The Australian government has committed $40 million to expand public kerbside and fast electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure nationwide, aligning with its Net Zero Plan to accelerate the shift to EVs and reduce emissions from Australia’s transport sector.
This funding aims to boost confidence among Australians to transition to EVs by making charging accessibility easier and more affordable, ultimately lowering household transportation costs.
It builds on significant investments already made by the Commonwealth, along with state and territory governments, especially over the past four years.
The government’s initiative will leverage the complementary capabilities of electricity networks and charging providers to create a larger, more efficient EV charging ecosystem that benefits motorists and businesses.
Efforts will include identifying suitable locations for new chargers, reducing the cost and time of connections, targeting underserved “black spots” such as regional areas, and pioneering kerbside charging on existing electricity poles.
This focused approach will address both urban and regional needs, with ongoing consultations planned in coming months with government bodies, markets, distribution networks, and charging providers.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, The Hon Chris Bowen MP, highlighted the practical impact of the investment: “We’ve delivered more choice of cheaper-to-run cars and now we’re going to help make sure it’s easier to charge in the suburbs and the region.”
He underscored the goals: “We want to make connecting EV chargers faster and cheaper and kickstart the kerbside charging potential on poles to expand our EV charging network and that will help more Australians choose an EV.”
Bowen pointed out the profile of typical EV users, noting that “Industry analysis shows the most common EV buyers using the Electric Car Discount are working Australians, including teachers, nurses and tradies.”
He also emphasised geographic trends in EV adoption: “Top EV adoption areas are in our outer suburban centres such as Werribee in south-west Melbourne, Baulkham Hills in north-west Sydney and Springfield south-west of Brisbane.”
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, The Hon Josh Wilson MP, stressed the importance of expanding public charging, especially for those without off-street parking: “More public charging capacity will support the growing adoption of EVs, especially among Australians without access to off-street parking.”
He reinforced the anticipated benefits broadly, stating: “We want to give more Australian families and businesses the opportunity to benefit from the significant cost savings of EV ownership.”
