A Spanish company helping to drive the take-up of electric cars has established its Australian and New Zealand headquarters in Melbourne, attracted by Victoria’s innovation culture and advanced tech workforce.
Image: Wallbox home garage - outdoor
The opening of the Wallbox operation in the CBD is the latest coup for Victoria in attracting innovative global companies to the state.
Wallbox is a pioneer in bi-directional technology, allowing the use of an EV battery or a fleet of connected EVs for energy storage and use.
With a growing customer base in the region, the New York Stock Exchange-listed company chose Melbourne as its Australian and New Zealand HQ because of the state’s thriving renewable energy sector, encouraged by the Victorian Government’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
Douglas Alfaro Chief Business Officer of Wallbox said, “The combination of talent, location and leadership in terms of the electric mobility movement made Victoria a great choice for basing our ANZ HQ.”
“We’re excited to continue supporting and facilitating the adoption of electric vehicles throughout ANZ as our local presence grows in Victoria,” he added.
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Barcelona, Wallbox employs 1,200 people in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The smart electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management provider develops and manufactures solutions for homes, businesses and cities that encourage sustainable ways of using and sharing energy.
New investments facilitated by Invest Victoria in 2021/22 are expected to create almost 3,700 jobs and generate more than $420 million in wages.
Data from fDi Markets shows that in 2022, Victoria attracted $8.9 billion in overseas investment, well ahead of New South Wales ($6.3 billion). The Victorian renewable energy ($5.1 billion), software and IT services (almost $600 million), and communications (more than $400 million) sectors proved most attractive to overseas investors.
