Australia launches EV Friendly Towns program and subsidised home chargers

The New South Wales government and the Electric Vehicle Council introduced the EV Friendly Towns awards to highlight regional councils that are building charging infrastructure, visitor amenities and tourism experiences for electric‑vehicle drivers. The scheme, announced by NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe and EVC CEO Julie Delvecchio, comes after battery‑electric and plug‑in hybrid cars made up a record 36% of passenger‑car sales in June 2026, with the Tesla Model Y the best‑selling model.

In southeast Queensland, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is funding a limited‑time home‑charger subsidy that reduces the price of a 7 kW smart charger to $95 and a 22 kW unit to $379 after an $1,100 rebate. The offer, delivered through EVSE, covers households in the Energex network – about 1.48 million homes – and includes installation costs of roughly $1,400‑$1,500. EVSE CEO Sam Korkees said the programme supports grid flexibility and the broader EV rollout across the state.