NSW to have electric vehicle chargers every 5km in metro areas, 100km on highways

Charging stations from electric vehicles (EV) will be under 5km apart in metro NSW areas, and under 100km apart on major roads and highways across the state, under a new EV strategy.

In order to achieve the target, the state government will open a third round of EV fast charging grants in early 2024. The grants will help businesses and organisations like councils and government corporations with the construction and operation of the fast and ultra-fast charging stations that can charge a vehicle in 10 to 15 minutes.

The program will spend $149m to install 104 new charging stations that contain between four and 15 ultra-fast charging bays.

The stations will be installed over the next 18 to 24 months across highways and in regional and metro areas.

This comes as the government is set to scrap the $3000 electric vehicle purchase rebate from January 1 onwards.

The EV charging map from the government indicates that by 2024, most suburbs in metro Sydney will have between one to five charging stations; however, the number is set to greatly increase by 2031.

NSW Climate Change and Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said the charging stations would be located in public locations like shopping centres to make it easier for owners to “top-up batteries while they go about their everyday lives”.

“Fast and ultra-fast charging is convenient for drivers who need to recharge their car battery quickly, whether they’re travelling in metro or regional areas,” she said.

“We’re working with businesses to create a large network of accessible and efficient charging infrastructure that will encourage more people to choose electric vehicles.”