WA unveils new EV policy

The WA Government has produced a new policy to prepare the state for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The government’s new Position Statement: Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure aims to support local governments and developers by encouraging early consideration of EV needs in new building projects and coordinating a streamlined approvals process for EV charging infrastructure.

“EVs will play a critical role in WA’s decarbonisation journey, which is why it’s so important that developers consider the need for charging infrastructure when planning new builds,” said Energy and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby.

Preparing for EV charging infrastructure at the earliest stage of planning also has the benefit of saving on costly retrofitting.

The new policy complements both the Western Australian Climate Change Policy and State Electric Vehicle Strategy, which aims to increase the uptake of EVs in WA.

“We’re stimulating EV uptake through the Clean Energy Car Fund and installing charging stations across the state to deliver Australia’s largest EV fast charging network,” said Planning Minister John Carey.

“This position statement will support those efforts and is crucial to steering us in the right direction for better coordination of planning approaches to deliver EV charging infrastructure.”

The position statement will advocate for a consistent planning approach across local government, including consideration of public works and appropriate locations for infrastructure. It will call for a streamlined approvals process, as well as guidance on when development approvals should not be required.

Finally, it will ask for recommended charging level (general power, alternating current or direct current) provisions for various land uses including residential developments, freeway service stations, beaches, hospitals and other preferred locations.

The policy was informed by public consultation and engagement with key industry and government stakeholders, whose feedback indicated strong support for the guidance provided by the position statement.

“This policy builds on the Cook Labor government’s proud record of streamlining approvals and cutting red tape for projects that will help WA achieve net zero emissions by 2050,” Whitby said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Paola Giannoni