$2500 rebates for EV smart chargers launches this month! But guess what? Yep, there are conditions…
A multi-million dollar federal government scheme providing up to $2500 to install an electric vehicle smart charger will commence this month.
But as always with such schemes, there are conditions.
In this case, the DRIVEN program run and managed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is aimed at automotive dealerships and repairers rather than private individuals.
READ MORE: Cheaper EVs! Government announces scheme to slash the cost of buying new and used electric vehicles. But there are conditions…
READ MORE: Plug pulled! As PHEV utes launch in Australia, a key tax break is being removed
READ MORE: Australians are buying bigger cars, but they’re getting cleaner – and hybrids and EVs are rushing to the CO2 rescue
The program commits $40 million out to 2028 to assist with installation of AC plugs with 7 kW charging speed (single phase), AC plugs with 11-22 kW charging speed and DC plugs with 50 kW or less charging speed.
Applications for a rebate open on January 22.
Up to $2500 will be offered per eligible smart EV charger that has been purchased and installed on-site. Applications will be permitted backdated to March 2024.
The maximum rebate available on one eligible site for multiple chargers is $20,000.
If the maximum $2500 is allocated for each installation, the $40 million will support the 16,000 new EV chargers.
The federal government says the intended outcome of the program is to increase the number of EV charging stations throughout the country including remote and regional areas, and to increase the number of EVs on the roads.
While these workshop and dealership-based chargers won’t necessarily have to be available to the public, the DRIVEN program also includes a further $20 million in grants for the installation of public charging infrastructure.
The guidelines for that part of the program are yet to be announced.
DRIVEN was originally announced as an initiative in the 2024-25 Federal Budget to support the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).
It came after lobbying from the automotive industry including the national Motor Trades Association of Australia and state-based groups such as the VACC.
“Around the world as governments look to accelerate the update of EVs through fuel efficiency standards they have also incentivised charging infrastructure,” said MTAA CEO Matt Hobbs.
“MTAA is grateful that the Australian government worked with the MTAA to deliver a targeted incentive for dealers and repairers. It is positive that it is backdated to investments made from March 2024.
“Also, the grants come on the eve of the NVES [New Vehicle Efficiency Standard] starting. Government has two accelerators – one to accelerate car companies’ delivery of vehicles, another to get the Australian industry ready to sell, service and recycle the vehicles.”
Learn more about DRIVEN here.
