24 May 2025 – by Julie Perrissel
Australia’s electric vehicle (EV) transition is gaining momentum — but access to charging remains a key barrier, particularly for households without off-street parking. The Electric Vehicle Council’s Local Government Resource Pack offers a practical roadmap for councils to expand public EV charging infrastructure and deliver more equitable, community-based solutions — exactly what we’ve set out to do at ivygo!
Here’s what the report recommends – and how ivygo is helping make it happen.
What the EVC Recommends
The EVC outlines eight key focus areas for councils. Three are particularly relevant to improving community access to charging:
1. Enabling Public Charging Infrastructure
Councils are encouraged to:
- Prioritise AC Level 2 chargers for on-street parking, car parks, and local destinations.
- Deploy chargers at tourist hubs to enable “linger-and-spend” opportunities that benefit local businesses.
- Provide land access to commercial charge point operators under long-term leases or contracts.
- Work with private operators to apply for co-funding from programs such as ARENA’s Driving the Nation and NSW’s EV Destination Charging Grants.
2. Supporting High-Density Living
With a growing number of Australians living in multi-unit dwellings, councils are urged to:
- Install public chargers in residential areas with limited off-street parking.
- Support flexible deployment models and partner with private operators to meet local needs.
3. Raising Awareness and Building Community Confidence
To build momentum, councils are encouraged to:
- Host community events and EV drive days.
- Promote public charging through signage, newsletters, and digital tools.
- Provide accessible information about charging locations and the benefits of EVs.
ivygo: Supporting Councils Through Community-Powered Charging
ivygo complements public infrastructure by unlocking access to underutilised private chargers at homes and businesses across the country. Our platform connects EV drivers with verified local hosts who are willing to share their chargers for a fee – helping councils expand access without major capital expenditure or red tape.
How ivygo aligns with the EVC’s recommendations:
Deploying Infrastructure Where It’s Needed Most
ivygo brings charging to neighbourhoods with limited off-street parking, giving renters and apartment dwellers convenient, reliable options close to home.
Activating Local Businesses and Tourist Destinations
We partner with hospitality venues, hotels and motels, golf clubs, wineries, and any business interested in monetising unused parking spaces. This directly supports the EVC’s emphasis on co-locating chargers at destinations to drive economic activity.
Facilitating Public–Private Partnerships
ivygo collaborates with certified installers and hardware distributors to support scalable, cost-effective deployment – aligned with council plans and grant programs.
Empowering Councils to Do More With Less
By tapping into existing infrastructure, ivygo helps councils meet rising demand while easing the pressure on publicly funded projects.
Partner With Us
ivygo is currently in beta testing in Sydney and launching in postcode 2515 at the end of June, building on the momentum of the Electrify 2515 project by Rewiring Australia and Brighte. This pilot will help us refine our community-based model in ways that align with local government transport and climate strategies.
If your local government is looking to:
- Improve charging access
- Support small businesses
- Meet net-zero targets
- Or pilot flexible charging models
We’d love to collaborate.
Get in touch:
julie,[email protected]
