Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $5,000 to $130,000
- Application opened: 12 November 2024
- Application closes: 30 June 2025, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The electric vehicle (EV) fleets incentive (the incentive) is a payment scheme that helps eligible organisations procure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and optional smart chargers. Funding is designed to cover part of purchase price and operating cost gap between a BEV and an equivalent internal combustion engine vehicle.
The Kick-start funding option provides a simple application process for organisations looking to procure 10 or fewer BEVs and optional smart chargers. A fixed incentive is provided for different types of vehicles, as outlined below:
- Passenger vehicles and SUVs: $5,000 per vehicle and $1,200 per optional smart charging port
- LCVs up to 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), excluding light trucks: $5,000 per vehicle and and $1,200 per optional smart charging port
- Light trucks up to 4.5 tonnes GVM: $10,000 per vehicle and and $3,000 per optional smart charging port
This program is administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Open to any organisation that operates a fleet of at least 3 vehicles (electric or non-electric), or organisations/individuals that own one licensed taxi in NSW. Funding is available for a maximum of 10 BEVs and 10 optional smart charging ports (one per incentivised vehicle).
Who the grant is targeted towards
Eligible organisations include but are not limited to:
- private business organisations
- non-government and not-for-profit organisations
- local councils
- state-owned corporations
- federal government agencies operating in NSW
- car rental companies
- car share companies
- car subscription companies
- car rideshare companies
- taxi owners, including individuals or organisations that own one or more licensed taxis.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Any eligible organisation procuring up to 10 BEVs and optional smart chargers from the approved list. These BEVs and smart chargers must be used within the organisation’s own fleet.
When the project can start and end
The project should be started by 24 July 2024 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2025.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
The Kick-start funding option aims to provide eligible organisations the opportunity to test EVs before undertaking a larger transition. It also offers a streamlined option for smaller fleets.
What costs you can apply for
Part of the purchase or leasing cost for eligible BEVs and optional smart chargers (one per incentivised BEV).
Who can’t apply
Ineligible organisations include:
- original equipment manufacturers
- car dealers
- budget-dependent NSW Government
Applicants cannot receive funding from other government agencies (including local, state or federal) for the same vehicles and chargers procured through the NSW Government EV fleets incentive program.
What costs you can't apply for
Procurement costs for BEVs and/or smart chargers procured before 24 July 2024 (documentation may be requested as evidence of this).
Types of projects not funded under this grant
The incentive cannot be used for the procurement of:
- HEVs and PHEVs
- vehicles above 5 tonnes
- second-hand BEVs
- new or used ICE vehicles converted to BEVs
- motorcycles (off road, road, scooters, e-bikes, mopeds, ATV/SSV – side-by-side vehicle)
- trailers and caravans
- airplanes
- boats
- any vehicles not set out in the ‘vehicle— categories’ section.
Novated leasing is excluded from the incentive.
Vehicles purchased/leased exclusively for personal use are also excluded.
Example projects
- A taxi owner-driver switching to a BEV. The owner may decide to opt out of the smart charger incentive, as they will instead rely more on the existing public charging network.
- A car rental business adding BEVs to its fleet to provide its customers with the option to hire one for holiday travel or as a way of undertaking an extended test drive.
- A construction, trade or delivery business adding electric vans, utes or trucks to its fleet.
- A local council procuring passenger BEVs for parking rangers to use, with smart chargers installed at the council depot.
What co-contributions are required
The incentive is designed to cover part of the cost of procuring BEVs and smart chargers.
Additional eligibility requirements
Organisations can be headquartered in NSW or in any other State or Territory, but incentivised vehicles must be registered and used predominantly in NSW.
An individual involved in the management of multiple entities cannot submit multiple applications at the same time using multiple ABNs. The Department reserves the right to disqualify an applicant if there is a situation which may impact the fairness and equity for other applicants.
Organisations that have received funding through any of the first three rounds of the EV fleets incentive can also apply for the kick-start funding option. If an organisation has previously received funding for fewer than 10 vehicles through round one, two and three of the EV fleets incentive, they can apply for the remaining number of vehicles to reach a total of 10.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Applicants will be required to provide the following information:
- organisation ABN and contact details
- existing vehicle fleet size and structure
- the number and type of EVs and smart chargers that funding is being requested for. This will determine the total funding request
- estimated average annual distance each vehicle is likely to travel (based on equivalent ICE vehicles in the existing fleet)
- a declaration of reputable business records stating that the organisation has the financial capability to procure the vehicles requested in the allocated timeframe.
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
Application assessment is non-competitive. Successful applicants that meet the eligibility criteria and compliance requirements will receive a funding deed, specifying the total funding and associated terms and conditions.
Start the application
Step 1: Sign-up
Applicants need to carefully read the eligibility criteria outlined in the Guidelines. If eligible, applicants need to register through the NSW EV fleets incentive website.
Step 2: Prepare the application
Applicants will be required to provide the information outlined in the checklist section above.
Step 3: Receive notification of results
The application will be reviewed by the Department and the applicant notified of the outcome within 4 weeks.
Step 4: Provide evidence for payment
Applicants must provide vehicle registration certificates and proof of purchase for any smart chargers within 120 business days (about 5 ½ months) of receiving the funding deed.
Step 5: Receive payment
Payment will be made at the end of the month in which all registration certificates are received. It can take about 35 calendar days after this before funds are received.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Application assessment is non-competitive. Successful applicants that meet the eligibility criteria and compliance requirements will receive a funding deed, specifying the total funding and associated terms and conditions.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is within 4 weeks of application.
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is within 30 business days of notification of a successful application.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is within 4 weeks of application
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is within 30 business days of notification of a successful application