EV Charging Hits the Mall: Ampol and Stockland Shift Gears

Ten fast EV chargers debut at a Shellharbour mall, signaling a retail-powered pivot for Australia's charging future.

14 Jul 2025

Australia’s latest electric vehicle (EV) charging hub is not on a highway or tucked behind a petrol station. It is in the car park of a shopping centre. Ampol and property developer Stockland have installed ten 150kW ultra-fast chargers at Stockland’s Shellharbour mall, south of Sydney. Drivers can now top up their batteries in under 30 minutes while browsing the shops.

This retail-based approach reflects a shift in thinking about EV infrastructure. Instead of focusing solely on long-distance corridors, energy providers are placing chargers in the places where people already spend time. The Shellharbour project is part of a federally supported scheme to expand charging access, with costs shared between government and business.

The chargers are connected to Ampol’s AmpCharge platform, allowing users to check availability and pay via app. Early signs point to solid usage. “This rollout supports the growing shift toward lower-emissions transport by meeting customer needs in locations they already frequent,” said an Ampol spokesperson. Gavin Boswell, Stockland’s development chief, described the move as part of building “more sustainable communities”.

More installations are planned across Victoria and Queensland, often in partnership with local councils. Shopping centres offer a convenient workaround to challenges that often delay roadside infrastructure: power supply, land use, and regulatory approval. They also come with a built-in advantage, foot traffic.

Retail landlords are paying attention. As EV adoption rises, placing chargers in dwell time locations could become a standard feature of modern commercial design. If recharging can become as routine as doing the weekly shop, the barriers to EV ownership may fall faster than expected.