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Electric Vehicle Council to lead ARENA-backed National EV Charging Roadmap

EVC

13 October 2026

Australia will develop its first national roadmap to help industry and governments understand and plan the charging infrastructure needed to support millions more electric vehicles and a growing fleet of electric trucks expected on Australian roads by 2035.

Led by the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), the project will bring together car manufacturers, charge point operators, consumer groups, electricity networks, fleet operators and many more to develop the evidence base of future charging needs that will help plan Australia's charging system for what comes next.

The $1.43 million National EV Charging Roadmap is supported by $1.06 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under its Driving the Nation Program and contributions from the EVC and project partners.

EVC Chief Executive Julie Delvecchio said that while charging investment was accelerating, a key challenge is scaling infrastructure strategically.

The Roadmap will identify emerging charging demand, pressure points and where greater coordination could inform investment decisions. It will consider passenger and heavy-vehicle charging together as part of an integrated national system across metropolitan and regional Australia.

“The debate about whether Australians will choose electric vehicles is increasingly behind us,” Ms Delvecchio said. “The options are here, and Australians are buying them in record numbers. The focus now needs to be on what happens next - so our charging system scales as EV adoption grows.

“The challenge is not simply to deliver more chargers, but to ensure we invest in the right charging infrastructure nationally, in the right places, at the right time. That requires a more coordinated approach to transport, energy and infrastructure planning.

“Other major EV markets have recognised the value of coordinated national planning. This Roadmap will bring that to Australia, shaped around our distances, our electricity system and the needs of everything from passenger cars to heavy trucks.”

EVC Head of Energy, Infrastructure and Commercial and Roadmap Project Director Dr Alina Dini said broad industry consultation would be central to developing a practical, evidence-based Roadmap.

“Australia’s charging challenge is not a lack of activity,” Dr Dini said.  “Significant investment and innovation are underway, but decisions across different sectors are often being made independently, without a shared understanding of future demand.

“This Roadmap is about bringing those pieces together so the sector can work from a common national vision.

“We will be consulting widely to bring together the evidence, expertise and practical experience of charging providers, vehicle manufacturers, electricity networks, fleet operators, property owners, researchers, consumer representatives and communities.

“The Roadmap will be a planning and coordination tool rather than a fixed prediction or prescription. Its scenarios and priorities will provide a common evidence base to inform investment and decision making as EV uptake, charging technology, consumer behaviour, home charging, network investment and heavy vehicle electrification evolve.”

ARENA Chief Executive Officer Darren Miller said:

“A reliable and well-planned charging network will be critical to supporting Australia's transport transition. While investment in charging infrastructure continues to grow, it's important that future deployment is guided by a clear understanding of where demand will emerge across households, businesses, freight and public charging.

“Through this Roadmap, ARENA is supporting the nation’s most comprehensive assessment of future charging needs. This will help industry and governments plan and invest with confidence, so Australians can access charging infrastructure where they need it.”

Stakeholders who want to contribute to the Roadmap are encouraged to sign up for project updates and consultation opportunities at https://electricvehiclecouncil.com.au/national-charging-roadmap/

Ms Delvecchio said development of the Roadmap would be a starting point, not the end of the task.

“The bigger job is turning evidence into coordinated action across industry, the energy system and government. The EVC will continue to bring those perspectives together as the Roadmap moves from development to delivery.”

The final National EV Charging Roadmap is due for release in mid-2027.

About us:

About the National EV Charging Roadmap

The $1.43 million National EV Charging Roadmap is led by the Electric Vehicle Council and supported by $1.06 million in ARENA funding. The project will develop an evidence-based national view of charging needs for passenger and heavy vehicles through to 2035, identifying emerging pressure points, major dependencies and priority areas for coordination across industry, governments and the electricity system. The final roadmap is expected to be released in mid-2027.

About the Electric Vehicle Council

The Electric Vehicle Council is the national body representing the electric vehicle industry in Australia. It connects organisations across vehicles, charging, energy, fleets and the broader EV ecosystem to support the transition to electric transport.

Acknowledgement and disclaimer

This Project received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA's Driving the Nation Program.

The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government, and the Australian Government does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein.

Contact details:

Todd Hayward - 0412 205 151 - [email protected]