Founded in 2015 by Sam Korkees and Brendan Wheeler, EVSE has been at the forefront of providing electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions across Australia and New Zealand. In a recent interview for the Fleet News Group podcast, Sam shared the journey of EVSE, from its humble beginnings to becoming a leading player in the electric vehicle charging infrastructure space.
Early days: An uncertain beginning
Like many innovative ventures, the path to success for EVSE was not straightforward. Sam interest in electric vehicles started early and he recalled how a fascination with hobby cars with lithium batteries connected him electric motors. However, turning this passion into a business was initially met with skepticism.
In 2015, when EVSE was launched, Australia’s EV market was virtually non-existent. The primary options were the Nissan LEAF, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Tesla’s Model S. At that time, many car manufacturers gave away EV chargers as part of vehicle purchases, making it difficult for a start-up selling portable chargers and cables to gain traction. Sam and Brendan faced years of financial loss and doubt, but their belief in the long-term potential of EVs kept them moving forward.
From struggles to success
Despite the slow market uptake in Australia, Sam and Brendan focused on creating end-to-end charging solutions rather than relying solely on “dumb” home chargers. They recognised the need for public charging infrastructure, fleet management, and load management in commercial settings—solutions that would prove critical as the EV market matured.
Their persistence paid off. Over the years, EVSE grew from a small garage operation into a nationwide provider of EV charging solutions, with an expanded presence in New Zealand. Today, the company prides itself on offering reliable, future-proof technology, with many of its earliest installations still operational.
Fleets and the transition to electric
EVSE has witnessed a significant shift in how fleets approach EV adoption. In the early days, electric vehicles were often purchased as a token sustainability gesture. Typically, organisations would acquire one or two vehicles—often a Nissan LEAF—and install a single charger, more as a publicity tool than a practical fleet solution. However, this has changed as the technology has improved, and businesses have recognised the economic and environmental benefits of EVs.
In particular, the Queensland Government has been a pioneer in fleet electrification. With over 1,000 electric vehicles and a network of chargers, Queensland has proven that EVs can effectively replace traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, especially in government fleets. According to Sam, a back-to-base charging model, where vehicles return to a central depot for overnight charging, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to manage EV fleets.
Charging as a Service: The next frontier
As the EV market evolves, so too do the needs of businesses and fleet managers. EVSE has recognised that many organisations are hesitant to invest heavily in charging infrastructure, particularly when it comes to home charging for employees. Concerns about liability, installation costs, and the complexity of managing charging at employees’ homes have been significant barriers to fleet electrification.
To address these challenges, EVSE recently introduced its “Charging as a Service” product. This innovative solution allows businesses to avoid the upfront capital expenditure of installing charging infrastructure by spreading the cost across a simple monthly fee. For fleet managers, this model mirrors the simplicity of paying for telematics or other services, eliminating the need for complex business cases and large capital outlays.
Charging as a Service covers both home and depot charging solutions. For home charging, EVSE provides a straightforward package: a single-phase or three-phase charger installed at the employee’s residence, with the electricity usage monitored and reimbursed by the employer. If a charger breaks down, EVSE handles the maintenance and replacement, ensuring minimal disruption to the employee’s ability to perform their duties. The service also provides flexibility, allowing chargers to be relocated if an employee leaves or a vehicle is reassigned.
For depots, EVSE offers a more tailored approach, designing and installing charging solutions that meet the specific needs of the fleet. This includes a combination of AC and DC chargers, depending on the size of the vehicles and the speed at which they need to be charged. As fleets grow or shift, EVSE’s solution can scale up or down accordingly, providing flexibility to meet changing requirements.
The future: Vehicle-to-Grid and heavy vehicles
EVSE is also preparing for the next wave of advancements in EV technology, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities. While still in the testing phase, Sam is enthusiastic about the potential for V2G to allow electric vehicles to power homes or feed energy back into the grid. However, he acknowledges that it will take time for the necessary regulations and vehicle warranties to align with this vision.
Another key area of focus for EVSE is heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses. These vehicles require much larger battery capacities and faster charging times than passenger cars, and EVSE is already working on solutions to meet these needs. The upcoming Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard, currently being trialled in the US and Europe, will be essential for supporting the electrification of heavy-duty fleets.
Australia’s growing EV market
Australia is catching up to global leaders like Norway, Germany, and the UK in EV adoption. According to Sam, the market is now more mature, with a wider variety of vehicles available at price points that make sense for both private buyers and fleets. While early adopters were mostly high-end buyers purchasing Teslas, the introduction of affordable models like the BYD and MG EVs has broadened the market. Fleets, which account for half of all new vehicle purchases in Australia, are beginning to make the switch to EVs, driven by sustainability goals and long-term cost savings.
A bright future for EVSE
As EV adoption continues to grow, EVSE remains at the forefront of charging infrastructure innovation. With its comprehensive range of solutions—from public and fleet charging to its new Charging as a Service offering—EVSE is well-positioned to support the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable transport system. By making it easier for businesses to adopt EVs without the financial or logistical hurdles, EVSE is not only driving its own success but also helping to pave the way for widespread EV adoption across Australia.
