Charge the Hunter
Making the Hunter Valley the destination of choice for EV drivers
A new type of visitor is emerging: Electric vehicle drivers are already choosing where to stop, stay and spend based on where they can charge, favouring destinations that make it easy and reliable. The Hunter is well positioned to lead.
Charge the Hunter is a regional initiative led by ivygo, working with councils, tourism organisations and local businesses to build a connected network of bookable EV chargers across the Hunter Valley.
The goal is simple:
- Make charging seamless for drivers
- Help local businesses attract high-value visitors
- Position the Hunter as Australia’s leading EV-ready destination
Why the Hunter Valley?
The Hunter has everything needed to lead EV tourism
1.5M+ visitors per year
Mostly arriving by car and staying on average for 2 nights
High-value travellers
Weekend visitors from Sydney and Newcastle who are switching to EV
Long dwell time
Tastings, long lunches and overnight stays across nearby venues
EV charging gap
Less than 5% of venues offer accessible EV charging
EV drivers are choosing differently
EV drivers choose where to stop based on charging.
Venues that make charging visible and easy are capturing more bookings, longer stays and higher spend.
80%
Book venues with charging
78%
will pay for the peace of mind
71%
buy in store whilst charging
When charging is visible, easy and reliable, guests choose you first and stay longer.
Ready to capture EV visitors?
Turn your car park into a customer magnet
EV drivers are already choosing venues based on charging. This is how your business can benefit.
Already have an EV charger?
List it on ivygo for free and turn it into a new customer and revenue channel.
Set your own price and availability
Make your charger visible and bookable
ivygo handles bookings, payments and support
No fixed fees. ivygo only earns when you do.
Set your own price and availability
Make your charger visible and bookable
ivygo handles bookings, payments and support
No EV charger yet?
Get started with a simple, affordable setup and start attracting EV drivers.
Charger hardware and installation sorted
Financing options, including zero upfront cost
Scale as demand grows
Get set up quickly and start capturing EV visitors.
Charger hardware and installation sorted
Financing options, including zero upfront cost
Scale as demand grows
Why Businesses Choose ivygo
ivygo helps you attract EV drivers and turn charging into a revenue opportunity, without upfront cost or complexity.
Attract more customers
Set price & availability
We handle everything
Earn from charging
ivygo is a platform designed for hospitality venues and businesses, helping you attract EV drivers and turn charging into a customer and revenue opportunity.
Ready to get started?
More venues are joining each week across the Hunter
More venues are joining each week, attracting EV drivers and turning charging into a new revenue opportunity.
For councils and tourism organisations
ivygo works with councils, tourism organisations and local partners to support local businesses attract the next generation of visitors and position regions as EV-ready destinations.
Through a practical, on-the-ground approach, we roll out connected networks of bookable EV chargers, making it easy for visitors to plan their trip and for venues to get started quickly.
How we support your region
Education
Practical sessions to help local businesses understand the opportunity and get started
Collaboration
Working with councils, tourism organisations and local partners to build a connected network fast
Activation
Get venues visible, positioning the region as EV-friendly and attracting new visitors
ivygo is already working with the Singleton Council and partners across the Hunter to activate EV charging locally.
Bring this to your region:
Our Partners
Testimonials
“Listing our chargers on ivygo has been a real game changer for us. Julie was incredibly helpful in getting everything set up and made the process simple.
Before ivygo, we offered free charging and often found that drivers would plug in without even coming through the cellar door. Now, charging is bookable and paid via the ivygo app, which gives us the opportunity to actively bring people into the venue.
We are also seeing strong value for our overnight guests, who appreciate being able to book a charger in advance for peace of mind during their stay.”
— Kate, Adina Vineyard & Olive Grove, Lovedale
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to list my charger on ivygo?
Listing is completely free. There are no fixed fees and no lock ins. ivygo only takes a percentage on completed bookings as a listing fee and you keep the rest.
Who sets the charging price?
You do. You choose your hourly rate. ivygo provides recommended pricing based on your charger speed and local demand, but the final price is always up to you.
I currently offer free EV charging to my customers. Why would I consider changing this?
Many venues start by offering free EV charging as a simple service for guests, and that approach can work well in the early days. As EV travel increases, however, more businesses are finding that how charging is offered matters just as much as whether it is offered.
EV drivers are increasingly planning their trips in advance and looking for reliable, bookable charging so they can relax and enjoy their visit, rather than sitting in the car waiting, driving around looking for a charger that works or worrying about whether a charger will be available.
In fact:
91% of EV drivers plan their trip around where they will charge
78% value reliability and the ability to book ahead more than price
Further, most EV drivers expect to pay for the electricity they use to charge their car, in the same way that guests have never expected a venue to cover the cost of petrol to get there! What matters most to drivers is transparency, convenience and peace of mind.
Using a booking based approach does not mean losing your hospitality values. It allows venues to:
give guests confidence that charging will be available when they arrive
reduce situations where people occupy chargers without coming inside
recover electricity costs in a simple and transparent way
attract visitors who plan ahead, stay longer and spend time on site
Venues that are already onboarded with us use EV charging as a marketing and visibility tool, similar to being listed on Booking.com or Airbnb. It helps guests discover your venue at the planning stage and supports visits that are intentional, relaxed and commercially sustainable.
There is no fixed fee to list a charger on ivygo. You only pay a small percentage when a booking takes place, allowing you to evolve your approach as demand grows.
Will EV charging increase my electricity bill?
Your hourly rate should cover your electricity costs and still generate revenue.
If you want to reduce your overall energy bill, our partner Choice Energy offers a free electricity assessment to help you find a better plan.
Can I list multiple chargers at my venue?
Yes. You can list several chargers or bays and duplicate your listing in the app in seconds. This is ideal for wineries, restaurants, hotels, motels and larger tourism operators.
What if I do not have an EV charger yet?
No problem. We connect you with trusted hardware and installation partners in the Hunter Valley and help you choose and install the right Level 2 charger for your venue.
Do I need special hardware for ivygo?
No. ivygo works with any Level 2 charger. If you already have a charger, you can list it immediately. If not, we can help you install one quickly and affordably.
How do EV drivers find my venue?
Your charger becomes visible on ivygo, Google Maps, PlugShare and other EV platforms. This helps EV visitors discover your venue, plan their day and book ahead. We also work with Europcar, Turo and Destination NSW, who run campaigns to promote the Hunter Valley and highlight participating venues to their customers.
Can guests book their charging time in advance?
Yes. Drivers can check availability up to 90 days in advance, book a timeslot and pay before they arrive. This gives them peace of mind and helps you manage visitor flow more predictably.
How do my business get paid?
Drivers pay through the app when they book, and your earnings are transferred once a month to the bank account you nominate when you list your charger. All payments are processed securely through Stripe, and ivygo does not store or access any of your payment information.
What support does ivygo provide?
ivygo manages bookings, payments, reminders and guest support. Your team does not need to do anything extra, you simply provide the parking spot and welcome new visitors.
If you would like support, you can reach us at [email protected] or +61255636824.
I have now listed my charger… what’s next?
Great work — your venue is now EV-ready. Once your charger is live, EV drivers can find and book it on ivygo, Google Maps, PlugShare and other EV platforms.
To help you make the most of your listing, we will send you:
Stickers with clear instructions to place on your charger
In-venue material for your reception, bar, counter or guest areas so visitors know they can book and charge while they are with you
We also recommend updating your website to let visitors know your charger is now bookable via ivygo.
If you are a hotel, motel or short-term rental, update your accommodation listing as well — many guests now filter by EV charging when choosing where to stay.
Can I also add my home charger or short-term rental on ivygo?
Yes. If you want to share your home charger with neighbours or list an EV charger at a short-term rental such as an Airbnb, you can do that easily on ivygo as well.
You will find all the details here:
Register