The NSW Labor government has released the 2026 NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy ‘to help reduce emissions and make EVs and their cost-of-living benefits accessible to more people, with a focus on closing charging gaps in regional, remote and suburban areas’.
In a media release, they say, ‘With global fuel prices under pressure and ongoing uncertainty in international markets, accelerating EV uptake has never been more important’.
‘Switching to an EV can cut fuel costs by up to $3,000 a year, or eliminate them entirely when paired with home solar, while reducing maintenance costs by around 40 per cent.
‘In NSW, there is growing interest in EV uptake with sales making up 15.6 per cent of new car sales.
‘Backed by $100 million in funding, the 2026 NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy sharpens the focus on five priority areas:
- Fast chargers where they’re needed most
Expanding the fast charging network with a focus on regional, remote and suburban blackspots, so EV drivers outside city centres are not left behind. - More kerbside chargers
Rolling out more kerbside charging infrastructure to help EV drivers who cannot charge at home, including apartment residents. - Electric trucks on the road sooner
Expanding the EV Fleets Incentive Program from small to medium-size trucks, allowing organisations to electrify their delivery and service fleets. - A skilled EV workforce, especially in the regions
Investing in training for around 2,000 mechanics in regional NSW, where access to courses is limited and travel distances longer, to safely service EVs and charging infrastructure. - Clear, reliable information
Strengthening central sources of information to help drivers, businesses, councils and owners’ corporations understand their options and access support.
‘To date, the NSW Government has funded more than 3,300 EV chargers in more than 1,200 sites across metropolitan, regional and remote NSW.
‘Applications are now open for eligible councils to build capability and plan for further public charging rollout under a $3 million program, recognising their key role in supporting local access to EV infrastructure.
‘Fleets and truck operators can also currently apply for grants to electrify vehicles and install charging infrastructure.
‘The Government is also boosting the electrification of transport by:
- Transitioning more than 8,000 public transport buses to zero-emission technology.
- Powering rail, light rail and metro networks with 100 per cent renewable electricity since 2025.
- Installing EV chargers at commuter car parks at major transport hubs.
- Running a two-year trial to enable zero-emission heavy vehicles on state roads.
- Delivering EV skills training across 13 TAFE NSW micro-skills courses, and training emergency service workers to respond to EV incidents.
- Launching EV Road Trips across regional NSW.
‘More than 117,000 EVs are now registered in NSW, saving an estimated 141 million litres of petrol each year’, they said.
To view the updated NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/nsw-governments-electric-vehicle-strategy.
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