Power pole AC EV charger trial

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Trial Overview

Essential Energy conducted a ten-month trial of a fully integrated power pole AC electric vehicle (EV) charger to explore a low-impact, convenient charging solution for regional NSW.

The prototype was installed in the Mid North Coast town of Kew, trialling a new approach to expanding charging options for residents and visitors across regional, rural, and remote communities.

Essential Energy partnered with EV charging company ChargePost and Australian manufacturer Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies (CFT) to design and develop the fully integrated power pole AC EV charger.

Unlike traditional EV charging infrastructure, the prototype was fully enclosed within a composite power pole and connected directly to the existing overhead network, with all cabling contained inside the pole. This removed the need for additional infrastructure, civil works, and earthworks, minimising visual and environmental impact.

With many power poles located adjacent to parking spaces and capable of supporting faster charging, this approach has the potential to play a significant role in expanding accessible, 24/7 public top-up charging across regional, rural, and remote communities.

The power pole AC EV charger was located at 142–144 Nancy Bird Walton Drive, Kew, within the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council area. It is conveniently situated just off the Pacific Highway, close to a range of local amenities including a hotel, corner store, farm shop, motel, and golf course.

Members of the public were invited to use the charger free of charge and to provide feedback during the trial period (7 July 2025 to 30 April 2026) via a QR code displayed on the pole.

If you are interested, you can read the full survey results.

Want to give feedback?

Whilst the trial has been completed, we are always interested in your feedback. Use the section below to share your feedback or ask us a question.


Trial Overview

Essential Energy conducted a ten-month trial of a fully integrated power pole AC electric vehicle (EV) charger to explore a low-impact, convenient charging solution for regional NSW.

The prototype was installed in the Mid North Coast town of Kew, trialling a new approach to expanding charging options for residents and visitors across regional, rural, and remote communities.

Essential Energy partnered with EV charging company ChargePost and Australian manufacturer Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies (CFT) to design and develop the fully integrated power pole AC EV charger.

Unlike traditional EV charging infrastructure, the prototype was fully enclosed within a composite power pole and connected directly to the existing overhead network, with all cabling contained inside the pole. This removed the need for additional infrastructure, civil works, and earthworks, minimising visual and environmental impact.

With many power poles located adjacent to parking spaces and capable of supporting faster charging, this approach has the potential to play a significant role in expanding accessible, 24/7 public top-up charging across regional, rural, and remote communities.

The power pole AC EV charger was located at 142–144 Nancy Bird Walton Drive, Kew, within the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council area. It is conveniently situated just off the Pacific Highway, close to a range of local amenities including a hotel, corner store, farm shop, motel, and golf course.

Members of the public were invited to use the charger free of charge and to provide feedback during the trial period (7 July 2025 to 30 April 2026) via a QR code displayed on the pole.

If you are interested, you can read the full survey results.

Want to give feedback?

Whilst the trial has been completed, we are always interested in your feedback. Use the section below to share your feedback or ask us a question.


Questions

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  • Share In the FAQs, it says that the trial lasts for three months from July 2025 but on the main page it lists the end date as April 2026, so it appears that it was extended. Is it possible that it may be extended further? I am travelling through the area in July and it would be very helpful if it was still available. on Facebook Share In the FAQs, it says that the trial lasts for three months from July 2025 but on the main page it lists the end date as April 2026, so it appears that it was extended. Is it possible that it may be extended further? I am travelling through the area in July and it would be very helpful if it was still available. on Twitter Share In the FAQs, it says that the trial lasts for three months from July 2025 but on the main page it lists the end date as April 2026, so it appears that it was extended. Is it possible that it may be extended further? I am travelling through the area in July and it would be very helpful if it was still available. on Linkedin Email In the FAQs, it says that the trial lasts for three months from July 2025 but on the main page it lists the end date as April 2026, so it appears that it was extended. Is it possible that it may be extended further? I am travelling through the area in July and it would be very helpful if it was still available. link

    In the FAQs, it says that the trial lasts for three months from July 2025 but on the main page it lists the end date as April 2026, so it appears that it was extended. Is it possible that it may be extended further? I am travelling through the area in July and it would be very helpful if it was still available.

    Russ asked 4 months ago

    Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We’ve updated the FAQs to clarify the dates. At this stage, the trial is scheduled to conclude on 30 April 2026. Any changes will be reflected on the website and in the FAQs, so we recommend checking back closer to your travel dates. Thanks for your interest in the trial.

  • Share Good afternoon. Could you help please? What is the charging capacity of the new trial EV public charger installed at Kew NSW? Thanks. Chris on Facebook Share Good afternoon. Could you help please? What is the charging capacity of the new trial EV public charger installed at Kew NSW? Thanks. Chris on Twitter Share Good afternoon. Could you help please? What is the charging capacity of the new trial EV public charger installed at Kew NSW? Thanks. Chris on Linkedin Email Good afternoon. Could you help please? What is the charging capacity of the new trial EV public charger installed at Kew NSW? Thanks. Chris link

    Good afternoon. Could you help please? What is the charging capacity of the new trial EV public charger installed at Kew NSW? Thanks. Chris

    Chris 1 asked 10 months ago

    Hi Chris.

    The pole charger can charge vehicles at up to 22 kW, depending on the capability of the car vehicle itself. The charger is a three phase 32 amp per phase AC charger.

Page last updated: 02 Jun 2026, 01:08 PM