Australia’s future EV charging needs will be mapped through a new national project that brings fleet operators into the planning process alongside vehicle manufacturers, charging providers and electricity networks.
The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) will lead the $1.43 million National EV Charging Roadmap, supported by $1.06 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under its Driving the Nation Program.
Due for release in mid-2027, the roadmap will assess charging requirements through to 2035, considering passenger vehicles and heavy vehicles together across metropolitan and regional Australia.
For fleet managers, the project offers an opportunity to bring operational experience into decisions about where charging infrastructure is needed and how it should support different vehicle applications.
Planning beyond charger numbers
EVC Chief Executive Julie Delvecchio said the next stage of Australia’s EV transition required greater coordination between transport, energy and infrastructure planning.
“The challenge is not simply to deliver more chargers, but to ensure we invest in the right charging infrastructure nationally, in the right places, at the right time,” Ms Delvecchio said.
The roadmap will identify emerging charging demand, potential pressure points and areas where coordination could help guide investment.
That matters for fleets because the availability of a charger is only part of the equation. Its location, accessibility and suitability for the vehicle’s operating schedule also influence whether it can support daily operations.
Considering passenger cars and heavy vehicles within the same planning framework should help build a clearer picture of how different users will draw on Australia’s charging infrastructure and electricity system.
Fleet experience to inform national planning
EVC Head of Energy, Infrastructure and Commercial, and Roadmap Project Director, Dr Alina Dini said broad consultation would underpin the work.
“Australia’s charging challenge is not a lack of activity,” Dr Dini said. “Significant investment and innovation are underway, but decisions across different sectors are often being made independently, without a shared understanding of future demand.”
Consultation will include fleet operators, property owners, researchers, consumer representatives and communities, alongside charging providers, vehicle manufacturers and electricity networks.
For fleet organisations, contributing practical information about vehicle utilisation, dwell times, routes and charging constraints could help connect national planning with the realities of running electric vehicles.
The roadmap will use scenarios and priorities to establish a common evidence base. It is intended to evolve with changes in EV uptake, charging technology, consumer behaviour, home charging, electricity network investment and heavy vehicle electrification.
Supporting investment decisions
ARENA Chief Executive Officer Darren Miller said understanding future demand would be critical to guiding infrastructure deployment.
“Through this Roadmap, ARENA is supporting the nation’s most comprehensive assessment of future charging needs,” Mr Miller said.
“This will help industry and governments plan and invest with confidence, so Australians can access charging infrastructure where they need it.”
For fleet managers evaluating electrification, the roadmap could provide useful context for longer-term vehicle and infrastructure decisions. Its practical value will depend on how the evidence translates into coordinated investment and delivery.
