The ACT Government will continue to support the expansion of Canberra’s public Electric Vehicle charger network, with a new round of grants to deliver 39 more EV chargers in key locations across the city by 2025.
Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury said the new grants will help boost the number of DC fast chargers across Canberra and will continue our progress toward meeting our target of at least 180 public EV chargers in the ACT by 2025.
Earlier EV grants have already delivered 39 new public EV chargers (with 65 charging bays) across the ACT, A further 21 chargers are set to be delivered under the previous grant round by the end of 2024. There are currently 156 public EV charging stations operating in the ACT.
“The first projects to be supported by this new funding round will see 39 new chargers installed in places where they are needed the most – near tourist hot spots, shopping centres and high-density residential areas.
“Providing more fast (DC) chargers will plug gaps in our existing charger network and ensure the right mix of AC and DC chargers across Canberra. This means people will have the option to charge quickly when needed but have the option to use an AC charger for longer visits like work, school, or sport.
“The 3 new DC fast chargers that have been installed at ANU, and the 2 new DC fast chargers at Casey Marketplace, have already made fast charging more accessible and we plan to install more like these. The 150kW chargers at ANU can charge 6 vehicles at once and are strategically located at the ANU School of Art & Design, close to nearby apartments and employment hubs.
“We understand that people who live in apartments and townhouses have extra barriers to installing home chargers, which is why we are prioritising putting public chargers in areas of high-density housing.
“Delivering accessible charging continues to be a challenge in part because there is no national standard in place. We will be working with the grant recipients to deliver charging bays in priority locations that will be accessible to EV drivers with mobility issues. Providing accessible charging will continue to be a focus as we expand Canberra’s public EV charging network.
“Transport currently makes up over 60% of ACT emissions, with private vehicle use accounting for most transport emissions. Installing more public chargers is just one of the ways we are supporting the electrification of our city’s transport system,” Minister Rattenbury said.
The successful providers for the first projects to be supported by this funding are ActewAGL, BP, ENGIE and Evie, who will receive a total of $626,275.
