EV Charging Networks in Queensland: Who’s Who and What It Costs

If you’ve just bought your first EV and started looking into where to charge it in Queensland, you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of different networks — each with their own app, their own pricing, and their own connectors. It’s more confusing than it needs to be, and no one does a great job of explaining the differences upfront.

This post does exactly that. Here’s a plain-English breakdown of every major charging network operating in Queensland in 2026 — what they are, where they’re located, how much they cost, and when you’d actually use them.

The Networks Explained

1. Queensland Electric Super Highway (QESH) — Government Network

The Queensland Electric Super Highway is the state government’s own charging network — built specifically to open up regional Queensland to EV travel. It covers 54 charging locations across the state, connecting Brisbane to Mount Isa, Cairns to Goondiwindi, and out into the far west.

These chargers were funded by the Queensland government and are operated by Yurika (Energy Queensland). The goal was always coverage over profit — getting chargers into towns that commercial networks wouldn’t prioritise. QESH chargers are positioned along major regional highways and in towns that wouldn’t otherwise have fast charging infrastructure. Pricing is among the most competitive in the state — typically around 30 cents per kWh.

2. Evie Networks — Largest Dedicated Fast-Charging Network

Evie is Australia’s largest dedicated fast-charging network, with over 300 sites nationally. In Queensland, you’ll find Evie chargers at major shopping centres, highway service stops, and popular regional destinations. They operate ultra-fast DC chargers capable of up to 350 kW — most Queensland sites run at 50–150 kW in practice.

RACQ members receive a discount of 4 cents per kWh at Evie chargers in Queensland. Charging is paid through the Evie app or by contactless card — no membership required.

3. Chargefox — Motoring Club Platform

Chargefox is Australia’s largest EV charging platform, owned by the country’s motoring clubs including RACQ in Queensland. Rather than operating only its own chargers, Chargefox aggregates chargers from multiple operators into a single app and payment system. Through Chargefox you can find everything from free slow AC chargers at hotels and restaurants to ultra-rapid DC stations on major highways.

RACQ and NRMA members receive a 20% discount on DC charging sessions through Chargefox. For Queensland travellers, Chargefox is often the most useful app to have open because it shows the widest range of charger types — including destination chargers at accommodation, wineries, and tourist attractions.

4. Tesla Supercharger — Premium Network

Tesla’s Supercharger network is widely considered the gold standard for EV charging reliability. In Australia, Tesla now operates 116 Supercharger sites — in Queensland you’ll find them in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Townsville, and other major centres.

Critically, 66% of Australian Supercharger sites are now open to non-Tesla EVs with CCS2 inlets. Non-Tesla drivers charge via the Tesla app. Pricing varies by time of day, typically $0.43–$0.69 per kWh. For Tesla owners the experience is seamless — plug in, charging begins automatically.

5. NRMA Parks & Resorts — EV-Friendly Camping

NRMA Parks and Resorts has more than 20 Queensland holiday parks now with dedicated EV charging infrastructure. At parks like Atherton Tablelands, you can book a cabin or powered site with a charger reserved for your vehicle and top up overnight at AC speeds (around 7 kW). Some parks also have dedicated DC chargers at higher speeds.

6. AmpCharge (Ampol) — Fuel Retail Network

Ampol’s AmpCharge network has expanded to over 90 DC fast-charging sites nationally, with Queensland locations at major Ampol service centres along highways and in urban areas. Ampol is also leading the way in designing drive-through charging bays suitable for EVs towing caravans or trailers — a practical consideration most other networks have ignored entirely.

7. Jolt — Free Urban Charging

Jolt is unlike every other network on this list. Their kerbside urban chargers offer 7 kWh of free charging per day — enough for around 40–50 km — before a flat rate of 46 cents per kWh kicks in. The business model works because Jolt monetises the charger locations through advertising on the unit’s screen.

For city-based EV owners who top up frequently in small amounts, Jolt is excellent value. Chargers are slow (around 7 kW AC) and limited to Brisbane and the Gold Coast — not a road trip solution, but a smart complement to a home charger setup.

Which Network Should You Actually Use?

The honest answer: all of them, depending on where you are. Queensland’s charging landscape is a patchwork — no single network covers everything. Plan your route first in ABRP (which shows chargers from all networks), identify your stops, then know which app you’ll need at each one.

For a Brisbane-to-Cairns road trip, you’ll likely use QESH chargers in the regional gaps, Evie or Chargefox at major stops, Tesla Superchargers where available, and NRMA park charging for overnight stays. That’s four networks across one trip — with apps pre-downloaded it’s genuinely seamless.

The Apps Worth Having

ABRP (A Better Route Planner) — Enter your exact car model and it calculates charge stops based on real-time weather, elevation, and speed. The gold standard for EV road trip planning.

PlugShare — Real user check-ins and reviews for chargers everywhere. Invaluable for knowing if a charger is actually working before you arrive, especially in remote areas.

Chargefox — Covers the widest range of charger types in Queensland including destination chargers that other apps miss.

Evie Networks — For fast DC chargers on major routes. RACQ members get 4¢/kWh off in Queensland.

Tesla app — Non-Tesla drivers can now access 66% of Australian Supercharger sites. Worth having even if you don’t own a Tesla.

Charge@Large — Shows live status of 2,100+ charging units across nine networks. Useful for avoiding broken or occupied chargers.