Kerbside EV charging in Australia to get funding boost

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed $2.4 million in funding to EVX for 250 public kerbside electric vehicle (EV) chargers in over 60 local government areas across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

By using existing power poles in urban and residential areas, it is suggested that EV charging will be more accessible to people who want to embrace EVs but are finding it difficult to find the infrastructure to do so.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said kerbside pole charging provides a solution to the need for more public EV chargers.

“Not all electric vehicle owners have the ability to charge their vehicle at home or at work, which is why we’re excited to partner with EVX on this rollout that utilises kerbside charging poles, providing a great opportunity to pair with EV charging,” Miller said. “While sales of EVs are increasing, the expansion of public charging is vital in catering for future demand right across Australia.”

The Australian-made pole-mounted EV chargers were developed by EVX to meet the technological limitations utility providers and local governments face in rolling out EV charging infrastructure sustainably while adhering to local electrical and planning regulations.

By using AC power with smart charging capability, EVX chargers have a low impact on the local electricity grid while being installed on the existing utility pole infrastructure, negating the need for disruptive works and ensuring a smoother rollout.

EVX CEO Andrew Forster said this was essential community infrastructure for the future.

“We are so excited that this partnership with ARENA is off the ground,” Forster said. “The project will make EV charging more accessible for both residents and visitors to these regions, whilst also crucially allowing us to further test, adapt and develop the way we roll out this community charging infrastructure into the future.”

EVX, supported by the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS, will lead the coordination of real-time reporting and will work with Ausgrid and Essential Energy on the development of flexible tariff structures.

Endeavour Energy, SA Power Networks, Ausnet and CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy (CPPCUE) will also support the rollout, with Flow Power being the energy retailer for all 250 sites.

The project will accelerate the development, manufacturing and installation of the chargers and will also allow EVX and EV charging app Wevolt to develop an open-access interface between utility systems and the public charging network, creating a user interface designed to improve the customer’s charging experience.

The funding is being delivered by the Driving the Nation program. For more information, including program guidelines, eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit the funding page.

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