Electric Vehicle ChargeSmart Grants Program (3rd Round) – Australia

Aims

• The third iteration of ChargeSmart aims to address:
  • gaps in the network
  • increasing capacity (such as size or additional locations) in key areas, such as cities and arterial routes (for example the Midlands and Bass Highways)
  • increasing the capacity of existing stations
  • applying the Australian Government’s Minimum Operating Standards for Government-supported Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (the national minimum operating standards) for new installations.
• Additional aims for charging stations include:
  • layouts that allow larger vehicles or towing vehicles
  • accessible and all-weather access (awnings or roofing, lighting and surveillance).

Funding Information

• The Tasmanian Government is offering individual grants of up to $50,000 to businesses, organisations, and local governments. Applicants can apply for a grant of any amount up to $50,000 but must also cocontribute an amount at least the same as the approved grant funding. The grants are to cover the upfront cost of purchasing and installing Direct Current (DC) electric vehicle fast charging infrastructure for public use or upgrading infrastructure at an existing public charging station. The total funding available is $550,000.

Eligible Expenditure

• Eligible expenditure for the grant funding provided by the Tasmanian Government includes the cost of:
  • Purchasing direct current (DC) Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), including associated connections. EVSE must provide a minimum charge rate of 50kW, meet the national minimum operating standards for plug types, and be universally accessible.
  • Installing charging infrastructure. A licenced electrical contractor must install charging infrastructure and meet relevant Australian Standards.
  • Civil works such as trenching and laying plinths.
  • Electrical works such as cabling and switchboard upgrades.
  • Credit card reader.
  • Complying with relevant Australian Standards for carparks and parking bays, such as bay painting and installing bollards.

Ineligible Expenditure

• The below expenditure is ineligible for the grant funding provided by the Tasmanian Government:
  • Reimbursement of retrospective project expenditure
  • General operational business expenses, including office expenses, salaries and wages, maintenance costs, accounting, legal, compliance, government fees and software licensing (installation or upgrades).
  • Costs associated with patents and intellectual property.
  • Feasibility studies, business case development or council approval costs (if required).

Outcomes

• The following outcomes can be expected as a direct result of this grant program:
  • Current and potential EV owners have greater confidence in Tasmania’s EV charging network coverage, capacity and reliability.
  • Increased capacity at key locations.
  • The distance between charging stations is minimised.
  • Charging gaps in the Central Highlands and Central Plateau areas are addressed.
  • Public charging stations meet, or plan to meet, national minimum standards for accessibility, payment, and safety.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for a grant, you must be one of the following:
  • A local government agency or body.
  • A not-for-profit incorporated organisation.
  • A not-for-profit or community group that is not incorporated if sponsored by an incorporated organisation. The sponsoring organisation must provide a letter to confirm it will accept the relevant legal and financial requirements.
  • A for-profit incorporated organisation.
  • A business holding an active Australian Business Number continuously since, on or before 1 January 2025 and be registered for GST (if applicable).

For more information, visit ReCFIT.