In a bid to bolster electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and fleet electrification, the New South Wales government of Australia has announced a significant financial commitment. With over 155,000 EV registrations now in the state, the government is channeling AU$16.5 million (US$10.9 million) into two key initiatives designed to enhance the adoption and support of EV technology across New South Wales.
Funding Allocation and Target Areas
The investment is divided into two distinct programs. The first allocates AU$5 million towards co-funding with chargepoint operators for kerbside charger installations. This initiative provides up to AU$6,000 for each AC charge port and AU$30,000 for each DC fast charge port. Meanwhile, AU$11.5 million is earmarked to assist businesses, non-government organizations, and councils in transitioning to electric fleets. This support is available for fleets of 21 or more passenger vehicles, SUVs, vans, utes, and small trucks up to 4.5 tonnes, offering up to AU$8,000 per DC fast-charging port and AU$2,000 per AC charging port.
The program covers 37 Local Government Areas within Greater Sydney and regional NSW, focusing on areas most in need of additional charging infrastructure. Notably, regions such as the Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, and Wollondilly are included for the first time. For the first time, commercial car parks are also eligible to apply for kerbside charging grants, provided they use 100% renewable energy for electricity.
NSW Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe highlighted the dual focus of the funding: “There are now more than 155,000 EVs registered in NSW, reducing the cost of living for drivers and saving more than 200 million litres of fuel a year in NSW,” Sharpe said. “This AU$16.5 million will install more public chargers in places where EV owners need them, while also helping businesses reduce their costs by electrifying their fleets,” she added.
National Context and Future Challenges
Australia’s EV market is experiencing a significant shift, as demonstrated by the recent milestone where battery electric vehicles outsold petrol cars. Australia surpassed 500,000 battery electric vehicles on its roads in September, with BEVs accounting for a record 24.9% of new car sales in August, according to the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC). The EVC has indicated that achieving the federal government’s target of five million BEVs by 2035 will demand a ninefold increase in the adoption rate.
The growth pattern is consistent, with EV sales rising 91% year-on-year in the first eight months of 2026. This trend has prompted the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) to consider allowing distribution network businesses to install and operate kerbside EV charging as a regulated service.
In addition, the federal government has expanded its DRIVEN program to support dealerships, repairers, and mechanics with rebates for EV charging installations and EV-specific workshop tools. This comes as EV sales have overtaken petrol car sales nationally for the first time, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive support infrastructure.
The readiness gap extends to vehicle servicing, where research indicates that only 1 in 10 repairers in Australia are currently EV-certified. Despite this, more than 80% of Australians are considering buying an EV, a significant rise from 20% in 2024.
NRMA Insurance’s chief executive, Julie Batch, emphasized that the barriers to EV adoption are “less about the technology itself and more about the everyday realities of ownership,” with public charging availability remaining a key concern for potential EV buyers.
Original Story at www.evinfrastructurenews.com