Bunnings rolls out secret new feature for drivers
By
Gian T
- Replies 5
If you own one of those sleek, quiet rides or have been thinking about getting one, there’s exciting news from one of Australia’s favourite retailers.
A well-known store is quietly introducing a new feature in select carparks that promises to make life easier for drivers of these modern vehicles: on-site charging stations.
Now, while you browse for home essentials or tackle your next project, your car can recharge, too.
So far, Bunnings has installed EV chargers at 14 stores across New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and even New Zealand.
With more than 500 stores across Australia and New Zealand, this is just the beginning.
The rollout is being carefully targeted to areas where demand for EV charging is highest, so if your local Bunnings doesn’t have one yet, keep your eyes peeled—it could be coming soon.
The chargers themselves are no slouches, either. Depending on the location, you’ll find a mix of 22kW, 50kW, and super-fast 120kW chargers.
For context, a 120kW charger can add hundreds of kilometres of range in the time it takes to grab a snag and wander the garden section.
As Sydney local and EV enthusiast Sarah Aubrey put it after discovering the Alexandria store’s charger:
‘You’re at Bunnings, you’re spending some time here lollygagging, 120 kilowatts, that is very fast. So you’ll be good to go. I am so stoked about that, that is awesome.’
Bunnings is making it easy for customers to find and use these chargers. You can check your favourite EV charging app to see if your local store has a charger installed, and there’s clear signage and instructions in the carpark to help you get plugged in and powered up.
And it’s not just about charging on the go. Bunnings has also started stocking a range of EV-related products, including Tesla’s Powerwall home batteries and wall-mounted EV chargers for home installation.
According to Bunnings’ Director of Merchandise, Cam Rist, these products are being rolled out to 40 pilot stores across Australia, making it easier (and more affordable) for Aussies to embrace the EV revolution.
Australia’s EV market is growing rapidly, but one of the biggest hurdles for would-be owners is ‘range anxiety’—the fear of running out of juice with nowhere to charge.
By adding chargers to their carparks, Bunnings is helping to fill in the gaps and make EV ownership more practical for everyday Aussies.
It’s a win-win: you get your shopping done, and your car gets a top-up.
Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there.
A recent University of Queensland study found that more than a third of Australians believe at least one myth about EVs, with nearly half thinking that battery-powered cars are more likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel vehicles.
Other common misconceptions include the belief that EV batteries can’t be upgraded or that the environmental impact of manufacturing outweighs the benefits of lower emissions.
These myths can make people hesitant to make the switch, even as more charging options become available.
With government incentives, falling prices, and more charging infrastructure popping up every month, the future is looking bright for electric vehicles Down Under.
Bunnings’ move is just one example of how businesses are adapting to meet the needs of a changing world—and making it easier for all of us to make greener choices.
Credit: TikTok
Are you an EV owner who’s used a Bunnings charger? Are you considering making the switch to electric, or do you still have questions or concerns? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Share your stories in the comments below.
Read more: Shocking truth behind empty Bunnings shelves—what they're not telling you!
A well-known store is quietly introducing a new feature in select carparks that promises to make life easier for drivers of these modern vehicles: on-site charging stations.
Now, while you browse for home essentials or tackle your next project, your car can recharge, too.
So far, Bunnings has installed EV chargers at 14 stores across New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and even New Zealand.
With more than 500 stores across Australia and New Zealand, this is just the beginning.
The rollout is being carefully targeted to areas where demand for EV charging is highest, so if your local Bunnings doesn’t have one yet, keep your eyes peeled—it could be coming soon.
The chargers themselves are no slouches, either. Depending on the location, you’ll find a mix of 22kW, 50kW, and super-fast 120kW chargers.
For context, a 120kW charger can add hundreds of kilometres of range in the time it takes to grab a snag and wander the garden section.
As Sydney local and EV enthusiast Sarah Aubrey put it after discovering the Alexandria store’s charger:
‘You’re at Bunnings, you’re spending some time here lollygagging, 120 kilowatts, that is very fast. So you’ll be good to go. I am so stoked about that, that is awesome.’
Bunnings is making it easy for customers to find and use these chargers. You can check your favourite EV charging app to see if your local store has a charger installed, and there’s clear signage and instructions in the carpark to help you get plugged in and powered up.
And it’s not just about charging on the go. Bunnings has also started stocking a range of EV-related products, including Tesla’s Powerwall home batteries and wall-mounted EV chargers for home installation.
According to Bunnings’ Director of Merchandise, Cam Rist, these products are being rolled out to 40 pilot stores across Australia, making it easier (and more affordable) for Aussies to embrace the EV revolution.
Australia’s EV market is growing rapidly, but one of the biggest hurdles for would-be owners is ‘range anxiety’—the fear of running out of juice with nowhere to charge.
It’s a win-win: you get your shopping done, and your car gets a top-up.
Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there.
A recent University of Queensland study found that more than a third of Australians believe at least one myth about EVs, with nearly half thinking that battery-powered cars are more likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel vehicles.
Other common misconceptions include the belief that EV batteries can’t be upgraded or that the environmental impact of manufacturing outweighs the benefits of lower emissions.
With government incentives, falling prices, and more charging infrastructure popping up every month, the future is looking bright for electric vehicles Down Under.
Bunnings’ move is just one example of how businesses are adapting to meet the needs of a changing world—and making it easier for all of us to make greener choices.
Credit: TikTok
Key Takeaways
- Bunnings Warehouse has started installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the car parks of selected stores across NSW, Victoria, WA and New Zealand, allowing customers to recharge their cars while they shop.
- The rollout includes a range of chargers, with speeds up to 120kW at some locations, and is currently targeted to areas with the highest perceived demand.
- Bunnings has also begun selling EV-related products, like home charging units and Tesla Powerwall batteries, making it easier for customers to own and maintain electric vehicles.
- Despite growing EV infrastructure, research shows a significant number of Australians still believe myths and misinformation about electric vehicles, particularly regarding battery fire risks and upgradeability.
Read more: Shocking truth behind empty Bunnings shelves—what they're not telling you!