NSW Boosts EV Charging with $100M for 1,000 New Stations

New South Wales (NSW) in Australia announced a A$100 million package on Tuesday to broaden its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, combining new charging infrastructure with expanded incentives for business fleets and electric trucks. Officials said the program is intended to make EV use more practical across the state, including outside major population centres.

Premier Chris Minns is leading the initiative, which the government framed as part of a wider effort to cut dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen energy resilience. The announcement linked the policy direction to the way global events can disrupt oil supply and influence petrol prices, positioning EV uptake as one tool to reduce exposure to those swings.

A central element of the package is the installation of 1,000 new public chargers. The government said the rollout will prioritise underserved regions and key transport corridors, with a target of ensuring charging coverage every 100 kilometres along major highways. The stated aim is to reduce “range anxiety” for drivers and improve the feasibility of longer-distance travel within NSW.

The updated strategy also expands funding for an existing fleet incentive scheme. Officials said the program has already supported the purchase of over 5,600 EVs by more than 240 businesses, and the new funding will extend support to include medium-sized electric trucks. The government presented this as a step toward electrifying more commercial transport activity, not only passenger vehicles.

Alongside infrastructure and fleet measures, NSW plans to invest in workforce capability by training 2,000 regional mechanics to service EVs. The government said this is designed to support a growing EV fleet across the state and to address practical barriers to ownership, particularly in areas where specialised servicing can be harder to access.

Even as it promotes adoption, NSW said it remains committed to introducing a road user charge for EVs and plug-in hybrids by July 2027. The state’s planned rates are 2.97 cents per kilometre for EVs and 2.37 cents per kilometre for plug-in hybrids. Officials noted the approach aligns with similar schemes planned by Western Australia, while differing from the federal government’s consideration of avoiding disincentives that could slow EV uptake.

The government also said it is examining ways to speed up charger deployment, including options that could override local council approvals and proposals for pole-mounted chargers. Details of how those changes would be implemented were not specified in the announcement, leaving uncertainty around the timing and scope of any planning or permitting adjustments.