Ampol Floors the Accelerator on Fast EV Charging

Ampol teams up with Kempower to accelerate DC fast charging, starting in Sydney as uptime and grid-ready sites reshape Australia’s EV rollout

26 Jan 2026

Australia’s electric vehicle charging race is shifting gears, and the pressure is on to deliver.

Ampol has struck a new agreement with charging equipment specialist Kempower to expand its AmpCharge DC fast charging network across Australia and New Zealand. Announced in late December 2025, the deal shows how quickly major energy and retail players are moving to secure an edge as EV infrastructure scales.

The focus is firmly on execution. Kempower’s DC fast charging systems are designed for high power and strong uptime, a combination that matters as EVs move from novelty to necessity. Ampol’s first Kempower-equipped site is already operating in Sydney at Stockland Merrylands, where six 200 kW chargers offer a clear view of the company’s strategy. Fast, reliable charging at places drivers already visit.

As EV adoption rises, fast charging is becoming everyday infrastructure. It is no longer just about range anxiety on long road trips. For commuters and commercial fleets alike, predictable charging times are now essential. At this stage of the market, reliability often matters more than ambition.

Ampol’s partnership with Kempower aims to remove friction from the rollout process. Public charging projects frequently stall due to construction delays, local approvals, or limits on electricity connections rather than weak demand. Ampol has previously pointed to grid capacity as a key constraint. By standardising equipment and deployment models, the company can move quickly where sites are grid-ready and deliver a consistent experience across its network.

For Kempower, the deal brings both visibility and scale. Aligning with a national fuel and convenience retailer strengthens its position in a market where trust and uptime increasingly shape driver choice. As charging networks expand, reputation can matter as much as hardware.

Zooming out, Australia’s EV charging market is entering a consolidation phase. Prime service station locations are becoming strategic assets, and competition is shifting toward operational excellence. Networks that keep chargers running 99% of the time build confidence, open new travel corridors, and make EV ownership feel more practical.

The scale-up era has begun. The companies that execute best now are likely to shape Australia’s charging landscape for years to come.