Five pole-mounted electric vehicle (EV) chargers have been installed in Wagga Wagga's CBD as part of a regional trial to support local and visiting EV drivers.
The trial includes Wagga Wagga City Council, Canberra Region Joint Organisation, EV charging company EVX, and Essential Energy.
The new charging units are located on existing Essential Energy utility poles on Fitzhardinge Street, Flinders Street, Beckwith Street, Albury Street, and the Bolton Park Precinct on Morgan Street.
Council's Net Zero Emissions Project Officer Hemendra Chaudhary says the initiative has boosted Wagga Wagga's public EV charging network.
"Extensive engagement was undertaken with stakeholders to identify five strategic sites within the CBD to install the chargers, including near multi-unit dwellings and key public areas," Mr Chaudhary said.
"Some of the units are located close to our shopping precinct, hospitality and accommodation venues, and one of our city's main sporting and recreation complexes.
"This means drivers can top up their EVs while they head off to do some shopping, grab a bite to eat or participate in sporting activities at Bolton Park or Wagga Leisure facilities.
"The units located in residential areas will provide reliable and affordable charging for residents who can't have chargers on their properties as they're living in areas with limited off-street parking.
The new EV charging units have been delivered as part the EVX – ChargeKonnect Kerbside EV Charging Project, funded by the Federal Government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under the Driving the Nation Program.
The project aligns with Council's sustainability and Net Zero priorities outlined in the Community Net Zero Emissions 2050 Strategy by delivering equitable access to EV charging services to the community.
"The EVX project has allowed Council to collaborate with other regional councils and increase community access to charging infrastructure," Mr Chaudhary said.
"By locating these EV charging units on kerbsides, it avoids the need to install large infrastructure units in public or private carparks, making it more accessible to more people wanting to embrace EVs, but struggling to find the infrastructure to do so.
"Increasing EV charger availability ultimately gives community members the confidence to switch to electric vehicles with the availability of reliable charging infrastructure in their proximity."
You can find the location of the chargers through the EVX app or via the global platform Plugshare: www.plugshare.com
Pole-mounted EV chargers locations
63 Beckwith Street
1 Flinders Street
