EV charging
Inner West Council is committed to supporting and encourage the use of electric vehicles in the Inner West. We've secured funding from NSW Government grants and public-private partnerships to roll-out 136 public electric vehicle charging ports within the LGA in the next 12 months. This initiative marks a huge step forward in our goal to make the Inner West the most sustainable community in Australia.
Why EV charging is essential for the Inner West
As we transition towards a more sustainable future, the need for accessible EV charging infrastructure has become critical. Approximately 65% of Inner West households lack the ability to charge EVs on-site due to the absence of off-street parking, despite being ranked 12th for EV ownership in Australia. To address this, the Council has prioritised the installation of public charging stations, enabling more residents access EV charging infrastructure.
The growth of EVs in our community
EV ownership in the Inner West has seen significant growth, with registrations increasing from 163 in 2020 to nearly 1,000 at the start of 2024. Our community is known for being early adopters, and this trend is expected to continue, as nearly 10% of new cars sold in NSW in early 2024 were EVs. With the Federal Government targeting 50% of car sales to be EVs by 2030, our proactive approach ensures we are ahead of the curve. It is imperative the Inner West LGA has the infrastructure to allow for the rapid adoption of EVs.
Deployment details
The new charging ports will range from seven kilowatts to 60 kilowatts and will include pole-mounted and kiosk-style stations. They will be installed at kerbside locations throughout the Inner West, with 95 dedicated charging bays and 41 additional ports without dedicated parking. The EV dedicated charging bays will encompass only 1% of available parking spaces in the LGA, ensuring minimal intrusion to IEC (Internal Combustion Engine) drivers. This EV charging installation project aligns with the actions from our "POWERING AHEAD" Electric Vehicle Encouragement Strategy 2022.
Benefits of EV adoption
EVs offer numerous benefits over conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, including reduced emissions, better air quality, lower traffic noise, and associated public health improvements. As car manufacturers phase out the production of ICE vehicles by 2030, the shift to EVs will accelerate, necessitating viable charging infrastructure to support this transition.
Implementation timeline and funding
All chargers will be installed by April 2025 and will be available to the public 24/7. This initiative is funded through public-private partnerships and NSW Government grants, secured due to the quality of our proposals and comprehensive planning.
Strategic planning for charger locations
The locations for the new charging ports have been carefully selected based on the capacity of the electrical grid, areas with high EV uptake, and low access to off-street parking. We have also considered site selection criteria to minimize inconvenience for residents and ensure safety and accessibility.