The Western Australian Government has opened grant applications for Round One of its Charge Up Workplace Grant Program which features $15 million in funding to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure throughout the state.
In the first round of the Charge Up Grants, up to $3.75 million is available for not for-profit organisations, small and medium businesses, and local government authorities.
The grant program is designed to maximise opportunities for daytime EV charging, promote off-peak EV charging, support the conversion of organisation fleets to EVs and, over time, stimulate a second-hand EV market.
EV owners will be able to reduce their carbon emissions by charging up during the day, as this is when the electricity grid is powered by the greatest share of clean solar energy.
Round One grants will fund:
- 50 per cent of the cost of up to four Level Two EV chargers (7 to 22kW AC) per site, for up to five sites
- 50 per cent of EV charger installation costs, with a cap of $5,000 per site in metropolitan areas and $10,000 per site in regional and remote areas
- 75 per cent of the cost of a two-year smart charging software subscription
Western Australian Energy Minister, Bill Johnston, said the Government is committed to preparing the state for the transition to EVs and ensuring the stability of the electricity system as the number of EVs increases.
“The Charge Up Workplace Grant Program will make it easier and more cost-effective for small to medium enterprises, not-for-profit organisations, and local government authorities to install EV charging equipment,” Mr Johnston said.
“The program will fund EV chargers in the workplace and at destinations where people typically spend time during the day, for example car parks, hospitality businesses, tourist attractions, parks and beaches.
“The program prioritises daytime charging, which will enable EV owners to charge up from the abundant solar energy that powers the grid when the sun is shining.”
Mr Johnston urges businesses, local councils, and those in the not-for-profit sector to consider how a Charge Up Workplace Grant can be used to provide EV charging infrastructure that benefits their business, customers and clients, and visitors.
Western Australia Minister for Climate Action, Reece Whitby, said he encourages Western Australian businesses and councils to get involved and apply for the funding to support the EV switch.
“The electric vehicle revolution will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve urban air quality and help WA reach its carbon reduction targets,” Mr Whitby said.
“We want Western Australians to embrace this transition, and the grant funding is an important step to drive the uptake of electric vehicles across our state.”
A maximum grant value of $50,000 per approved applicant will apply in metropolitan areas, with a maximum value of $75,000 in regional and remote areas in recognition of the higher installation costs.
The Charge Up Workplace Grant Program is part of a $60 million 2022-23 Western Australia State Budget commitment to promote EV uptake. The grant program will be administered by the Energy Policy WA Group within the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety in accordance with established grant administration protocols.
Western Australia Minister Transport, Rita Saffioti, said the investment in EV infrastructure will complement the Government’s funding towards public transport infrastructure, and overall efforts to combat climate change.
“Through initiatives such as creating the world’s longest electric vehicle highway – the WA EV Network – and now the Charge Up Workplace Grant Program, the McGowan Government is helping to establish that infrastructure,” Ms Saffioti said.
“Private EV owners are not the only beneficiaries of these initiatives. The Charge Up Workplace Grant Program will also support the conversion of fleet vehicles to EVs, which, in time, will stimulate a second-hand EV market.”
Round One grant applications close on 12 May 2023.
For full details of the Charge Up Workplace Grant Program and to apply for a Charge Up Grant, visit www.wa.gov.au/chargeup.
The contribution that the Western Australian government is making to the nation by subsidizing the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is critical to the transition to greener mobility.
The grant program was created to promote off-peak electric vehicle charging, supporting the conversion of corporate fleets to electric vehicles and, in addition, stimulating the electric vehicles market. We are convinced that it will succeed in achieving these goals full, thereby helping to reduce air pollutant emissions emitted by combustion vehicles.