NSW Bets Big on Regional EV Networks

NSW backs 159 regional EV chargers with $5.9M, pushing operators to own, run, and maintain reliable networks beyond major cities

15 Jan 2026

The New South Wales government is funding the rollout of 159 new electric vehicle chargers across 48 regional locations, in a move aimed at reducing gaps in charging access outside metropolitan areas.

The A$5.9m package is being delivered under round three of the state’s EV Destination Charging Grants programme and is intended to attract private investment into regions that have struggled to secure charging infrastructure.

The chargers will be installed at council- and business-owned tourism sites, with private charge point operators required to own, operate and maintain the equipment. The government said the structure was designed to shift focus from construction alone to long-term performance, including reliability and uptime.

Most of the chargers are expected to have capacities of between 22 kilowatts and 100 kilowatts. That range is intended to support shorter stops at locations such as supermarkets, visitor centres and regional travel hubs, where drivers already pause during longer trips.

The programme combines public funding with private capital. Industry body the Electric Vehicle Council said the round included about A$3.2m in private co-investment alongside government support, helping to reduce early-stage risk while encouraging operators to build commercially viable regional networks.

Regional charging has lagged behind city deployment, partly because of higher operating costs, smaller customer bases and longer repair times in remote areas. Industry participants say those factors have slowed confidence among both investors and drivers.

The NSW government has argued that improving coverage outside cities is critical to broader EV uptake, particularly for intercity travel and tourism. Fewer gaps in the network could also expand the potential market for charging operators as EV ownership grows.

Australia’s EV market remains smaller than in Europe or parts of Asia, but registrations have risen steadily, supported by state-level incentives and infrastructure programmes. NSW has positioned regional charging as a priority within its transport decarbonisation strategy.

The government has not set out a timetable for future grant rounds, but officials have indicated that further investment will depend on uptake and performance of the current projects.