The EV Charging Conference 2025, Australia’s leading event dedicated to EV charging and e-mobility, took place in Melbourne from 19–20 March.
The industry summit brought together renewable and energy leaders, policymakers, and infrastructure experts together to discuss the evolving landscape of electric vehicle charging.
Among the key speakers was Merrick Glass, Global Head of Strategy & Marketing, e-Mobility at Konect, a leading UK-based EV charging solutions provider.
Glass discussed the growing shift towards EVs and the challenges facing traditional fuel providers as the market adapts.
“One in ten new cars sold in Australia is now either an EV or a plug-in hybrid, driven by regulatory changes and an expanding range of models,” Glass said.
With more drivers opting for electric vehicles, charging options have diversified—ranging from home and public stations to retail sites.
However, to ensure high utilisation and return on investment, Glass emphasised the importance of providing a familiar fuelling experience, including well-lit and safe charging environments.
As competition among charge point operators (CPOs) increases, factors such as availability, profitability, and seamless consumer experience have become key differentiators for success.
Glass highlighted the risks of fragmented charging networks, which often struggle with complex integrations, service gaps, and prolonged downtime, ultimately impacting customer loyalty and financial viability.
A case study presented at the conference illustrated how an integrated EV charging ecosystem can improve uptime, revenue streams, and cost efficiency compared to a more fragmented approach.
“Lack of visibility and control over infrastructure can lead to inefficiencies and reduced ROI,” Glass said.
“An integrated solution, with a single point of contact and rapid problem resolution, helps ensure a more reliable and profitable charging network.”
To address these challenges, Konect introduced its turnkey EV ecosystem, designed to streamline the rollout and operation of EV charging infrastructure.
The company’s solution provides contract management, strong maintenance coverage, and a network operating centre for proactive support.
“Our goal is to make electrification more accessible and efficient for both CPOs and consumers,” Glass said.
By managing everything from site selection to ongoing maintenance, Konect aims to improve the scalability and reliability of EV charging across Australia.
Beyond individual charging networks, broader challenges such as grid stability and infrastructure development were key discussion points at the conference.
Experts from Energy Queensland, Endeavour Energy, and the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) shared insights on improving grid capacity to support growing EV adoption.
Meanwhile, JLL, CBRE, and Colliers examined the role of commercial real estate in addressing infrastructure bottlenecks, discussing how strategic property use can ensure financially viable, well-located, and seamlessly integrated charging solutions in urban environments.
For more renewable and solar news, subscribe to ecogeneration.