This grant assists eligible regional NSW businesses and councils by co-funding the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers at your site.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Variable amount dependent on application
- Application opened: 3 November 2023
- Application closed: 2 August 2024, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The NSW Government’s objectives of the grants are to:
- Overcome range anxiety and help to create a world-class EV charging network
- support destinations across regional NSW to be EV-ready
- support the growth of the NSW visitor economy and the ability to cater for an increasing number of EV drivers.
This program is administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible, you must:
- be located in an eligible regional NSW local government area (LGA)
- be an approved destination type
- have a live listing with ATDW (Australia Tourism Data Warehouse)
- have no more than four existing EV charge ports installed
- not be a site(s) approved for funding under round 1.
The eligible destination types and local government areas that can apply for Round 2 co-funding are outlined in the round 2 funding guidelines. Sites can be owned or operated by private entities, NSW Crown Lands, local government, or community groups
Types of projects funded under this grant
Round 2 of the EV destination charging grants will fund:
EV charger hardware:
- up to75% towards the cost of eligible 7 kW and 22 kW EV chargers from the approved EV charger hardware list
EV charger installation:
- up to 75% towards the cost of EV charger installation
- the maximum 75% funding available is capped at $3,000 per single port charger and $6,000 per dual port charger ($3,000 per charge port).
EV charger software subscription:
- up to 75% towards the cost of the first year of an eligible annual software subscription, per charge port, from the grant’s approved EV charger software list
Full details of the co-funding arrangement can be read in the round 2 funding guidelines.
Who can’t apply
Ineligible if:
- Site not located in an eligible regional NSW local government area (LGA)
- Does not have an approved destination type on the destination type list
- Does not have a Live Listing with ATDW (Australia Tourism Data Warehouse)
- Site has more than 4 existing EV Charge ports
- Was a site(s) approved for funding under Round 1.
What costs you can't apply for
What the grant won’t co-fund:
· grant application costs (including application project management fees with third party consultants)
· destinations that do not meet the eligibility criteria or do not have a live ATDW listing
· feasibility studies, business case development or council approval costs (if required)
· EV chargers that have already been purchased and/or installed prior to submitting a grant application
· EV charger hardware models and software subscriptions not listed on the eligible EV destination charger hardware and software list.
· ongoing costs to operate or maintain charger(s) including electricity
· salaries or staffing expenses
· promotion or marketing costs.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Step 1
Read the EV destination charging grant guidelines – round 2 and the applicant handbook- round 2 to understand the grant requirements and how to apply
Step 2
Check your eligibility, and understand your commitments for the grants, using the grant guidelines to ensure your site:
- is located within a designated NSW local government area (LGA)
- is an approved destination type and has a live Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing
- has no more than four existing EV charge ports installed at the site
- has off-street parking capable of supporting EV charger installations (or on-street parking if you are a Local Council and off-street parking is not available)
- not be a successful site from round 1 funding under the EV destination charging grants
Step 3
Contact a licensed electrician or licensed EV charger supplier to help you understand your site’s electrical layout and capacity and the most suitable EV charger size and model for your site. The grants can fund up to 4 EV charging ports.
Step 4
Obtain a commercial quote for the purchase and installation of a NSW Government approved EV charger(s) and EV charging software (if selected).
Please note, the quote submitted in an application will be used to calculate the grant’s co-funding amount.
As this is a co-funded grant, successful applicants are required to pay their share of project costs not covered by the grant for the EV charger, installation and software. Some payments will be required upfront prior to claiming the grant funding.
Step 5
Prepare information to apply:
- Obtain approvals to install an EV charger(s) at the site from relevant authorities if necessary, such as local council or property owners and landlords
- Take clear photos of the proposed off-street parking location where the EV charger(s) intend to be installed (or on-street parking location for relevant local councils)
- Collect relevant business information
- Understand the applicant’s commitments and declarations required under the grant guidelines
Step 6
Complete an application on SmartyGrants by visiting the EV destination charging grants website
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
The Office of Energy and Climate Change will assess applications as they are received.
Applications are assessed on:
- the ability to meet all eligibility criteria
- provision of supporting documentation as requested
- their contribution to effective geographic coverage and destination type distribution of EV chargers across regional NSW.
The office will review applications for completeness to confirm they meet the eligibility requirements outlined in these guidelines. Submitting a valid application does not guarantee the application will be successful. If an application does not meet eligibility requirements, it will not be considered further in the assessment process.
If multiple destinations propose EV chargers within the same region or locality, the office reserves the right to reject applications to ensure equitable geographic coverage and destination type distribution is achieved across the state.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Office of Energy and Climate Change, NSW Treasury
Confirmation of application
Applicants that meet eligibility criteria and submit a completed application form will receive an email notification confirming the application has been received by the office for assessment. Applicants will be notified of the outcome within 8 weeks of their application submission.
Successful applicants
The office will provide an email specifying:
- the approved site(s) details
- the exact co-funding amount
- the due date being the 5-month timeframe that the EV charger(s) need to be installed by
- details of the Grant Payment Request Form to submit.
- next steps.
Applicants will be required to sign and return a letter of offer agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of the grant.
Successful applicants are directed to proceed to the next stage where they can work with their nominated licensed electrical contractor to purchase and install each EV charger(s) within the due date set out in the notification letter.
Successful applicants are required to pay their share of project costs not covered by the grant for the EV charger, installation and software.
Once the EV charger(s) (and software, where applicable) is installed and operational, applicants must return to the Grants application portal to complete a Grant Payment Request Form with the eligible payment requirements to provide evidence to receive funding.
Within 4 weeks of submitting the Grant Payment Request Form, the Office will notify applicants in writing and confirm their evidence has been accepted, or if required, will request further information. The Office will process grant payments within 4 weeks of this confirmation email.
If evidence is deemed to not meet the requirements outlined in these guidelines, the Office will contact applicants to request further documentation or evidence. Payment will be withheld until applicants submit this required evidence and meet the requirements
Read the details outlined in the terms and conditions section of these guidelines for further details before applying.
Unsuccessful applicants
Unsuccessful applicants will receive an email advising that their application is unsuccessful for round 2 of funding.
If unsuccessful in this funding round, applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can re-apply for future funding rounds. The Office encourages unsuccessful applicants to continue to use the information provided in these guidelines to purchase and install an EV charger at destination sites outside of these grants. Further information can be found at www.energy.nsw.gov.au/EVdestinationgrants
Support and contact
For more information about the grant and application process, you can head to:
Website: Electric vehicle destination charging grants | NSW Climate and Energy Action