EV Charging Networks in Queensland
EV Charging Networks in Queensland: Who's Who
Seven networks, half a dozen apps, and a few places you can still charge for free. Here's the plain-English map of charging in Queensland — so your next trip is all driving and no guessing.
First, the one app to install
Before any network app, get PlugShare. It's the community map that shows every public charger in Queensland regardless of who runs it, plus live "is it working?" check-ins from other drivers. For trip planning it's the single most useful tool you'll have. A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) is the second — it plots charging stops around your actual car and battery.
Everything below is about who owns the chargers and which network app you'll tap to start a session.
The major networks at a glance
| Network | Best for | Speed | App needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chargefox | Highway road trips — Australia's largest ultra-rapid network, run by the motoring clubs (incl. RACQ) | Up to 350 kW | Chargefox |
| Evie Networks | Wide coverage, easy to spot (teal bays, blue-bird logo) | Up to 350 kW | Evie |
| QESH (QLD Electric Super Highway) | The state-government corridor up the coast & into the regions | 50–350 kW | via Chargefox |
| Tesla Supercharger | Tesla drivers; many sites now open to all EVs | Up to 250 kW | Tesla |
| Ampol AmpCharge | Fuel-station forecourts on main routes | Up to 150 kW | Ampol |
| BP Pulse | Convenient stops along highways | Up to 150 kW | BP Pulse |
| Jolt | Quick metro top-ups — free daily allowance | Up to 25 kW | Jolt |
Where you can charge for free
Free charging still exists in Queensland, you just have to know where to look:
- Jolt gives a free daily allocation (commonly the first 7 kWh) at its metro chargers — enough for ~40–50 km a day. Top up while you grab a coffee.
- Council and shopping-centre chargers are often free or destination-rate. Many Queensland councils run free AC chargers in town centres and at tourist spots — PlugShare flags them.
- Accommodation chargers at caravan parks, hotels and wineries are frequently free for guests. Worth asking when you book a camp site.
Pricing changes often, so always confirm in-app before you plug in. The "free super highway" days are mostly gone — but smart stops can still cost you nothing.
How to think about speed
You don't always need the fastest charger — you need the right one for the stop:
- Ultra-rapid (150–350 kW): highway driving. Aim for 10–80% in roughly 15–30 minutes, then go. Don't sit to 100% on these — it's slow and ties up the bay.
- Fast DC (50 kW): a longer meal stop or regional town.
- AC destination (7–22 kW): overnight at camp or the motel. Plug in, sleep, wake up full.
Road-trip rule of thumb: charge to 80%, not 100%. The last 20% is the slowest part of the curve. Two quick 10–80% stops almost always beat one long 10–100% stop.
A simple Queensland trip plan
For a typical coastal or hinterland run from Brisbane:
- Leave home full (charge overnight on AC — kinder to the battery and cheapest).
- Plan one ultra-rapid stop on the way using Chargefox or Evie along the corridor.
- Pick accommodation with a charger so you wake up topped up for V2L camp power.
- Keep Jolt and PlugShare handy for free metro top-ups and live availability.
Arriving at camp with a full battery is what unlocks the best part of EV camping: running your whole campsite off the car. If your EV has Vehicle-to-Load, our V2L guide shows exactly what you can power and for how long.
Keep your charging kit sorted and your camp powered:
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