Electric vehicles (EVs) cost 70% less to run and 40% less to maintain. The NSW government is providing additional incentives to help reduce the upfront cost too.
If your business has a fleet of at least 3 vehicles, you may be eligible to claim $5,000 to put towards the purchase of an EV passenger vehicle, and up to $20,000 per EV truck. Businesses may also claim $4,000 to $8,000 for the supply and installation of smart chargers at your premises.
With support from the New South Wales Government, the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) and Griffith City Council hosted the Riverina and Murray region’s first ever Electric Vehicle (EV) Summit and Drive Day in Griffith, NSW on Wednesday 5 February 2025.
The event was held to dispel a few myths, share more information on the programs and incentives available for transitioning to EVs, as well as bring councils, businesses and community together to explore and test drive some of the most popular EVs on the market today; including the very recently released Ford F-150 Lightning, Mustang MachE, Hyundai Kona EV, and more!
Hosted at the Yoogali Club, the summit was tailored for council staff, businesses, and key council stakeholders, as well as the wider community and businesses in the region.
Councils and businesses heard from Speakers on topics such as NSW Government EV grant programs and funding incentives, how far the region has come since charging site feasibility assessments were completed in 2022, the ‘State of EVs 2024’ in Australia and what lies ahead, opportunities to accelerate kerbside charging, electrifying the fleet and depot readiness, understanding network capacity for EV charging, EV maintenance and repair, and vehicle to grid/building.
RAMJO Chair Cr. Ruth McRae OAM and Mayor of Murrumbidgee Shire Council said “This is a multi-faceted event being hosted in our vibrant and prosperous Region. This event is not just about helping RAMJO member councils cut costs, it’s about helping them to meet broader Net Zero initiatives and bring key players to the table, to discuss major opportunities and challenges, like how we can address grid constraint issues and get more EV’s in the region, as effectively as possible”.
Recently announced Federal support with an additional $2.4M in funding from ARENA to EVX Australia will see the installation of 250 EVX Polechargers deployed across NSW, VIC, and SA – that’s 500 additional charger points.
This separate announcement by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen will be a major boost for street-side EV charging across the country. By leveraging existing power poles, EV charging will be more accessible in both urban and regional areas— helping drivers and travellers without home charging options make the switch to electric with ease.
These initiatives are instrumental in scaling Australia’s EV future, reducing range anxiety, and supporting our goal of 100% renewable energy-powered charging.
Below are some links to Electric Vehicle related state and federal programs:-
NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy – https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/nsw-plans-and-progress/government-strategies-and-frameworks/electric-vehicle-strategy
Destination Charging Round 3 – https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/business-and-industry/programs-grants-and-schemes/electric-vehicles/electric-vehicle-destination
EV Public Charging Master Plan – https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/business-and-industry/programs-grants-and-schemes/electric-vehicles/EV-master-plan-map
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Driving the Nation Program – https://www.energy.gov.au/news-media/news/ev-charging-infrastructure-boosted-24m-initiative