New South Wales releases fast-charging funds
The New South Wales Government has followed up on its plan to help companies install ultra-fast charging bays across the Australian state. Round one funds have been released to help major beneficiaries install fast chargers at 86 locations along highways and urban centres.
New South Wales granted AUS 39.4mn to Ampol, BP, Evie Networks, Tesla, NRMA and Zeus Renewables. The funding is part of the Government’s push to install at least 500 high-power charging bays within the next few years.
The earliest reports said NSW targeted 1,000 such sites for 2027, and it remains unclear whether this target has been reduced or whether today’s news looks at a shorter timeline. The state’s investment into electric transportation initiatives runs under NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy totals $633 million.
Treasurer Matt Kean said at the time NSW would co-fund up to 50% of the capital costs for businesses to construct fast and ultra-fast charging bays along key travel routes across the state. Today he commented that the investment would see “the largest, fastest and most comprehensive public EV charging network in Australia”.
He also clarified funding criteria. Each bay must contain a minimum of two ultra-fast charging stations of 350kW capacity and two fast charging bays of 175kW, with some stations containing up to 15 bays.
The Government also aims to ensure chargers are no more than five km apart in metropolitan areas and no more than 100 km apart on major roads and highways across NSW.
This was the first of three funding rounds, and the minister expects “hundreds more stations set to be built over the coming years”.
The second round of co-funding is expected to open towards the end of this year.
Successful bidders in round one now have two years to deliver the fast-charging bays.
AUD 39mn are currently equivalent to €24,9mn.
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