AEMC proposes new rules for Australian EV charging rollout

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has released a draft determination to support the Commonwealth’s $40 million Accelerating EV Charging Program. The initiative aims to address charging blackspots in regional areas and high-density urban locations where residents lack access to off-street parking.

The proposed rules would require electricity distributors to facilitate private charge point operators in high-density areas. If commercial operators do not utilize identified sites, distributors would act as a last resort supplier. In regional blackspots, distributors would be required to supply infrastructure to ensure coverage in commercially less attractive areas.

The Commonwealth will fund approximately 30% of the infrastructure costs, with the goal of installing 14,000 chargers. The remaining 70% of costs would be recovered from consumers, which is estimated to add roughly $1.00 per year to a typical residential bill for a five-year period. AEMC chair Anna Collyer stated that the program’s benefits, particularly regarding emissions reduction, outweigh the costs to consumers.