Electric vehicles
Increasing infrastructure
We’re encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles (EV's) by:
- working with the community, partners, and electricity distributors to install public charging stations
- encouraging new developments and private businesses to provide public charging infrastructure where feasible
- continuing to work with, and advocate to, the Victorian Government and other regulatory authorities to support deployment of EV chargers
- transitioning Council’s fleet to low / zero emission vehicles.
Our Council Plan and the Act and Adapt Sustainable Environment Strategy support the uptake of electric vehicles in the community and exploration of public charging stations across the City of Port Phillip.
If you have questions or would like to share feedback about electric vehicles and charging stations in Port Phillip, please ask a question or make a request on My Port Phillip.
Public charging stations
Utility pole mounted and kerbside chargers
We are exploring on-street utility pole-mounted and kerbside EV charger technologies to be installed in our municipality.
Council undertook community consultation via our ‘Have your say’ webpage to seek suggestions on locations for these chargers.
We are currently working with technology providers to assess technical feasibility of the locations identified through this community consultation.
Fast Public charging stations
Council supported exploration of off-street car parks to install EV charging stations with a preferred supplier in November 2021.
We are still exploring off-street carparks as locations for EV charging stations. We are working through challenges, like the risk of flooding, and the available electrical capacity.
Council’s vehicles
We are currently transitioning our fleet of vehicles with 40 hybrid and electric vehicles already part of our fleet.
Private electric vehicle charging opportunities
Council piloted the use of private kerbside electric vehicle (EV) charging units for City of Port Phillip residents who do not have off-street car parking on their property.
Ten private kerbside EV charging units were permitted to be installed, to test the permit processes in a variety of different situations.
This pilot has enabled Council to determine the merits of making private charging more widely available to EV owners.
The outcomes of this Pilot project have been reviewed and proposed next steps were presented to Council at its meeting on 5 June 2024. Here are the minutes from the meeting.
Council supported the continuation of the private EV charger model with the following considerations. This model will:
- be extended for a period of 4 years or upon the installation of 100 private EV chargers, whichever comes first, after which time the model will be reviewed to assess the need for private EV infrastructure.
- accept permit applications in batches starting in September 2024. New calls for applications will be made as existing batches are completed.
If you are considering applying for a private EV charger, please first confirm that you and your property meet the following criteria:
- You are the property owner or a tenant with written landlord permission.
- Property is a standalone building (no multi-unit apartment buildings or office blocks).
- Property has no off-street parking.
- Property is not in a flood prone area.
- You have current public liability insurance of a minimum of $20 million that extends to include the private EV charging infrastructure and is valid for the life of the charger.
If you have confirmed the initial eligibility criteria above, please ensure this Permit application guidelines and checklist has been read and completed and is submitted as a supporting attachment with your application.
Council encourages technology providers who are able to provide private EV charging infrastructure for residents without off-street parking to get in touch at enviro@portphillip.vic.gov.au to discuss charging technology suitability.
Buying an electric vehicle
Considering going electric? Zero emissions vehicles don’t use petrol, which means they don’t emit greenhouse gases from the tailpipe. Battery Electric Vehicles and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are also examples of these technologies.
We answer some of your most frequent questions about owning an electric vehicle in the FAQs below.
Get in contact
If you would like to know more about the pilot, please contact enviro@portphillip.vic.gov.au