Why are Tully and Marlborough still faulted?

3 Jan 2023

Looking at our route for the trip back south, it seems that the chargers at Tully and Marlborough are still faulted, and will have been for weeks! This is at probably the busiest time of the year. How is this acceptable? If another charger at a town either side of these also faults, then that creates a stretch that will be too long for some vehicles.

RACQ and Chargefox: It’s great that you’ve put these chargers in place, but you can’t call it the “Queensland Electric Super Highway” unless you guarantee a certain amount of up time and make it feasible for EVs to travel through quickly.

18 comments

RACQ via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023

Thank you for your feedback and making us aware of this. We would like to pass this on to the relevant department, please send us a private message with your full name, phone number and email address. Regards Suzana

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Kylie Gilroy via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023

The Tully one was working when we checked a few days ago on our way up to Cairns, it was going to be one of our stops if needed.

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1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 3 Jan 2023
  
  Kylie Gilroy The slower AC is listed as working, but not the faster 50kW DC charger. Which one did you use?
  
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  1. Kylie Gilroy via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping we didn't end up going there, our original navigation plans changed
    
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Kylie Gilroy via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023

Tesla Tripping aren't these ones also chargefox not RACQ

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1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 3 Jan 2023
  
  Kylie Gilroy My understanding (which may be wrong) is that these chargers are a joint venture between RACQ, Chargefox and Yurika. I may have also read that RACQ, RACV and The NRMA actually bought out ChargeFox?
  
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  1. Kylie Gilroy via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping whoa thank you, I didn't know that, my apologies
    
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  2. Gary Voltz via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping
    
    You are correct. ChargeFox was bought in June 2022 by Australian Motoring Services (AMS) which is the patent group of NRMA, RACQ, RACV, SAA, RACWA etc.
    
    https://www.chargefox.com/acquisition-of-chargefox-by-aus…
    
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  3. Greg EV via Facebook ↗ 5 Jan 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping QESH chargers are owned by the Qld Govt via Yurika (Part of Energy Qld). They contract ChargeFox to manage the payment/software side only. Not sure about what hardware maintenance contracts they have in place with anyone else.
    
    Across all non Tesla charger networks in Australia we've seen chargers out of action for up to 7 months straight in regional locations with only 1 charger. As EV drivers we need to demand, and possibly pay more $ for, better rapid charger reliability.
    
    Just my 2 bobs worth 🤣
    
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2. Kylie Gilroy via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023
  
  HAHAHAHAHAHA clearly I don't take much notice, there's the RACQ logo 🤦🏼‍♀️
  
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Camelia Hickman via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023

Melbournes route is even worse! Every single Chargefox station is faulty but 1 bay in Goulburn, which is super busy as only 1 of the 2 stations is working.

Thank goodness we have superchargers and don’t need to rely on chargefox

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1. Linda M R-b via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023
  
  Camelia Hickman you do in Queensland North of Gympie there are no more superchargers! Tesla ???
  
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  1. John Chidgey via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023
    
    Linda Mae Reeb Yes, and the Bundaberg/Childers and Rockhampton planned Tesla chargers were originally supposed to be installed six months ago. They keep slipping further and further...
    
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Clinton Moller via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023

Mark Bailey MP another couple of faulty QESH chargers to follow up with yurika 🙂

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RACQ via Facebook ↗ 3 Jan 2023

Tesla Tripping Hi there, for hardware faults the issue once logged gets directed to Yurika who own and operate the chargers (unless it is a software fault which goes to Chargefox). If a charger is down for a period, it is more likely to be hardware or local network issue. Yurika and RACQ are aware of this issue and planning is underway to increase the number of chargers at sites and in locations to add additional capacity and redundancy. If you would like us to lodge this feedback on your behalf, you are more than welcome to send us a private message with your details. Thanks, Tori

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Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 4 Jan 2023

RACQ Thank heaps for the detail of what happens behind the curtain. Can you please tell us what is happening with the repair of these chargers? Are these hardware faults, in which case it’s up to Yurika? Is there some agreed minimum percentage uptime and maximum offline time? Please understand that weeks offline is an absurd and unworkable outcome.

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RACQ via Facebook ↗ 5 Jan 2023

Tesla Tripping Hi there, most of the time if the charger is down for a period, it is likely to be a hardware or local network issue. The delay in repairs are due to unavailability of parts or other manufacturer support issues. We encourage you to reach out on the customer service/support number, which is available at all QESH charging sites, should you require assistance or want to report any issues. Thanks, Tori

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Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 5 Jan 2023

RACQ Hi Tori. Thanks again for the dialog. I don’t have anything to report other than what you already know. So, I presume that my phone call would be redundant, yes?

What I can’t understand is the unavailability of parts for what is essential infrastructure. Surely the manufacturer agreement should require that all parts are on hand to facilitate a fix within 24 hours? I just cannot fathom how it is acceptable for the only fast charger within hundreds of kilometres to be “faulted” for weeks, while waiting for parts ☹️.

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