NSW EV charging network expands

Energy infrastructure company PLUS ES is partnering with AGL to increase the number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers available to the NSW public, starting with 39 new pole-mounted kerbside chargers launched in Sydney’s inner west this week.

The project, which is backed by a NSW Government grant, will eventually see 149 power pole-mounted kerbside EV chargers installed across the state.

The rollout is happening in the lead-up to the National Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES), which will regulate annual average carbon dioxide emission levels from all new cars supplied to Australia by car manufacturers. Coming into effect on 1 January 2025, this new standard is expected to accelerate the adoption of EVs.

AGL is offering free charging at all charging sites — including Birchgrove, Balmain, Lewisham, Stanmore and Newtown — until 31 January 2025.

With about 30% of NSW drivers lacking access to private off-street parking, and that figure higher in metro areas, according to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe, residents have increasingly resorted to risky solutions such as running extension cords over trees, across footpaths or even through drain pipes.

This initiative should cut down on those safety risks, making EV ownership simpler and more accessible.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone on the path to a cleaner, more accessible and sustainable future for transportation,” said Rob Amphlett Lewis, Group Executive of Distributed Services at PLUS ES.

“We expect that ... deploying safe, accessible, kerbside EV charging into the community will encourage those that are unable to charge at home to make their next car purchase an EV.

“Importantly, by using existing power poles we can do it efficiently, keeping costs and community disruption to a minimum.”

The new chargers will serve as a pilot for a model that could be replicated statewide.

“We know that availability of public charging can be a barrier to people choosing to purchase an EV, so by installing these 149 chargers into Sydney, we hope to create greater convenience for those already with EVs and reduce barriers to future adoption,” said AGL Chief Customer Officer Jo Egan.

Egan added that AGL would use its GreenPower product to supply the chargers, so the same amount of energy used by the chargers will be fed into the grid from renewable sources.

“This project is a continuation of AGL’s innovation and customer-focused EV products and offers, like our EV subscription model, home charging offers and EV Night Saver plan that are all working to accelerate the change to electric vehicles,” she said.

Top image caption: Rob Amphlett Lewis with Jo Egan at the launch event. All images supplied.