NSW To Add Hundreds More Kerbside EV Chargers

Another 549 kerbside EV chargers are to be installed across Wollongong, Greater Sydney and Newcastle over next year through a Minns Government program.

The State government says around 33% of drivers in New South Wales don’t have access to off-street parking. For those in that situation who own electric vehicles, that means they usually can’t charge their EV at home. However, some give it a red-hot go with weird and wonderful charging rigs that have attracted controversy and at times council attention due to potential electrical safety and trip hazard issues.

The Minns Government is helping to address the situation by investing $10 million across multiple rounds under a co-funding arrangement to install EV kerbside chargers in areas with the least access to private, off-street parking.  Part of the NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy, the kerbside program was originally announced in July 2023.

Recipients from the latest round were revealed on Wednesday. Five companies will receive a total of $2.8 million in grants and the recipients will kick in another $2.2 million in private investment. The grant recipients are:

• ChargePost
• Connected Kerb
• EVX
• Plus ES
• EF Asset Management.

ChargePost, Plus ES and EVX were also among the recipients in Round 1.

The 7 kW and 22kW pole-mounted and pedestal chargers will be installed across 22 Local Government Areas, listed here, on kerbsides and in public council car parks in 130 suburbs over the next 12 months. The area to get the most love will be the City of Parramatta, with 70 chargers, followed by the Northern Beaches with 66.

Commenting on the latest grants, Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio said:

“The NSW government’s EV kerbside charging investment couldn’t come at a better time as Australians now have access to more than 150 EV models, with options to suit every lifestyle and prices starting at around $30,000. We support this roll out as a crucial step toward building a charging network that’s reliable and fair.”

Funding Level Based On Priority Zones

The kerbside program offers co-funding up to:

• 80% of total installation and equipment costs of an EV charger.
• 80% of a 3-year software subscription where third-party software is used.
• $800,000 per applicant.

Three priority zone types were identified for the program based on population density, housing type, housing tenure and vehicle ownership, and funding levels vary depending on which zone the stations are to be installed in.

• Green Zone: $10,000 (ex GST) per charge port
• Yellow Zone: $8,000
• Blue Zone: $6,000

The full interactive priority zone map can be viewed here.

What About Regional NSW?

While the kerbside grants focus is on densely populated areas, the Minns Government is also supporting a rollout in regional areas through the EV Destination and EV Fast Charging Grants.

The Destination Charging Grants provide co-funding for installations at visitor destinations. Round 3 closed for applications in late March this year, with up to $12 million in funding up for grabs across 71 eligible zones.

The Fast Charging Grants support establishing a network of ultra-fast chargers along major roads and highways. This involves a $149 million government investment in total that will add approximately 275 stations across the state. As at May this year, 196 stations had been supported and $80.4 million funding allocated.

While NSW still has a heavy reliance on coal power (57.9% contribution to mains grid demand so far this year), all stations in each program — including kerbside — will be powered by renewable energy.

Wherever you are in Australia, if you’re looking for a station in your neck of the woods or planning a longer trip and need to find spots to top-up, see our public charger locator map page.