Push for more free public charging stations as electric car sales soar on the northern beaches

A massive spike in the ownership of electric cars in Sydney has sparked a push for more free public charging stations.

More free public charging stations for electric cars are set to roll out on the northern beaches to meet a massive local demand for the non-emission vehicles.

Latest figures show the Northern Beaches Council area has the highest uptake of electric vehicles in NSW.

In August 2023, locals had a total of 1387 EVs, an 84 per cent increase on the previous 12 months, according to the Australian Automobile Association.

The council is one of eight local government areas taking part in a 12-month trial to make EV charging stations easier to access for motorists who live in flats and townhouses.

The Intellihub EV Streetside Charging Project transforms streetside power poles into charging points. The council has identified 12 possible sites between Palm Beach and Manly including Terrey Hills, Frenchs Forest and Allambie Heights, for their installation (See list of proposed sites below)

An artist's impression of one of the Intellihub electric vehicle charger stations attached to a power pole proposed for the northern beaches. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

It already has funding for seven of streetside chargers but, as more funding becomes available, will look to roll out more charging stations to the remaining sites.

About eight out of 10 electric vehicle owners charge their car at home, according to the NRMA, but this project, funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, will make it easier for those who live in apartments, townhouses or units with no on-site EV charging facilities, the council said.

An artist's impression of the location at Palm Beach, of one of the Intellihub electric vehicle charger stations attached to power poles proposed for the northern beaches. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

An artist's impression of the location in West Promenade, Manly, of one of the Intellihub electric vehicle charger stations attached to power poles proposed for the northern beaches. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

The council is now reviewing feedback — it received close to 400 submissions — on the proposed locations of the power pole chargers after public submissions closed on October 4.

As well as Intellihub trial, a move to add another seven free EV charging stations, between Seaforth and Palm Beach, is also underway. They will be installed by JOLT, a private Sydney-based EV charging company, in partnership with the council.

An artist's impression of one of the new Jolt electric vehicle charger stations proposed for the northern beaches. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

An artist's impression of another type of Jolt electric vehicle charger stations proposed for the northern beaches. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

After three new charging stations were installed earlier this year, there are currently more than 20 EV charging locations across the northern beaches.

The seven new proposed locations were selected in partnership with Ausgrid and Transport for NSW. (See list below).

A decision about the proposed new locations for the new JOLT EV charging stations was on the Northern Beaches Council Local Traffic Committee meeting agenda on Tuesday. The decision is expected to be released within a week.

Northern Beaches mayor Sue Heins charging an electric vehicle. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

Mayor Sue Heins said becasue EVs were increasingly popular, “it is very important we work with partner organisations to facilitate and provide public EV charging infrastructure at key locations.

“Council is committed to reducing vehicle emissions by 30pc by 2038,” she said.”

The stations will be powered from 100pc renewable sources, are Green Power accredited, and will allow people to charge their vehicles for up to 15 minutes.

SITES OF PROPOSED ‘INTELLIHUB’ STREETSIDE CHARGING POINTS:

Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach (outside Dunes Palm Beach)

59 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach

Dearin Reserve – opposite 13 Kalinya Street, Newport

19 Yulong Ave, Terrey Hills

15 Coronation Street, Mona Vale

Boondah Road, Warriewood – Boondah Reserve Field 5

Blackbutts Road (opposite Malbara Crescent), Frenchs Forest

9 Anzac Ave, Collaroy

118 Allambie Road, Allambie Heights

25-27 Ashburner Street, Manly

11 Gilbert Street, Manly

4 West Promenade, Manly.

SITES OF PROPOSED FREE PUBLIC CHARGING STATIONS TO BE INSTALLED BY JOLT:

Pittwater Park South, Palm Beach

Berry Reserve Carpark, Narrabeen

Collaroy Beach Reserve Carpark

Civic Centre Carpark, Dee Why

Oaks Ave, Dee Why (outside 7 The Strand)

South Steyne, Manly (south of Wentworth Street intersection)

Kempbridge Ave, Seaforth

For a map of EV charging points, click here.