The Australian government will provide AU$40 million ($26 million) to support the rollout of public kerbside and fast electric vehicle (EV) charging points, with a focus on both urban and regional locations.
The funding aims to accelerate deployment by easing grid connections and expanding charging access. The government said the first stage will involve identifying suitable installation sites and options to cut connection costs. Later steps include developing models to serve regional “black spots” and initiating kerbside charging using existing electricity poles.
The program will prioritise areas with “immediate and short-term need for charging,” with final delivery plans shaped by consultation with state governments, networks, charging providers and industry stakeholders in the coming months.
“We’ve delivered more choice of cheaper-to-run cars and now we’re going to help make sure it’s easier to charge in the suburbs and the region,” said Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen. “We want to make connecting EV chargers faster and cheaper and kickstart the kerbside charging potential on poles to expand our EV charging network and that will help more Australians choose an EV.”
Kerbside charging is typically slower than fast charging but offers ease of access and lower installation costs. International interest in the sector has been growing, with UK-based company Connected Kerb raising £65 million earlier this year to expand its own network.
