Australia’s electric vehicle charging industry is urging governments to act on regulatory barriers, warning that continued fuel price volatility is exposing gaps in the nation’s energy resilience.
In a joint statement, charging operators and industry groups said the sector is ready to invest heavily in infrastructure, but progress depends on clearer and more consistent policy settings across all levels of government.
“The private sector is ready to do the heavy lifting. What we need from government is certainty,” the group said.
Investment ready, but barriers remain
Industry stakeholders say billions of dollars could be deployed into EV charging networks by 2030, spanning metropolitan, regional and highway locations. However, delays linked to grid connections, pricing frameworks and network access are slowing momentum.
David McElrea from the Smart Energy Council said infrastructure bottlenecks are now the main constraint.
“Right now, the biggest barrier to rolling out EV charging at scale isn’t demand or technology — it’s the basic plumbing of the system,” he said.
“We’re seeing wildly inconsistent connection costs and delays of up to two years, which is holding back investment that’s ready to go.”
Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla echoed those concerns, pointing to network-related hurdles rather than a lack of market demand.
“If there is a market insufficiency, it lies not in a lack of commercial interest, but rather in DNSP-controlled barriers: limited visibility of hosting capacity, delays in connection approvals, and inconsistent or unaffordable access charges,” the company said.
Market structure under scrutiny
Another key issue raised by the sector is the role of distribution network service providers (DNSPs), with industry participants warning that allowing monopoly operators to enter the competitive charging market could discourage private investment.
Sean McGinty from EVX Australia said uncertainty around market structure is already having an impact.
“The spectre of monopoly DNSPs, which control 90% of the input costs of EV charging, entering the competitive EV charging market is slowing investment in EV infrastructure. Perversely creating the problem they’re spruiking to be saviour of,” he said.
Consumers driving the shift
Stephanie Bashir, chief executive of Nexa Advisory, said the transition to EVs is being shaped by consumer demand for cost certainty, similar to the rise of rooftop solar and battery storage.
“EVs are the next frontier for Australians wanting to take control of their cost of living, now the we have shown the world what gets people investing in rooftop solar and batteries. To make that a real possibility for everyone, charging infrastructure has to roll out – everywhere, fast,” Bashir said.
Policy certainty seen as critical
The industry is calling for a coordinated national approach, with clearer policy direction, streamlined planning processes and stronger collaboration between governments, councils and network providers.
Jackie Trad from the Clean Energy Council said consistent policy settings are essential to unlocking investment.
“Reliable, widely available charging gives people the confidence to purchase electric vehicles, helping Australians make the switch. Support for the charging industry will drive investment, create jobs, support local energy use and improves the nation’s resilience to withstand global fuel supply disruptions,” she said.
Jane Butler from AGL Energy added that the opportunity depends on getting the policy framework right.
“To capture the EV opportunity, we need the right policy settings to support timely and effective development of charging infrastructure that keeps cost to consumers as a central tenet,” Butler said.
Fuel shocks driving urgency
Industry stakeholders say repeated global fuel disruptions highlight the need to reduce reliance on imported oil and accelerate electrification.
With EV adoption rising and infrastructure demand increasing, the sector argues the current environment presents a critical window for action.
“Our message is simple: the fuel crisis should be a catalyst for action,” the group said.
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