Coming Soon - EV charger trial in Yarra!
CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy will begin to roll out pole-mounted electric vehicle chargers after the Australian Energy Regulator approved their plan for an innovative trial. The trial will install one hundred 22kW chargers - some of which will be in the City of Yarra - in areas with high rates of electric vehicle (EV) uptake and low levels of off-street parking. Limited access to charging is one of the most cited barriers to EV uptake.
The trial will use an innovative operating model where the networks install, own and maintain the pole-mounted chargers. E-mobility service providers (‘ESMPs’) will then operate the chargers and manage billing and customer relationships.
The first-of-kind model aims to give EV drivers more choice and lower prices by allowing multiple EMSPs to compete for their business at every charging point.
The trial is launching as EV uptake surges in Victoria, with many owners living in urban areas where there is little off-street parking. The trial will prioritise these locations where we know people want to switch to an EV but can’t charge them at home.
The trial will also look to install chargers in parts of the electricity network with large numbers of rooftop solar installations to soak up surplus power in the middle of the day. The first 10 trial sites will be operating before the end of 2025, with the remaining chargers to be delivered in 2026.
The location of the first charger will be announced in coming weeks. CitiPower is currently in discussions with Yarra City Council to understand their requirements for enabling the delivery of EV charging infrastructure within the Yarra City Council area. Residents are invited to have their say on preferred locations through CitiPower’s Social Pinpoint platform, which you can find here .
Enquiries can also be sent to electricvehicles@powercor.com.au
