Ongoing expansions will grow the The City of Newcastle public EV charging post network to 50 accessible charging ports across 15 locations, offering more options for residents and visitors to charge their EVs. Chargers are now live in five areas, with six more sites set to be completed by the end of May. Works at each site are expected to take about two weeks once underway.
The new installations are part of the city’s push to support the growing number of EVs registered in the area. “We are supporting the growing number of EV drivers who live in and visit Newcastle by tripling the number of public EV charger ports across the city,” a Council spokesperson said.
Locations were chosen after a study assessed parking demand and proximity to local businesses and services, with particular attention given to areas that lack off-street parking or existing charging options. Newcastle’s EV charging guide notes that “only EVs that are charging” can park in these bays, and fines apply to those not using the chargers.
In Newcastle East, eight new chargers on Wharf Road are under construction, while plans are in place to begin installation at other sites including Beresfield, Georgetown and Wickham. Once completed, these new facilities will make it easier for EV drivers to access public charging across more parts of the city.
Charger types vary between locations, with speeds of 7kW, 22kW and 60kW. Some chargers require users to bring their own cable, while 60kW models have one built-in. Pricing is set at $0.20 per kilowatt hour for 7kW and 22kW chargers, and $0.60 for 60kW fast chargers.
All chargers are powered by 100% renewable energy, drawn from the City of Newcastle’s own Summerhill Solar Farm and a power purchase agreement with the Sapphire Wind Farm.
The expansion supports the Newcastle Environment Strategy, which aims for 52% of all new car sales in the city to be electric vehicles by 2031. The project is co-funded through a $270,000 NSW Government grant under its kerbside EV charging program.
