Chargefox App adds NRMA EV chargers: What it means for you 

For Australian electric vehicle (EV) drivers, an optimal charging experience remains a top priority. The NRMA knows that a common concern for EV drivers in Australia is the number of apps used to access public charging infrastructure.

However, EV drivers must download many apps to access public EV chargers – one for each network. It’s not an ideal experience, to be sure.

To help combat this issue, the NRMA is collaborating with Chargefox to make its EV chargers available through the Chargefox app.

This will help reduce “app fatigue”, assisting drivers who want to transition to electric mobility, thereby helping Australia reduce its carbon emissions and improving air quality and associated health outcomes.

It’s the first time in Australia that two charging networks have joined forces to bring networks together under one app, heralding a new era in charging network accessibility and user experience. 

No, but they're related in a way. In 2022, Australian Mobility Clubs (AMS), the umbrella organisation of Australia’s motorist associations which includes the NRMA, became the sole owner of Chargefox. However, the NRMA and Chargefox operate as independent entities.

Making the NRMA’s EV chargers available through the Chargefox app is the next step in the collaboration between the two bodies. Known as “EV roaming”, it will enable EV drivers to find and select chargers, and activate and deactivate charging sessions in one convenient place.

Because there are already thousands of Chargefox users, making the NRMA’s EV chargers available through the Chargefox app will mean using the NRMA national network is even easier for more people.

EV roaming acts a bit like mobile phone roaming. The OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface) protocol that makes it possible is internationally regulated and enables EV charging operators (such as Chargefox) and providers (such as the NRMA) to communicate via an app.

Just as your phone connects to different networks to maintain service out of your usual area, EV roaming enables EVs to charge across different network stations without multiple memberships or apps.

This technology ensures that EV drivers can access a wider network of chargers. It is the first time this technology has been used in Australia, underscoring the NRMA’s commitment to future-proof driving for future generations of Australians. 

When will EV roaming be available for EV drivers? 

In early April 2024, EV roaming opened as a trial to a small number of NRMA members. All of NRMA’s EV chargers – both DC fast chargers and AC destination chargers - can be viewed in the app for these users.

Feedback from the EV roaming trial will guide integration of future features, and be rolled out in phases until all Chargefox users can access the NRMA EV chargers through the app. 

 

Will the NRMA member discount for EV charging apply to NRMA-owned chargers in the Chargefox app? 

This cohort currently cannot access the 10 per cent NRMA discount for members on the NRMA’s EV chargers via the Chargefox app (but they can still via the NRMA app.)

The 10 per cent discount for the Chargefox-managed network available to all AMS motorist associations (which also include RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, and RACT) is still available to all members in the Chargefox app.

 

Can non-NRMA members access the NRMA chargers? 

Yes. For non-NRMA EV owners who use the Chargefox app, this collaboration will mean access to more EV chargers without the need for additional registrations or software.  

 

What are the benefits of adding the NRMA’s chargers to the Chargefox app?

• Enhanced accessibility: Making NRMA chargers available through the Chargefox network means more locations and fewer worries about range or finding a compatible charger.
• Simple and convenient: Your Chargefox app now serves as a universal key to 96 more chargers and growing, simplifying the charging experience, reducing range anxiety and supporting the shift to electric mobility.
• Unified billing and tracking: All your charging activity, regardless of the network, comes consolidated in one app, simplifying the management of your EV charging needs.
• First of its kind in Australia: This integration is pioneering for the Australian market, setting a precedent for network collaboration and user convenience. 

What features are included in the Chargefox app for NRMA chargers? 

In the initial rollout, the Chargefox app will enable users to: 

• See real-time visible charger status 
• Select, start and stop a charger session 
• View real-time transaction details 
• Enter payment details 
• View payment tariffs 

All whilst ensuring a smooth and transparent charging experience. 

 

Can Chargefox chargers be accessed via the NRMA app? 

No. While NRMA's chargers are being added to the Chargefox network, the reverse is not occurring at this stage. This means Chargefox app users gain access to more chargers, but NRMA app users will not have access to Chargefox chargers through our app. 

Will NRMA chargers still be accessible via the NRMA app? 

Yes, members and guests will still be able to activate and pay for NRMA-owned EV chargers via the My NRMA app. Invoicing and billing history will also be available there for charging sessions initiated via the My NRMA app. 

I’m an NRMA member. Which app should I use? 

That’s really up to you! If you want to continue benefiting from the 10 per cent discount for NRMA chargers, continue using the My NRMA app.  

If you want to benefit from the convenience of using one app for both NRMA and Chargefox-managed chargers, use the Chargefox app. It is anticipated that the discount will be added to the Chargefox app in time also. 

What’s the difference between NRMA and Chargefox EV chargers? 

The NRMA owns, and Chargefox manages, a broad range of chargers, from destination chargers key locations, to rapid chargers on highways and key regional locations. 

Some Chargefox rapid chargers have been installed with funding from the NRMA – so they have both a Chargefox and NRMA logo on them. There are also Chargefox-managed chargers that are owned by other operators.  

NRMA chargers, by comparison, are only branded with the NRMA signature blue and logo. 

The beauty of making the NRMA chargers available through the Chargefox app is that it actually won’t matter whether you know who operates which chargers, because you will be able to activate them through the same app. 

This integration is part of a broader initiative to make EV driving as convenient as possible.

This collaboration between the NRMA and Chargefox not only exemplifies the unified spirit needed to advance Australia's EV infrastructure but also directly contributes to an improved, user-focused charging experience.

As Australia's EV charging network grows and evolves, making these two major EV charging networks available through one app marks a significant step forward in Australia's electric transport journey.