The Victorian Government is calling for businesses, councils and community organisations to install electric vehicle charging stations across the state, with $5 million in funding to expand Victoria’s network of fast-chargers – including chargers that give electric vehicles enough power to drive 100km after ten minutes of charging.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said the grants will see more charging stations installed across Victoria to meet the surge in demand for zero emissions vehicles. Regional Victoria will receive 80 per cent of the funding, giving electric vehicle owners the confidence to travel across the state.

The $5 million in funding will deliver around 100 charging stations across Victoria. The Government will work with successful applicants to maximise the number of chargers that can be delivered.

The Government’s support for public charging infrastructure will help meet Victoria’s target that 50 per cent of all new car sales be zero emission vehicles by 2030, putting us on track to halve Victoria’s carbon emissions by 2030.

The transport sector accounts for 25 per cent of Victoria’s total carbon emissions. Electric vehicles will reduce emissions, while also reducing the amount of air and noise pollution, making our cities and towns more liveable.

This funding will expand the extensive existing network of chargers at locations like shopping centres, hotels, restaurants and tourist destinations. By expanding the locations, particularly in regional Victoria, we are giving electric vehicle owners confidence that they can charge their cars when they need and where they need.

The grants program will also support jobs across supply chains and services – including technicians, mechanics, and electricians – which brings broader economic benefits across the state.

The 100 new fast chargers will be located across Victoria and will range from 11kW to 100kW.

This funding is on top of $644,000 to install chargers across 17 sites in the Loddon Mallee region and $3 million to install ultra-rapid chargers connecting Euroa, Moe, Torquay, Ballarat and Horsham.

These chargers are part of a comprehensive $100 million plan to drive uptake of zero emissions vehicles, which  includes over 20,000 subsidies starting at $3,000 to help Victorians purchase a zero emissions vehicle – the first subsidy of its kind in Australia – and funding to drive uptake across the Government and commercial fleet.

Applications are open until 5:00pm on Friday, 23 July. For more information, visit energy.vic.gov.au/DCAV.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“This will make it easier for electric vehicle drivers to make the trips they need, knowing that there will be a charging station when they need, where they need.”

“Our support for electric vehicles will play a key role in halving our emissions by 2030.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll

“The transport sector is a significant contributor to our emissions, and our investments are making electric cars a vehicle for change.”