NSW opens funding for first of 1,000 ultra fast EV chargers, country’s biggest network – EQ Mag Pro
The New South Wales government has opened the first, $35 million funding round for what it says will be the country’s most extensive electric vehicle charging network.
The $35 million is part of a $171 million funding program over four years to help roll out 1,000 ultra-fast charging stations across the state, announced last September.
Treasurer Matt Kean, who drives a Tesla Model 3, says the NSW government will fund up to 50 per cent of the capital costs of the charging bays which will be rolloed out on key travel routes across the state “so drivers can put range anxiety in the rearview mirror.”
NSW has already introduced the most generous EV rebates in the country, comprising a $3,000 rebate for the first 20,000 EVs priced under $68,750, and a stamp duty exemption for cars priced under $78,000.
The charging component was announced last year as part of its suite of initiatives that aims to reach a 50 per cent share of electric vehicles in new vehicle sales by 2030.
It aims to ensure that households in areas with limited off-street parking live no more than 5 km from an ultra-fast charger in metropolitan areas and no more than 100kms apart in regional areas.
The new funding round is the first of four funding rounds likely to take place over the next three to four years. The funding component can include the renewable energy generation and battery storage for EV charging stations. All charging stations must be powered by renewables, and on site battery storage is encouraged.
“This is expected to unlock around $160 million in private investment under our plan to build the biggest electric vehicle charging network in Australia,” Kean said in a statement.
Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2022, with construction of all charging stations approved in this first round to be completed within two years.
There are likely to be four rounds over the next three to four years to construct at least 1,000 fast and ultra-fast chargers state-wide. Ultra-fast chargers can take as little as 15 minutes to charge up to 400km and each site will be required to provide four charging bays, two of them rated at 350kW and two rates at least 175kW.
Applicants will be limited to $15 million of funding over multiple locations and a maximum of $490,000 per charging station (on average).
The NSW government ssays applications for co-funding will be assessed over two stages. Stage one will assess eligibility and high-level merit criteria, with a more detailed application for charging sites required in the second stage. Applicants will be limited to $15 million of funding over multiple locations.
It’s expected the first stage applications will be finalised in April, with successful bidders and sites for funding to be announced in mid 2022.
Source: thedriven
