New EV owner Peter Park ducked into the United Petrol station at Empire Bay for a soda. The attendant spotted his EV, sighed theatrically, and admitted he had “missed” Peter — or more accurately, Peter’s petrol purchases.
That exchange, plus the classic new EV owner “range anxiety,” turned out to be the only real bumps in Peter’s smooth shift to electric motoring. Now he glides past all petrol stations with a smile and a ~62.5 kWh battery smugly full.
After installing 35 solar panels (14.7 kW max output), a 24kWh battery from Electrify Bouddi partner MJJ’s Solar and Electrics and joining Amber’s virtual powerplant (VPP) in July 2025 — all supported by NSW and Federal rebates — Peter figured he’d reached peak green. Then he noticed his Sigenergy battery was full before noon on sunny days, leaving the panels idle until Amber tapped the battery during the 4–8 PM tariff peak. That excess solar needed a use.
Peter and Joy had already dipped into electrification with Toyota hybrids. By August 2025, a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) powered by their rooftop solar farm felt inevitable. After surveying the many excellent EVs on offer — including several featured at the May 2026 Electrify Bouddi Energy Action Day — Peter chose the Tesla Model Y Rear Wheel Drive, a “Juniper Refresh.” The near‑silent, extensive automation, and even Full Self‑Driving (Supervised) were easy to embrace. The remaining hurdle was “range anxiety” — the fear of running out of battery before reaching a working charger.
Sydney CBD and back — 194 km — proved effortless with his EV’s 375–425 km real‑world range. Many EVs now top 500 km, some even 600+. But a planned Hunter Valley trip — several wineries, an overnight stay and a 350 km round trip — felt closer to the edge.
A quick search showed a handful of chargers in the Hunter and a two‑stall unit at their lodging (BYO Type 2 cable). So, with fingers crossed, the cable packed, and Peter nobly volunteering as the designated wine-tasting driver, Joy and Peter with their son who was visiting from the US, set off for a great family break.
Spoiler Alert: Tyrrell’s in Pokolbin and other major wineries have chargers. Range anxiety evaporated faster than a Semillon on a hot day.
Peter says that in 2026, with a little planning, you can drive well inland before charging becomes a concern. For visitors arriving to our Bouddi Peninsula, the new Electrify Bouddi‑sponsored, NRMA‑developed charger at Empire Bay Tavern offers peace of mind — a top‑up, a cup of tea or a meal, and later a reassuring fill before heading home.
Range anxiety: gone. Petrol attendant: still grieving.
Equipment details:
| Equipment | Description | Supplied by |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels, Storage Battery, Inverter, Gateway, Controller, and EV Charger | 35 x Jinko 470kWh Panels, SigenStor 3 x 8kWh Battery modules - total 24.17kWh, SigenStor 12kWh Inverter. Sigenergy Gateway, Sigenergy Controller, Sigenergy 12kWh DC EV Charger Module, Replace/Upgrade Electrical, Panel, Wiring, Fireproof shielding, Bollards, etc. | MJJ's Solar & Electrics |
| Electric vehicle | 2025 Model Y 'Juniper' RWD | Tesla Australia |
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