AEMC supports Commonwealth's $40m EV charging program

Energy Networks Australia (ENA) has welcomed a new draft rule from the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) that paves the way for the Australian Government’s Accelerating EV Charging Program.

The $40 million program aims to place a total of 14,000 chargers across regional charging blackspots and high-density kerbside areas in cities where customers have limited access to off-street charging.

Under the draft rule, participating distributors must provide efficient connection and access requirements to the private charge point operators responsible for installing kerbside EV charging infrastructure in high-density areas.

Additionally, in instances where the charge point operators don’t take up identified sites, the rule requires participating distributors to be the last-resort supplier. Participating distributors will also be required to be the supplier in regional blackspots to ensure infrastructure is delivered in areas which may otherwise be ignored because they are regarded as commercially less attractive.

Having taken into account the program’s likely emissions-reduction benefits, as well as its effect on consumer bills, competition between charging providers and access to EV charging for people without off-street parking, the AEMC determined that the expected benefits outweigh the cost to consumers.

With the Commonwealth funding approximately 30% of the cost, participating networks will recover the remaining 70% of the cost from consumers, which is estimated to add approximately $1.00 a year to a typical residential customer’s bill for five years.

“Having weighed all factors, the Commission is satisfied the program’s likely benefits outweigh its costs to consumers, given its targeted and time-limited design,” said AEMC Chair Anna Collyer. “Lessons learned from the trial program will inform future Commission decisions regarding EV infrastructure.”

While praising the draft rule for making EV ownership more accessible to renters, apartment residents and regional drivers, ENA CEO Dom van den Berg said a longer-term solution was needed.

“We need to put this into context: 14,000 chargers are a good start, but Australia needs an enduring solution,” she said. “We need to deliver the scale of charging infrastructure required for road users, today and in the future, to switch to EVs and capture the associated cost savings.”

ENA’s rule change proposal, now being considered by the AEMC, would allow networks to play a role in supporting ongoing EV charging deployment and install kerbside chargers on existing poles, with every proposal scrutinised by the regulator.

“Our model keeps competition at the plug. Networks build and maintain the chargers, but we wouldn’t sell the power. Drivers choose their provider, just like they do at home,” Van den Berg said.

“It’s about using infrastructure already on our streets to make EV charging accessible to people who cannot charge at home and are not yet being served by the market.”

Submissions on the draft determination relevant to the Accelerating EV Charging Program close on 5 November 2026, ahead of a final determination due by the end of 2026.

Image credit: iStock.com/moisseyev