NSW Allocates Funding for an Additional 500 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Kerbsides
**NSW Government Announces $2.8 Million Kerbside Electric Vehicle Charger Rollout**
The New South Wales (NSW) government has unveiled plans to install 549 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers across 130 suburbs, as part of a broader initiative to improve EV infrastructure and encourage EV uptake in the state.
The funding, totalling $2.8 million, will be distributed in grants to five recipients: Charge Post, Connected Kerb, EVX, Plus ES, and EF Asset Management. These companies will contribute an additional $2.2 million in private investment to install the chargers.
According to Paul Scully, the acting state minister for climate change and energy, expanding the charging network gives drivers confidence to go electric. He emphasized that the new chargers will benefit renters, apartment dwellers, and those without garages or driveways, making charging more accessible to a wider audience.
Julie Delvecchio, CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), welcomed the announcement, stating that more kerbside chargers will make it easier for more Australians to switch to electric vehicles. She highlighted the importance of public chargers for Australians without home charging, long road trips, and easing range anxiety.
The chargers, which range in capacity from 7kW to 22kW, will be installed in 22 local government areas across NSW, including City Of Parramatta, Newcastle City, City of Sydney, and Sutherland Shire. Some of the chargers will be pole-mounted, while others will be pedestal EV chargers.
The chargers in these programs vary in speed, typically ranging between 7 kW to 60 kW, and some require users to bring their own cable, while others have built-in connectors. Pricing for charging is set to encourage usage and accessibility, such as $0.20 per kWh for lower speed chargers and $0.60 for fast chargers in Newcastle.
This investment is part of the NSW Climate and Energy Action initiative, which aims to reduce range anxiety and support the transition to electric vehicles in urban and suburban areas by providing convenient, publicly accessible charging points powered by renewable energy sources.
Joshua S. Hill, a Melbourne-based journalist who has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for over 15 years, has been following the development of EV infrastructure in Australia closely. He noted that the new chargers will play a crucial role in addressing the needs of EV owners living in apartments and dense housing areas without off-street parking.
The Australia's Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has welcomed the announcement, stating that it will further NSW’s goal to be a leader in EV adoption and net zero emissions. Delvecchio added that visible, accessible chargers on local streets make EVs more practical for more Australians, boosting their confidence and making the switch easier.
[1] NSW Government Media Release, 'NSW Government invests $2.8 million in kerbside EV chargers', 2023. [2] Renew Economy, 'Newcastle EV chargers powered by 100% renewable energy', 2022. [3] The Driven, 'Newcastle sets the pace for electric vehicle charging', 2022.
- The investment in electric vehicle (EV) chargers is part of the NSW Climate and Energy Action initiative, which also emphasizes the importance of environmental-science in supporting the transition to cleaner technologies.
- With the addition of 549 new EV chargers, the tech-driven renewable energy sector could see an increase in investment opportunities, particularly in real-estate developments that prioritize sustainable living.
- As the expansion of EV infrastructure continues, finance and investing experts might begin to have a wider interest in the environmental-science related to climate-change mitigation, as investing in renewable energy and EV technologies becomes a growing asset class.
