newy.com.au – Five new electric vehicle chargers have been installed across Lake Macquarie, expanding the city’s public charging network as EV ownership continues to grow.
Lake Macquarie City Council supported public EV infrastructure provider EVX to deliver the chargers through an initiative funded by the Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
The chargers are now available at Edgar Street, Belmont, opposite 10 Sharp Street; Attunga Park, Charlestown, opposite 1 Shelton Street; 1 Nanda Street, Marmong Point; 228 Pacific Highway, Swansea; and 1 John Street, Warners Bay, along The Esplanade.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said new-car buyers were increasingly choosing electric vehicles.
“Electric vehicle sales in our city are growing rapidly, particularly in recent months with the steep increase in the price of petrol,” he said.
“It demonstrates that a growing number of people are ready to make the switch, and accessible public charging is an important part of supporting that transition.”
Each EVX charger delivers up to 22 kilowatts of AC charging power and is powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. The sites include dedicated on-street parking spaces reserved for electric vehicles, with a maximum stay of four hours.
The locations were selected near local centres, shops and amenities so drivers could charge while visiting nearby businesses and services. Several were also chosen in response to community demand for accessible on-street EV charging, particularly in areas with limited off-street parking.
“These chargers provide a practical option for residents, visitors and businesses, while supporting activity in our local centres and contributing to a more sustainable future,” Mayor Shultz said.
The Lake Macquarie installations are part of the EVX ChargeKonnect project, a broader trial deploying up to 250 pole-mounted EV chargers across NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Data and community feedback collected during the trial will help inform future EV charging opportunities.
Federal Member for Shortland Pat Conroy said the Australian Government-backed project would help ensure local EV drivers had access to reliable charging infrastructure.
“More Australians are choosing electric vehicles every day,” he said.
“Reliable public charging infrastructure makes the switch more accessible and achievable for households across our region.”
EVX Chief Executive Andrew Forster said the initiative was an example of “where existing infrastructure can be used smarter”.
“By mounting EV chargers on power poles that are already in the street, we can deliver neighbourhood charging at a lower cost, with less civil works and far less disruption to the community,” he said.
“Importantly, this also helps residents who cannot charge at home. It means more people can access practical, reliable EV charging close to home, without the need for large new charging sites or major changes to the streetscape.”
Residents and visitors can find EV charger locations using public charging maps such as PlugShare, while more information about the EVX ChargeKonnect project is available through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
