After a year and a half of planning we are very excited to release a tender for more than 20 Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers across 17 sites in regional Victoria!

Driving off the major highways into regional Victoria will soon be much easier for Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers thanks to a new network of electric vehicle charging stations.

The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA) is working in partnership with 12 local councils and the Victorian Government to roll out a network of public EV charging infrastructure. In addition to council contributions, the CVGA received funding under the State Government’s $2.7 billion Building Works package to address the Electric Vehicle charging station gaps identified in the first stage of our Charging the Regions project. The funding will fast track investment in key towns to ensure there is a dense network of charging stations in the Mallee and Loddon Campaspe region, as well as other regions in Victoria.

The project will install a mix of 25 and 50kw DC fast chargers, located on council land and in locations identified in collaboration with participating councils. Though yet to be confirmed for all sites, it is expected that the power purchased for the EV chargers will be from 100% renewable electricity.   

Charging the Regions is an exciting project that will ensure that the regions do not get left behind as more and more electric cars hit the road. It will help boost jobs, stimulate EV tourism and encourage people who live in regional Victoria to think about ‘going electric’ on their next vehicle purchase. A great example of a positive stimulus project delivered in partnership between the Victorian Government and local councils.

It is expected that 20-24 chargers will be built across 17 different sites within the following council areas: 

- Mildura Rural City Council
- Swan Hill Rural City Council
- Campaspe Shire Council
- Loddon Shire Council
- Central Goldfields Shire Council
- Gannawarra Shire Council
- Buloke Shire Council
- Mount Alexander Shire Council
- City of Greater Bendigo
- Greater Shepparton City Council
- Wellington Shire Council
- Whittlesea Shire Council 

The CVGA has announced an open tender for the supply, installation and maintenance of the charging network. For interested parties, details on the tender are available at www.eprocure.com.au/centralgoldfields    

The first stations will be installed in coming months and the project is expected to be completed in June 2021. 


Photo: The CVGA Hyundai Kona EV testing out a 25kw DC charger in Moreland City Council in June 2020

The CVGA is very pleased to welcome a new staff member Stuart Nesbitt to the team. Stuart has started as the project manager for the Charging the Regions project, where he will oversee the rollout of the public EV charging network. 

Stuart brings a wealth of experience to the role and will be immensely valuable to the region in helping to accelerate the transition to low emissions vehicles across council operations and the broader community. 

For the past 10 years Stuart has worked as the Climate Change Technical Officer with Moreland City Council. In this role he delivered 25 EV charging stations (11 private for council and 14 public including Victorias first ever public DC charging station). He also stimulated the growth of EVs in Moreland Councils fleet to 23, one of the highest numbers of EVs in council fleets across the country. 

Stuart is also a diesel mechanic by trade with 20 years in the automotive industry including 10 years in fleet management in local government. 

Stuart also drives an electric motorbike as well an electric hyundai kona, so if you see him on the road in regional Victoria he loves to talk about electrifying transport!