Chargers Multiply in Australia
April 28, 20261 hour
David Waterworth
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Amidst a surge in interest in electric vehicles in Australia, it looks like the charging networks are keeping up. We have high-speed chargers in supermarket carparks and airports along with Level 2 pole-mounted chargers in dense inner-city suburbs.
Just walking through the local supermarket carpark gives you a glimpse into the increase in electric vehicle numbers and their concomitant charging infrastructure. I call it the car park test. When electric cars’ feeding is highly visible to the general public, it makes the point. And, yes, this supermarket has rooftop solar, which adds to the green experience.
A quick google search reveals that: “Australia boasts over 5,000 public EV charging sites, comprising a mix of fast DC chargers and slower AC destination chargers. The fast-charging network alone grew from over 1,270 locations with more than 3,400 plugs in mid-2025 to over 1,310 sites by early 2026 … The Queensland Electric Super Highway has completed its Phase 3, connecting 54 fast-charging locations, while 39 co-funded sites have opened, with the remaining 2 expected by mid-2026.”
Here are some snippets of charging news from Australia over the last month.
At the airport
BP is building a 24-bay charging hub at Melbourne airport in Victoria. It is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The charging hub will have “150kW and 300kW chargers, two accessible bays, drive-through bays for larger vehicles, a bathroom and a canopy.” Melbourne airport has 34,000 vehicles visiting each day, the charging hub will support professional drivers (with a special discount for Uber Green), businesses, travellers, and locals. BP Pulse has installed almost 300 chargers across every state and territory of Australia, apart from the Northern Territory. We even have one near our house.
Pole-mounted chargers
From charging at the airport, to charging in the inner-city suburbs. CitiPower is trialling pole-mounted EV chargers in the suburbs of Melbourne. You can watch the video here. So far, 8 are operational, with another 92 scheduled to be installed.
These 22-kW pole-mounted chargers are a boon to residents in suburbs with limited access to off-street parking. Despite the inconvenience of charging away from home, EVs have been adopted at high rates in these suburbs! Now, it is expected that more and more electric vehicles will be on the streets, plugged in! The rollout is accelerating.
“EV drivers will benefit from this operating model as there will be more choice and competition at each charging point, helping drive down prices. Through their mobile phones, drivers will be able to check out the deals on offer from the participating EMSPs (e-mobility service providers) and choose what price they want to pay before charging.” CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy’s Head of Customer Connections, Dan Bye, explained.
JOLT
One of Australia’s largest public EV fast charging networks, JOLT, has said that subscriptions in March have increased over 50%. It is tempting to think that this is a one-off, knee-jerk reaction to the American war on Iran, but as JOLT’s Chief Operating Officer, Vicki Slavina, points out: March’s EV sales surge was “the product of years of groundwork, not a single catalyst.”
One of the major hurdles identified by motorists contemplating the EV transition was confidence in a reliable and widespread charging infrastructure. “What the March data reflects isn’t a reaction to a single moment — it’s the accumulation of years of policy work, infrastructure buildout, and consumer education reaching a tipping point,” she said. Economics is driving the switch.
EVenturemap
Road tripping is easier and more fun with the new EV travel map from Central NSW Joint Organisation. “EVenturemap combines EV charging station locations with a built-in local explorer, helping drivers turn every charging stop into a mini tourism experience. With EV uptake surging across NSW, and petrol costs continuing to bite, the free platform arrives at a timely moment for motorists looking to travel smarter and more sustainably. EVenturemap is a free initiative for users, developed through the Joint Organisation Net Zero Accelerator (JONZA) Program, a collaboration of joint organisations and regional councils across NSW. This resource was developed with funding from the NSW Government.”
“EVenturemap’s key benefit for EV drivers is to make the most of their time at every charging stop and it promotes spontaneous tourism. It’s easy-to-use, free and helps motorists explore NSW more sustainably,” said Cr Kevin Beatty, Chair of the Central NSW Joint Organisation. “We hope EVenturemap empowers more people to travel and plan their trips with confidence and ease, whether they’re a tourist, a daily commuter, or a business traveller,” added Cr Beatty.
Enter your destination on EVenturemap to locate charging stations. While charging, use the QR code on the charger to locate cafes, restaurants, parks, shops, events, entertainment, and toilets. All within walking distance. The map currently identifies 2,000 EV charging stations across NSW.
Although there are some in a hurry who just want to rush their journey, there are many who appreciate the longer charge stop to get a coffee, use the facilities, and maybe even have a look at the sights.
And, of course, there have to be the spoilers
Despite all the wonderful progress, the Australian Broadcasting Commission decided to report on EV charging, highlighting (and possibly manufacturing) all the possible negatives during a road trip. You can check out the Electric Viking’s critique here. The ABC had to turn off the comments section under their piece due to the (justified) angry backlash from the EV motoring public. The tide has turned — the media are still living in a petrol-soaked past, but the general public is far more aware. You don’t fill up an electric car like you do a petrol or diesel.
It will be some time before there are “enough” public chargers, especially in some areas at some times. But with Australia’s world leading uptake of home solar, home batteries, and sensible home charging, we are doing well, most of the time. New EV drivers are learning best practice charging from their relevant Facebook groups, and public chargers are becoming more ubiquitous and obvious. We no longer have to search at a charger in a dark alley at the back of a servo (like I once had to when touring the UK).
The chicken and the egg are leapfrogging each other into a bright electric future. Don’t you just love mixed metaphors.
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