A Queensland firm named Tritium is set to export its Veefil fast charger for electric vehicles, after securing $2.5 million from the state government's Business Development Fund (BDF).
Tritium has been in business for over 10 years, operating as "a specialist designer and manufacturer of power-electronic systems, fast chargers for electric vehicles (EV) and battery energy-storage applications". It has supported the Aurora Solar Car Team that has competed in the World Solar Challenge.
The company announced its Veefil charger for EVs back in 2013. It has raised $2.5 million from private investors, now matched by the funding from the BDF, to commence an export programme for the fast charger.
Tritium claims that the Veefil unit is compact in size for installation at the end of any standard parking bay. Unlike other fast chargers, Veefil is water-cooled, yet still light enough to be installed quickly and affordably. It's compliant with CHAdeMO & SAE-Combo standards, the former being compatible with Tesla's Model S.
Cost is competitive for companies buying 20 or more units, Tritium advises, and customers can brand each Veefil with their own logo and associated graphics. The unit itself is a 50kW system running direct current, and Tritium claims it's the most advanced fast charger of its type in the world. An aluminium construction keeps weight down to 165kg, and the unit will operate in temperatures ranging from -35° to +50° Celsius.
According to the company, the Veefil unit can boost an EV's battery charge by 50km in 10 minutes, and charges 25 times faster than a conventional 10Amp power outlet.
"The international market for EVs is beginning to accelerate and with the maturity of our product and a strong foothold overseas, we are well placed to capitalise on our experience and knowledge of building successful charging infrastructure," said David Finn, Tritium MD.
"We are the only Australian company to design and manufacture EV charging stations locally and our Veefil units are installed globally on major charging networks and fast-charging highways."
The Veefil unit has already been sold in the USA, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. According to Queensland treasurer Curtis Pitt, the additional funding from the BDF will help Tritium expand its sales around the world.
"This home-grown company is the first to receive funding from the Business Development Fund and it's exactly the type of innovative business that the BDF is looking to invest in," Pitt said.
"The investment will help this world-leading Queensland business bring its innovative tech products onto the market sooner."