Expanded electric vehicle charging stations in the region treble, mirroring a rising trend in electric car usage
Newcastle Triples Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network
The city of Newcastle is on the brink of significantly expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging network, thanks to a $270,000 grant from the New South Wales (NSW) government.
Already, the city boasts charging infrastructure at various locations, including Wharf Road, No. 2 Sportsground, Laman and Perkins Streets in the CBD, and several other spots in Lambton, Wallsend, Hamilton, Stockton, Adamstown, Mayfield, Newcastle, Newcastle East, and Wickham.
The expansion will see an additional 34 charging ports added across 11 locations around the city. Speeds of these chargers vary, with sites in Newcastle East and Stockton offering 7kW, while Hamilton and Georgetown will offer 60kW charging speeds.
As part of the second round of the NSW Electric Vehicle Kerbside Charging Grants, announced in July 2024, an additional $4.5 million was allocated for kerbside charging in 16 local government areas around the state.
The City of Newcastle is close to completing the tripling of its public EV charging network. The NSW government's grant is a significant step towards this goal, as it covers no more than 80% of the total project cost, with each applicant eligible for up to $800,000.
The grants aim to improve access to EV charging in areas with limited off-street parking, supporting NSW's net zero goals and increasing community adoption of EVs. However, specific locations for the second round of the grants were not detailed in the available information.
For more detailed information on specific locations, it would be advisable to contact the NSW Government directly or review the Round 2 kerbside map if available.
Michelle Bisson, the City of Newcastle's executive director for planning and environment, has stated that the city's Newcastle Environment Strategy has a target of 52% of all new car registrations being EVs by 2030-31.
In the coming weeks, additional chargers will be installed at Beresfield and Georgetown.
Joshua S. Hill, a Melbourne-based journalist, has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on these topics for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. Interestingly, his preferred mode of transport is his feet.
- The expansion of Newcastle's electric vehicle charging network, funded by a $270,000 grant from the NSW government, aligns with the city's environmental-science strategy of transitioning towards renewable technology, such as electric vehicles (EVs), to combat climate-change.
- The city's vision for a tripled public EV charging network, as stated by Michelle Bisson, the City of Newcastle's executive director for planning and environment, includes setting a target of 52% of all new car registrations being EVs by 2030-31.
- The City of Newcastle's environmental objectives, which incorporate the expansion of its EV charging infrastructure, rely on finance from various sources, including grants provided by the NSW government, like the Electric Vehicle Kerbside Charging Grants.
- As the city works towards its environmental goals, industry sectors, such as transportation and automotive, will be impacted by the shift towards EVs, necessitating advancements in technology to support faster charging speeds and affordable solutions for consumers.
