The NSW Government is now accepting applications from regional tourism businesses and councils for the installation of EV charging infrastructure as part of its plans to deliver charging stations across regional NSW under the Destination Charging Program.
The successful applicants will receive 75% of the cost of purchasing and installing up to 4 charge points at each site.
The State Government has allocated $10 million for round 2 of the Program to fund the installation of 3000 EV chargers at tourism destinations, including motels, wineries, cafes, restaurants, natural attractions, museums, zoos, and local government facilities.
“Regional residents as well as tourists deserve to have the confidence to be able to purchase EVs knowing the required charging infrastructure is available to them locally,” Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said.
The Government noted that the chargers’ successful rollout will lead to the development of EV tourist drives across NSW to promote EV travel.
The Destination Charging Program is part of a $209 million investment in charging infrastructure, including $10 million for apartment retrofitting with EV chargers, $10 million for kerbside charging, and $149 million for ultra-fast charging.
“Providing EV charging plugs at regional destinations across our state will help make ‘range anxiety’ a concern of the past and give more drivers the confidence to make EV purchases,” Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said.
Minister Sharpe stated that increased EV usage is crucial for decarbonising NSW’s transport system and achieving the State’s net zero target by 2050.
The NSW Government has also allocated $260 million in the 2023-2024 Budget to support the implementation of a new NSW EV Strategy, a key component in achieving the State’s net zero emissions targets.
