The Victorian Government is providing $5 million to install 141 electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations across the state, and $3 million in new charging grants for local councils and business fleets.
Destinations include shopping complexes, public parks, community centres, libraries, and tourist hot spots such as the Great Ocean Road, Melbourne Zoo, the MCG, and Queen Victoria Market.
The state’s $3,000 zero emission vehicle subsidy is now also available at the point of sale.
The initiatives − part of Victoria’s $100 million Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Roadmap − will ramp up the state’s charging infrastructure and make it easier for Victorians to purchase an electric vehicle.
The investment will create jobs for workers installing charging stations, including electricians and technicians.
Victoria’s ZEV Roadmap will help Victoria hit its ZEV target of 50 per cent of all new light vehicle sales by 2030, a key part of halving emissions by 2030 as the nation works towards the target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
There has been a 200 per cent increase in average monthly ZEV sales in the six months since the program started.
More than 1,500 Victorians have already taken advantage of the subsidy, particularly in the western suburbs, with Point Cook and Truganina among the leading suburbs.
Local councils and businesses are encouraged to apply for fleet charging grants before applications close on Friday 21 January 2022.