Destination charging grants FAQs

An investment in EV charging has the potential to:  

• attract new visitors to your site   
• generate revenue through EV charging services 
• increase visitor dwell time 
• enhance your visitors’ experience    
• provide your site with a competitive advantage within your region  
• promote your site and EV charging facilities through online charging maps, future EV road trips, and word of mouth  
• build a reputation as a sustainable business. 

By joining the growing EV charging network across NSW, you will also be part of the solution to reduce carbon emissions and help reach our NSW net zero emissions target.   

Having an ATDW listing is necessary for the EV destination charging grants and helps us to verify that your location is part of the NSW visitor economy.

The ATDW is an online database that lists and promotes tourism businesses or events operating in Australia that provide a direct service or experience to tourists (some exclusions apply). It is used by state and national tourism agencies to document and promote locations and visitor experiences across Australia.

NSW locations listed on the ATDW are automatically listed on the Visit New South Wales website. An ATDW profile is a free and valuable way of growing your online presence and attracting new visitors.

For more information on how to create or update an ATDW listing for your site, please see the EV destination charging round 2 applicant handbook.

There are 9 categories of eligible destination types in funding round 2. Eligible destination types are outlined on page 22 of the EV destination charging round 2 funding guidelines. 

Eligible businesses must have permanent and ongoing parking and infrastructure to support visitors, guests or customers with EV charger usage. 

No. Eligible businesses must be at physical commercial premises accessible to the public and have the necessary parking and infrastructure to support visitors, guests, or customers with EV charger usage. Eligible locations must have a live ATDW listing and ensure chargers are solely for long term commercial purposes and not partly or wholly used for residential purposes. 

In addition to meeting all eligibility requirements outlined in the funding guidelines, all eligible accommodation destination types must be solely for commercial accommodation purposes and not partly or wholly used for residential accommodation purposes. 

The site must also have the necessary parking and infrastructure to support visitors, guests, or customers with EV charger usage. 

Yes, as long as the site does not have more than 4 existing EV charge ports and has not received EV charger funding for that same site in round 1 of the grants.

A single port charger is defined as providing one charging port. A dual port charger is considered to be providing 2 charge ports. 

Applicants must have off-street parking with the necessary parking and infrastructure to support visitors, guests, or customers with EV charger usage. 

Local council applicants have permission to install EV charger(s) on the kerbside only in instances where off-street parking is not available at that location. In this instance, all requirements in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 – NSW legislation must be met. This is due to local councils ability to manage relevant approvals and requirements to install kerbside charging. 

For round 2, there is no longer a requirement for grant applicants to purchase and install EV charger software. However, all sites have the opportunity to apply for 75% co-funding towards the cost of the first year of an EV charger software subscription per charge port if they choose, and this is encouraged.

While EV charger software is optional, it is beneficial to install so that you can turn on the smart capabilities of your EV charger. Software enables the management of all aspects of EV charging and provides drivers with a positive EV charging experience. This includes collecting payment from drivers, observing charger utilisation and energy use, fault detection and more. All EV chargers on the eligible EV charger and software list have smart capabilities, they just need to be “switched on”.

The NSW EV destination charging grant program aims to support existing destination sites install EV charging infrastructure. Applications for greenfield sites or sites in the process of major redevelopment are not eligible to apply for funding. A site must be operational and open to visitors, guests or customers at the time of application.

The intention of the NSW EV destination charging grant program is to support regional businesses and local councils install and operate EV charging infrastructure. Successful grant applicants in round 2 of the EV destination charging grants must retain full control and ownership of the EV charging infrastructure for 12 months from the date of acquittal (grant payment approval). After this time a successful applicant may lease or transfer the EV charging infrastructure to a third party such as a charge point operator (CPO).

An applicant must select an EV charger from the eligible EV charger and software list to be eligible under this grant. Only chargers from this list can be funded by the grant. 

This list has been created through a partnership between the NSW Government and the Electric Vehicle Council.

The requirements of each site will vary. It is the responsibility of the grant applicant to make this assessment. You may decide to consult a qualified professional, for example an electrical engineer, licensed electrician, or energy consultant, to make this decision.

Eligible applications may include a maximum of 4 EV charge ports per site. This may include a mixed configuration of single and dual port chargers. Applicants may install more than 4 charge ports at a site if that meets the site’s needs, however the grant can only fund a maximum of 4 charge ports per site within an application.  

All EV chargers are different, and some can charge one vehicle or two at the same time. You may see EV chargers referred to as “single port” or “dual port”. A single port charger can only accommodate one charging cable going into one vehicle. A dual port charger has two places (ports) on the charger, where charging cables can be connected and it can charge two vehicles at the same time. 

In the second funding round, funding is available for up to four (4) charging ports per site. This means that in Round 2, a dual port charger will be counted as two ports.

When selecting the placement of your EV charger, consider location attributes such as access to power, space, accessibility, visibility and convenience. It is essential to ensure the allocated parking spaces are safe and accessible. 

Read the applicant handbook round 2 for further guidance on what to consider when planning and installing an EV charger. 

The cost of purchasing and installing an EV charger and software will vary from site to site. As this is a co-funded grant, it is important to discuss costs with your supplier or licensed electrician and to understand what share of the project costs you will pay that are not covered by the grant.

The price of EV chargers and software vary. The maximum 75% grant funding available for EV chargers and software is capped at the prices listed on the NSW Government's approved charger and software lists. 

The 75% co-funding towards EV chargers will be capped at the supplier’s retail price for the respective EV charger model outlined on the approved EV charger list.

The 75% co-funding towards an annual software subscription will be capped at the Base Price for each software platform outlined on the approved EV charger software list. Some software suppliers charge usage fees or ongoing transaction costs (in the form of per kWh or % of revenue) and these additional fees, outlined in the approved software list, are not covered under grant.

For a list of installation items eligible for co-funding, and what the grant will not co-fund, please see page 14 of the funding guidelines round 2. The maximum 75% funding available towards installation is capped at $3,000 per single port charger and $6,000 per dual port charger ($3,000 per charge port).

Successful applicants will be required to pay their proportion of the costs upfront, prior to receiving the grant’s payment.  

Eligible software platforms vary widely in look and capability. We encourage you to speak to a variety of software suppliers on this list to understand more about their software capabilities and subscription details. 

Software suppliers may also be able to provide pricing to supply certain EV chargers on the eligible EV charger list, and in some cases, they offer turn-key installation services. 

For ease of reference, the eligible EV charger list identifies which chargers are supported by at least one software supplier on the eligible EV charger software list. 

Any software platforms that are not on the eligible list, cannot be co-funded under the grants.

The list contains all eligible EV charger hardware and software that can be funded under the EV destination charging grants. Any EV charger hardware and software not shown on this list is ineligible for funding.

As with most products on the market, EV chargers usually have a recommended retail price (RRP) that is set by the manufacturer or importer to guide what their product can be retailed for.

Suppliers that sell an EV charger can then decide to sell at that RRP price, to include their own markup and overhead costs, or to apply discounts. This is normal business practice. 

The EV destination charging grants can fund up to 75% of the cost of each EV charger on this list up to the highest price shown against each EV charger. It is up to you as the grant applicant to confirm the cost of your selected EV charger hardware (and software, where applicable) via one or more commercial quotes. If you are not happy with your quoted price, shop around as some EV chargers are sold by a variety of suppliers.

The grants require that you submit your preferred quote as part of your application form.
 

Grants applicants should consider any terms and conditions outlined by each EV charger manufacturer or supplier. Applicants must undertake their own due diligence on their preferred hardware or software supplier and ensure they understand and agree to all requirements before they proceed.

Once you are satisfied with the quote for your selected EV charger(s), you can submit an application under the EV destination charging grants webpage. You will be asked to provide copies of your quote(s) within your application. 
 

Your grant application only requires a commercial quote for hardware and software for assessment. There is no guarantee that an application will be successful, so applicants should wait for their application to be assessed and to be notified of an outcome before proceeding with the purchase and installation of any EV charger from this list. If your grant application is successful, you will be notified of the outcome and advised on the next step.

Pedestal-type chargers are designed to be installed on the ground and are especially useful in cases where there is not a wall near the parking space suitable for a wall-mounted charger. Pedestal chargers may cost more, and often see higher installation costs resulting from trenching required for electrical cabling. Pedestal chargers are often dual port chargers which have the capability of charging 2 cars at once.

Wall-mounted chargers are typically lower cost than pedestal-type chargers but require a convenient wall or post next to the car parking space for mounting.

If you wish to make a formal complaint about an EV charging supplier, manufacturer or software provider shown on the list, please submit your complaint to the EV Council at [email protected].

If you are experiencing an issue that impacts your EV destination charging grant application, please contact [email protected].
 

No. The intent of the EV destination charging grants is to build the NSW destination charging network, to support regional tourism, to address range anxiety for visitors, and encourage EV drivers to travel throughout NSW. 

Using EV chargers co-funded under the EV destination charging grants for the purposes of charging staff vehicles goes against the intent of the program and grant guidelines requirements that chargers be publicly accessible and for the purposes of supporting the regional visitor economy.

Organisations looking to add EVs and charging to their existing fleet are encouraged to apply for the EV fleets incentive program or NSW EV rebate.

As part of the grant application, you should check to see if you site has sufficient power to operate an EV charger. Applicants can engage qualified professionals (for example, engineering consultants, qualified electricians) to undertake an assessment of their site and provide advice on the suitability of their site infrastructure and positioning of a future EV charger. 

The EV destination charging grants are a funding mechanism only and do not remove the requirement for applicants to undertake their own due diligence when engaging professionals or suppliers to provide advice or deliver works. 

Some questions to ask a qualified professional include but are not limited to:

• Are there any spare circuit breaker spaces on the switchboard?
• What is the capacity rating of the available circuit breakers?
• Is the electrical supply to my site single-phase or 3-phase?
• What is the electrical capacity of my site with existing and any future planned loads?
• What EV charger will best suit my customer needs and existing infrastructure/supply?
• Who will install my EV charger and how will this be undertaken?

For more information, please refer to the applicant handbook on how to understand the electrical and charging needs of your site. 

Successful grant applicants are responsible for managing the ongoing operation, maintenance and running costs for the EV chargers at their site(s). Each EV charger is a valuable asset and should be appropriately managed and maintained to ensure reliable service and benefits to customers. 

Applicants are encouraged to speak to their EV charger supplier to understand operational and maintenance requirements and any customer service provisions that may be available.

The list of EV chargers co-funded under the grants can be found on our eligible EV charger and software list. 

All EV chargers included on this list were submitted by EV charger suppliers through a public expression of interest (EOI) process held by the EV Council in late 2022. Each charger was assessed against criteria addressing EV charger functionality, robustness, safety, and smart capability.  

The list will be reviewed and updated periodically throughout the grants funding period via an EOI process. Please contact the EV Council to be notified of the next EOI application window.
 

Go to the EV destination charging grants page and click on the ‘Apply now’ button to begin your application. 

Ensure you read the guidelines before submitting your application, which detail the essential requirements needed to determine your eligibility and required information.

Round 2 applications are open and close dates are available on the EV destination charging webpage. 

New applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The grants team reserves the right to contact applicants for further information on their application as required after the round has closed.

There is no limit to the number of applications/sites an eligible applicant can submit under funding round 2. However, there is no guarantee that all applications/sites will be successful, and an applicant should refer to the funding guidelines if unsure of the eligibility criteria. 

If applying for multiple sites, each site will need to be applied for in a separate application. 

Multiple applications can be submitted by one applicant (with the same ABN) for different sites throughout the funding round.

Installation costs can include the following items: 

• installation of EV charger(s) and associated electrical infrastructure including dedicated EV charging distribution boards, electrical circuits and required modifications to existing infrastructure
• installation of data and communications equipment including data cabling and 4G modems 
• installation of metering equipment and Energy Management Systems (EMS) 
• civil works required to install the EV charger(s)
• spare charging cables, pedestals, bollards, wheel stops, bay painting and EV signage  
• reasonable freight and delivery of your approved EV charger(s). 

The NSW government may assess the installation costs submitted in an application and may request further information if costs are considered outside reasonable market prices. 

Reasonable freight and delivery of your EV charger are now covered for co-funding. 

Additional co-funded installation costs can include the following items: 

• electrical installation of EV charging infrastructure (including dedicated EV charging distribution boards, circuits and required modifications to existing infrastructure)  
• installation of data and communications equipment including data, cabling and 4G modems 
• installation of metering equipment and Energy Management Systems (EMS) 
• required civil works  
• spare charging cables, pedestals, bollards, wheel stops, bay painting and EV signage.  

The office may assess the installation costs submitted in an application and may request further information if costs are considered outside reasonable market prices. 

An applicant may request to make changes to their submitted application by contacting the EV destination charging team on [email protected] as long as your application has not been assessed and you have not been notified of an outcome.

See the terms and conditions on page 35 of the funding guidelines for information on how to manage variation and extension requests.

See the terms and conditions on page 39 of the funding guidelines for information on how to manage variation requests.

Applicants can work with third parties (for example, consultants, electricians, EV charger suppliers) to prepare the necessary documentation for their grant application. 

However, the final grant application and all grant declarations must be agreed to and submitted by an authorised representative from the applicant organisation. Please note, applications submitted, and declarations made by third party contractors or suppliers, will not be eligible.    

The grant management platform ‘Smarty Grants’ enables this and the steps on how third parties can work within your application form can be found in the EV destination charging round 2 applicant handbook.

No, the application will need to be completed, submitted, and payment claimed, by a person with delegated financial authority from within the applicant’s organisation.  

Electrical contractors and EV charger suppliers can support applicants in the lead up to their application submission by providing site assessments and commercial quotes to purchase an eligible EV charger. With special access from the applicant, they can help complete the online application form. However, the applicant themself must be the only one to complete declaration tick boxes and submit. 

An applicant is welcome to obtain more than one quote for both their EV charger(s) and or software subscription. When it comes to submitting their grant application, the applicant should only attach the quote they wish to proceed with to ensure their co-funding amount is calculated correctly. 

An applicant should email their signed success letter as soon as they can after missing the deadline. An applicant’s payment request form will not be assessed without this success letter and may cause delays in receiving your co-funding. 

Once an applicant receives a letter from the NSW Government confirming their application was successful, they will have 5-months to complete their EV charger and software installation before they need to submit their grant payment request form. 

An applicant who cannot complete their eligible EV charger installation by the agreed due date, outlined in their approval notification, is required to seek a written extension from the office.  

See the terms and conditions on page 39 of the funding guidelines for information on how to manage variation and extension requests.

An organisation can apply for additional sites in future funding rounds provided their site meets the eligibility criteria and hasn’t been previously successful for a funding period. 

Any application withdrawn from funding round 1 after round 2 opens will be ineligible to apply for the remainder of round 2 and will be required to wait for future rounds, if they occur. There is no guarantee that future funding rounds will be made available.  

Applicants may request that their application is withdrawn during a funding round.  

See the terms and conditions on page 38 of the funding guidelines for information on how to manage application withdrawals.

Applicants will receive an email notification within 8 weeks of their submission date confirming the outcome of their application.  

Successful applicants can proceed with the purchase and installation of their eligible EV charger(s) and software subscription (if selected) once they have received a formal letter of approval from the office.
 
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified during the same assessment period and advised that they may reapply in future rounds. 

The office reserves the right to extend the assessment window at their discretion and applicants will be advised accordingly should this occur.  

Following installation of your EV charger and software (if applicable), applicants are required to complete a payment request form and demonstrate that all requirements from the funding guidelines have been met. See page 33 of the funding guidelines for the list of requirements that must be met to receive funding prior to submitting your payment request form on the EV destination charging grants website. 

Within 4 weeks of submitting the grant payment request form, the office will notify applicants in writing and confirm if their evidence has been accepted. 

To prevent delays, ensure all necessary documents and information has been provided in the payment request form. If unsure, please refer our successful applicant handbook for more information on the steps and information required to receive payment. A link to the successful application handbook is sent via email with your successful grant letter. 

The office will process grant payments within 4 weeks of this confirmation email. If required, the office may request further information via email, which may delay an applicant from receiving payment. 

An applicant can begin filling out the payment request form from the time they receive their successful notification letters. However, an applicant should not submit their payment request prior to their EV charger installation being completed and they are satisfied that all grant requirements have been met. 

While funding round 1 is closed, if you are a successful applicant needing to request an extension or withdraw your installation and payment request form, please refer to the terms and conditions on page 39 of the round 1 funding guidelines to understand how you can proceed with your request.

For any issues, questions, concerns, or enquiries related to round 1 funding please 
contact the EV Destination Charging Team at [email protected]. 

As the EV charging market rapidly grows, so does the number of suppliers in the market. The eligible EV charger and software list is regularly updated to reflect new suppliers in the market and their current charger/software models and pricing. This list only applies to round 2 applications. 

Successful round 1 applicants must proceed with the EV charger(s) and software that was approved in their round 1 grant application.

Yes. We will be hosting multiple online information sessions for both applicants and licensed electricians and suppliers throughout the funding round. Session details will be posted on the EV destination charging grants page. Following each session, a recording will be available online for the duration of the round.

Stay updated on upcoming information sessions by signing up to receive our e-newsletters on the EV destination charging grant page.  

For any technical issues for submission on the online grants management platform (SmartyGrants), please contact the SmartyGrants help desk at [email protected]. The help desk team will respond during business hours.

If your issue relates to the content of your application or eligibility requirements, please contact the grants team at [email protected]. 

We adhere to our legal obligations under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) about collecting, storing, accessing, and disclosing personal information.  

Please read page 45 of the guidelines to understand how privacy is managed, including confidentiality and disclosure of information.