At SXSW Sydney this week, I attended “Charged for Change”, a session featuring Doug McNamee (JOLT), Emma Foley (Uber ANZ), Jonathan Williams (Polestar), and Sharnee Rawson (The Guardian Labs) — an insightful discussion about how electrification and consumer behaviour are reshaping Australia’s transport future.
One clear takeaway was that different charging solutions serve different needs. Fast chargers are essential for highways and high-traffic areas where drivers need quick top-ups, but they make less sense in regional areas where traffic is lighter, demand is seasonal, and installation costs can be difficult to recover — in some cases needing to reach $5 per kWh just to break even.
That leaves a gap. What happens when drivers are away from home and cannot charge where they stay? As the panel discussed, this is one of the biggest barriers to longer EV journeys.
Australia needs a stronger network of destination chargers and hospitality venues are perfectly placed to deliver it.
🌿 Why Destination Charging Matters
Destination charging uses Level-2 AC chargers that allow EV drivers to recharge fully in a few hours or overnight, or simply top up while enjoying lunch at a winery or checking in to a hotel.
It supports those who do not have access to home charging — travellers, apartment residents, or anyone on the move — and it fills the gap between home and highway charging. Most importantly, it keeps travel effortless and sustainable, without the stress of planning where to plug in.
For hospitality venues, this creates a real opportunity. Instead of watching EV drivers detour elsewhere, venues can host charging on-site, turning an unused parking space into an amenity that attracts new guests, increases dwell time and spend, and strengthens customer loyalty.
⚡ Turning Emissions into Opportunity with ivygo
At ivygo, we help local hotels, motels, cafés, and wineries offer destination charging simply and profitably.
Guests find, book, and pay automatically through the ivygo app.
Hosts earn from every session — without fixed costs or complicated systems.
Here’s why destination charging with ivygo makes sense for hospitality venues — and for Australia’s broader EV rollout:
Lower grid impact – Level-2 chargers draw less power, often overnight, reducing strain on local networks.
Fast, scalable setup – Chargers use existing power supply, allowing new hosts to come online quickly without major construction.
Seasonal flexibility – Venues can adjust pricing and availability based on demand.
Local economic value – Every session supports a small business and encourages visitors to spend more time — and money — in the region.
Complements fast charging – Destination charging does not replace highway networks; it completes the picture, keeping regional Australia connected and EV travel practical.
In short, destination charging is smarter, simpler, and more sustainable for both the grid and the people who depend on it.
And ivygo makes it easy for local businesses to be part of that future, turning underused assets into value without complexity.
🏨 The Hospitality Advantage
The hospitality industry has always adapted to meet guest expectations. Remember when offering Wi-Fi gave early adopters an edge? Within a few years, it became standard.
EV charging is following the same path.
A 2024 survey by the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) and El-Monde EV found that 91% of EV drivers are more likely to stay at destinations offering charging, and 73% are willing to pay for it (Travel Industry Times, 2024).
And with the Electric Vehicle Council forecasting 1 million EVs by 2027 and 2.5 million by 2030, one in four travellers could soon arrive in an EV.
In our earlier article, EV Charging for Hotels and Motels in Australia: A Competitive Advantage with ivygo, we explored how offering charging creates a competitive edge. This new piece builds on that, showing how destination charging also supports the national transition to clean transport — while strengthening regional tourism and local economies.
⚡ Ready to Get Started?
Whether you run a motel, café, or regional winery, adding your charger to ivygo is quick and hassle free. We can also help you get started through our partnerships with trusted EV charger distributors and installers.
When you start sharing your charger, you can:
Start earning in days;
Attract new EV-driving guests; and
Help make EV travel simpler and more sustainable.
👉 Learn more and start hosting EV charging at your venue: ivygo.com.au/business-hosts
