EV charging will get a $5 million boost and the NSW Government is committing to switching at least 10% of its fleet to electric and hybrid vehicles from 2020.
That’s part of the newly announced NSW Government’s Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Plan.
At the same time it has also released a Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) Plan covering the next five years.
“Vehicles in the future will not only be electric but automated, so we need to jointly consider these technological advances that will deliver safer, more accessible and convenient transport options,” roads, maritime and freight minister Melinda Pavey says.
Transport and infrastructure minister Andrew Constance says a new platform will be launched mid-year to provide customer information to help EV buyers choose wisely and locate charging points across NSW.
Collaborative research projects related to EVs are also being undertaken through the Transport for NSW Research Hub.
Electric bus trials planned include one in Sydney’s Inner West which starts in July, while the feasibility of bus depots becoming partly or fully electric will be investigated too.
The EV charging plan includes a $3 million co-investment in fast charging points for electric and hybrid vehicles on major regional corridors, and $2 million for new charging points in commuter car parks.
“More people are embracing electric and hybrid vehicles and we need to do our part to ensure we have the infrastructure in place so that people are confident to use these vehicles right across the state,” Constance says.
“That’s why we’re planning fast charging points for major regional corridors including the Newell, Great Western, New England, Pacific and Princes Highways and the Hume Motorway.”
The NSW will investigate in coming weeks the best charging locations and costs.
Pavey says the NSW Government will have one of the largest fleets of electric and hybrid vehicles in Australia.
“This initiative will give confidence and certainty to electric vehicle manufacturers as well as provide greater access to a wider choice of affordable electric vehicles in the future for motorists.”
Electric Vehicle Council of Australia chief executive officer Behyad Jafari says the NSW Government’s moves are “some good first steps in the right direction”.
Visit www.future.transport.nsw.gov.au for more information.
