The NSW Government has announced it plans to install 30,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the state by 2026.

In a statement released in mid-February, the government said there are currently 1,000 public chargers in the state, and the leap to 30,000 such outlets would see twice as many chargers as petrol pumps available to drivers. The goal is to fast-track the rollout of public and private EV charging plans by:

• reforming strata laws to make it easier for people living in apartments to charge their EV
• installing EV chargers throughout NSW transport hubs including commuter carparks and train, bus and ferry stations
• streamlining planning laws to accelerate the construction of chargers in public places like on power poles and parking meters.

Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts said the Government was working to streamline planning laws to make it easier to install EV chargers in public places such as power poles and parking meters.

“We know that 30 per cent of drivers can’t access off-street parking and will rely on public chargers, which is why we are cutting red tape to roll them out even faster,” he said.

Minister for Fair Trading Victor Dominello said the Government would also work closely with stakeholders on developing ‘right to charge’ strata reforms, meaning where apartment owners are willing to pay the cost and comply with strict safety requirements, their requests to install EV chargers cannot be unreasonably refused.

“These reforms will make it as easy as possible for people living in one of the 84,000 apartment buildings in NSW to install a charger, without passing on
unfair costs to other residents,” said Mr Dominello.

Another goal would be to roll out EV chargers in transport hubs across the state’s train, bus and ferry network.

“Commuter carparks are a great option for EV drivers to recharge while at work, making sure they can hit the road fully charged by the end of the day,” said David Elliott, Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney.

The announcement of the charger plan came just a few weeks before the NSW election – due to be held at the end of this month, and was met with support from the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC).

“Thanks to the government’s efforts, New South Wales is one of the best places to own and drive an EV in Australia. That status is set to strengthen thanks to these reforms,” said Behyad Jafari, EVC Chief Executive.

“We know new apartment buildings will support EV charging, but we also need to consider the hundreds of thousands of existing apartments and this is where ‘Right To Charge’ laws will be vital. Apartment owners who are willing to pay the cost of installation should not have their requests easily knocked back by strata committees.

“The Electric Vehicle Council has been proud to work with New South Wales, and other state and territory governments, towards a future where apartment dwellers can easily move to EVs while making sure the costs are shared equitably.

“The Electric Vehicle Council’s most recent policy report card rated NSW as the highest performing state for EV-supportive policies and we are extremely pleased to see the trajectory continuing.”

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (Mar 2023)

21 March 2023