Subsidies announced for EV smart chargers

Key details have been revealed for a $60 million federal government scheme to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles by subsidising the installation of at least 16,000 EV chargers.

It was confirmed on Christmas eve that the DRIVEN program will accept applications starting January 22.

To be managed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, it will spend $40 million until 2028 supporting automotive dealerships and auto repairers to install EV smart chargers.

Up to $2500 will be offered per eligible smart EV charger that has been purchased and installed on-site. Applications will be permitted backdated to March 2024.

The maximum rebate available on one eligible site for multiple chargers is $20,000.

If the maximum $2500 is allocated for each installation, the $40 million will support the 16,000 new EV chargers.

The federal government says the intended outcome of the program is increase the number of EV charging stations throughout the country including remote and regional areas and to increase the number of EVs on the roads.

DRIVEN was originally announced as an initiative in the 2024-25 Federal Budget to support the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).

It came after lobbying from the automotive industry including the national Motor Trades Association of Australia and state-based groups such as the VACC.

“Around the world, as governments look to accelerate the update of EVs through fuel efficiency standards, they have also incentivised charging infrastructure,” said MTAA CEO Matt Hobbs.

“MTAA is grateful that the Australian government worked with the MTAA to deliver a targeted incentive for dealers and repairers. It is positive that it is backdated to investments made from March 2024.

“Also, the grants come on the eve of the NVES starting. Government has two accelerators - one to accelerate car companies delivery of vehicles, another to get the Australian industry ready to sell, service and recycle the vehicles.”

The federal government says the intended objective of the program is to increase the number of EV charging stations throughout the country, including remote and regional areas and to increase the number of EVs on the roads.

The rebate program covers AC plugs with 7 kW charging speed (single phase), AC plugs with 11-22 kW charging speed and DC plugs with 50 kW or less charging speed.

While all these chargers won’t necessarily have to be available to the public, the DRIVEN program also includes a further $20 million in grants for the installation of public charging infrastructure.

The guidelines for that part of the program are yet to be announced. Applications will be opened in early 2025.