

Prices do move, so treat the table as a guide and the app as the source of truth. For how billing, idle fees and payment actually work at the plug, see our guide to paying for public EV charging.

How do you start a charge?

1. Download the Chargefox app (iOS or Android) and create an account with a payment card.
2. Find a station on the map. The app shows real-time availability, plug types and the price per kWh.
3. Plug in, select the connector in the app and start the session.
4. Watch progress in the app, then stop the session and unplug.

If anything goes wrong mid-charge, Chargefox runs 24/7 phone support, which matters more than it sounds at 9pm in a regional town. Some newer cars also integrate Chargefox into their in-car software, so you can start a charge from the dash.

What plugs and speeds will you find?

Every Chargefox location has Type 2 charging, the standard AC plug in Australia. DC fast and ultra-rapid sites use CCS2, which suits almost every EV sold here, and many sites also carry CHAdeMO leads for older vehicles such as the first-generation Nissan Leaf. One catch: some AC destination chargers are socket-only, meaning you bring your own Type 2 cable. The app listing tells you which, so check before you drive out of your way.

Speeds run the full range. Destination chargers at 7 to 22 kW suit a few hours parked at a shopping centre or motel. The 50 kW fast chargers are the workhorses of regional Australia. Ultra-rapid sites at 150 to 350 kW are built for road trips, where most current EVs can add a couple of hundred kilometres of range in 15 to 30 minutes.

How does the motoring club discount work?

If you’re a member of NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAC, RAA, RACT or AANT, add your member number in the Chargefox app and you’ll get 10 per cent off at participating sites, mostly the ultra-rapid network. It applies automatically once linked. The discount was 20 per cent until March 2024, when the clubs halved it, so older articles quoting 20 per cent are out of date. Ten per cent off a 60-cent rate isn’t life-changing, but it’s free money if you already hold a club membership for roadside assistance.

Chargefox vs Evie: which should you use?

Both, honestly. Evie builds, owns and operates its own fast chargers, while Chargefox aggregates chargers owned by others, so their site maps barely overlap and together they cover most of the country’s public charging. Evie’s pricing tends to sit a little higher per kWh at ultra-fast units, while Chargefox’s range is wider because so many different owners set prices. We compare the two in detail in our Evie Networks guide.

There’s no exclusivity problem: both apps are free, and seasoned EV drivers carry both, plus one or two others depending on their state.

Is Chargefox reliable for road trips?

Chargefox’s coverage is its biggest strength, including regional and rural sites that exist because motoring clubs and governments funded them rather than because the traffic justified them commercially. The app’s real-time status is generally accurate, and 24/7 human support is a genuine safety net.

That said, treat any single charger in the bush as a maybe. Plan road trips with a backup site within range, check the app’s live status before committing, and you’ll rarely be caught out.