The New South Wales Government has released its 2026 NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy to help reduce emissions and make EVs and their cost-of-living benefits accessible to more people.
In NSW, there is growing interest in EV uptake with sales making up 15.6 per cent of new car sales. 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%.
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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.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said, “Families are feeling the pressure every time they fill up. We want to give more families the option of taking up EVs.
“This is about giving people a real alternative, one that’s cheaper to run and with this rollout, easier to access.
“We’re making it simpler to go electric, with more chargers, better access and real savings over time.”
Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio supported the strategy, saying, “NSW is pushing on the right barriers to unlock EV uptake and help people access cost of living savings that come from making the switch. Filling regional charging gaps, expanding support for heavy vehicle fleets, and investing in workforce training are practical steps that will get more Australians into EVs sooner.
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“Expanding fleet incentives to trucks is one of the smartest moves in this strategy—it’s one of the fastest ways to cut operating costs for businesses while making our streets cleaner and quieter for everyone.”
