Oz Shoppers Can Charge Purchases Inside, EVs Outside

BMW Australia connects with a shopping-center chain to provide 40 electric-vehicle charging stations at 10 facilities across three eastern Australian states.

The German automaker says its partnership with Scentre Group will see four charging stations installed at the 10 Westfield centers in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The stations can be used by any EV free of charge.

There are about 8,000 EVs in Australia and the number is expected to top 35,000 by 2024.

Scentre Group Leasing General Manager Tim Roberts says the alliance with BMW is intended to provide convenience for EV drivers in local communities.

“EV drivers will be able to identify charging-station locations in our centers via the ChargePoint app, online or through their BMW navigation system,” he says in a statement.

BMW Australia CEO Marc Werner says the program is designed to facilitate EV growth.

“The new charging stations at Westfield locations is another way BMW is providing mobility solutions to our customers as BMW i electric vehicles gain momentum in the Australian market,” he says.

Six of the charging centers are in the greater Sydney area of New South Wales, two in Queensland and two in Victoria.