Australia's First National EV Charging Roadmap to Map Infrastructure Needs Through 2035

The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) will lead the development of Australia’s first national electric vehicle (EV) charging roadmap that details the charging needs for passenger and heavy vehicles through to 2035.

Backed by a $1.06 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under its Driving the Nation Program, the EVC-led EV charging roadmap will aim to identify emerging charging demand, potential pressure points, and areas where greater industry coordination could help inform investment decisions.

The EVC will engage with car manufacturers, charge point operators, consumer groups, electricity networks, fleet operators, and other stakeholders to develop the evidence base of Australia’s future charging needs for both passenger and heavy electric vehicles through to 2035.

Set to be released in the middle of next year, the $1.43 million National EV Charging Roadmap will be key to strategically scaling Australia’s EV charging infrastructure, according to EVC CEO Julie Delvecchio, who pointed to coordinated national planning in other major EV markets around the globe.

“The debate about whether Australians will choose electric vehicles is increasingly behind us,” said Delvecchio.

“The options are here, and Australians are buying them in record numbers. The focus now needs to be on what happens next – so our charging system scales as EV adoption grows.

“The challenge is not simply to deliver more chargers, but to ensure we invest in the right charging infrastructure nationally, in the right places, at the right time. That requires a more coordinated approach to transport, energy and infrastructure planning.”

The need for broad industry consultation inherent in the creation of the Roadmap will be crucial to its development, according to Dr Alina Dini, the EVC head of energy, infrastructure, and commercial, and the Roadmap project director.

“Australia’s charging challenge is not a lack of activity,” Dr Dini said. 

“Significant investment and innovation are underway, but decisions across different sectors are often being made independently, without a shared understanding of future demand.

“This Roadmap is about bringing those pieces together so the sector can work from a common national vision.”

But developing a roadmap for Australia’s EV charging infrastructure is only a starting point, according to Delvecchio, and by no means the end of the task.

“The bigger job is turning evidence into coordinated action across industry, the energy system and government,” she said. “The EVC will continue to bring those perspectives together as the Roadmap moves from development to delivery.”

The EVC and ARENA have already put out the call for stakeholders to contribute to the Roadmap’s creation. To sign up for project updates and consultation opportunities, visit https://electricvehiclecouncil.com.au/national-charging-roadmap/.