We’re working to make NSW the easiest place to buy and use an electric vehicle (EV) in Australia, with a $149 million investment to develop a world-class fast charging network across the state.
A key action under the NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy, this investment will support and encourage growth of the EV market by:
- overcoming range anxiety through the development of a broad, visible and accessible fast charging network across NSW
- ensuring connectivity between metropolitan and regional areas
- future-proofing the EV charging network past 2030
- co-funding private industry to build, own and operate the charging stations
- maximising grid support and reducing emissions.
Co-funding fast charging stations
The Drive electric NSW EV fast charging grants will support charge point operators (CPOs) to construct fast charging stations across the state.
Applicants must fund a minimum of 50% of the total project capital cost for standard stream sites and a minimum of 30% for fast-track stream sites. Applicants can apply for up to $30 million in funding across multiple locations in round 2.
Co-funding can also incorporate on-site renewable energy generation and battery storage at EV charging stations.
Funding will be prioritised for projects that can demonstrate both value for money and merit, including building regional charging stations, innovation in station design and diversity of locations proposed.
Key changes in round 2
There are some significant changes to the funding conditions that differ from the first round of the EV fast charging grants. These are:
- all remaining priority zones are now eligible for co-funding
- an additional 25 zones have been added to the priority zones, resulting in a total of 275 zones across the state. Of these zones, 73 were funded during round 1, with 202 eligible zones remaining
- there is a single-stage competitive application and assessment process
- the funding round will be open for 14 weeks
- the assessment period will be conducted over 7 weeks
- applicants will be given an opportunity to present their bid to the assessment panel
- there are two types of funding streams available.
Two funding streams available
Round 2 of the Drive electric NSW fast charging grants have 2 funding streams. These funding streams have been established to offer support for larger charging stations in areas that are forecast to have greater demand. Each funding stream has different parameters outlined below.
The standard stream has the same funding conditions as round one, which are:
- up to $490,000 in co-funding per station on average across all standard stream sites
- no more than 50% government co-funding of total construction costs
- each site requires a minimum of 4 charging bays; 2 that can be serviced by a 350kW charger and 2 that can be serviced by a 175kW charger
- sites must have a minimum connection to site of 500kVA (or an alternative connection size where evidence can be provided that 500kVA cannot be achieved)
- stations must be built within 24 months
- there are 180 available eligible zones.
The fast-track streams are targeting new stations in metropolitan Greater Sydney with high urban density where residents have limited access to off-street parking.
This stream will include:
- up to $900,000 in co-funding per station on average across all fast-track stream sites
- no more than 70% government co-funding of total construction costs
- each site requires a minimum of 8 charging bays; 2 that can be serviced by a 350kW charger and 6 that can be serviced by a 175kW charger
- must have a minimum connection to site of 750kVA (or evidence provided that 750kVA cannot be achieved)
- stations must be built within 18 months
- there are 22 available eligible zones.
For more information on the two streams please see the round 2 guidelines.
Timeframes
Single stage competitive bid process – applications open for 14 weeks
The online application has 3 key parts:
- an eligibility section
- a detailed bid application to provide project site and budget details
- responses to the merit criteria.
Assessment of applications – 7 weeks
- an independent panel of industry experts will assess completed applications
- the final decision is based on competitive analysis of sites across all applications and the applicant’s ability to address the merit criteria
- applicants with an eligible bid will be invited to present their application to the assessment panel
- applicants will be contacted to let them know the outcome of their bid.
Contracts awarded – 5 weeks
Contracts for funding will be awarded through the signing of formal funding agreements, after which projects will commence.
Priority zones
The EV fast charging master plan identifies optimal and priority zones that are ideal for future charging stations across NSW.
The zones funded in round 1 are unavailable for bids, leaving 202 priority zones eligible for funding in round 2. Of these, 22 have been identified as fast-track stream zones and the remaining 180 are standard stream zones.
Information on the master plan can be found at appendix 3 of the guidelines.
The lists of 202 standard and fast-track stream optimal zones that were eligible in round 2 can be found at appendix 4 of the guidelines.
Before you apply for funding
To help you prepare an application make sure you read:
The guidelines provide important information about the application requirements and information about the assessment process.
The guidelines cover:
- timeframes for submissions and assessment of competitive bids
- how co-funding is allocated as well as caps and exclusions
- minimum performance standards required for an eligible application
- eligibility and merit criteria
- what co-funding can and cannot be used for
- priority and optimal zones
- the grant selection process
- terms and conditions applicants must comply with if successful.
Round 2 applications are now closed
Round 2 closed on Tuesday 14 March 2023 AEDT 1 pm.
If you are looking for potential site owners that are interested in hosting EV infrastructure, please email [email protected] to request a list of potential site hosts from across NSW.
Site host prospectus
We have updated the NSW EV fast charging site host prospectus, which outlines the benefits of hosting EV charging stations, as well as host roles and responsibilities. We encourage site owners and operators across the state that are interested in hosting EV charging stations to complete an Expression of interest form.
Interested CPOs can email [email protected] to request a copy of the locations and contact details collected from the site host EOI process. The CPO and site host can then discuss the opportunity to install and operate charging infrastructure at these sites. Only CPOs that have submitted applications when rounds are open will be considered.
Please be aware we are not involved in the negotiations between charging providers and site hosts. We recommend obtaining professional guidance for these negotiations.
Support for applicants
View the recording of our latest online information session for an overview of the funding model, application process and frequently asked questions.
The following documents are also available to assist potential applicants:
- application check list to help prepare materials for the application
- Template accountant declaration
If you have any further questions once you have read the guidelines, FAQs and supporting documentation please email [email protected].
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