Electric vehicle chargers

Pole-mounted charging sites have been selected based on a range of factors including: 

• Feedback from community engagement in the 2023 Have Your Say.
• Capacity of the electricity network to support the operation of a pole-mounted charger. 
• Location of utilities and open space. 
• Accessibility of car spaces. 
• Areas of highest demand based on current and future EV ownership projections. 

Visit PlugShare to find an EV charger near you, or anywhere in the world, on their interactive map.

PlugShare is a global, community-based tool, and the City of Port Phillip takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information on this website. 

If you would like to suggest a location to install a pole-mounted EV charger, please contact us via My Port Phillip.

The Australian Government's Green Vehicle Guide has resources including:

• Home Charging Calculator: to better understand the charging costs of owning an electric vehicle.
• Vehicle Comparison Calculator: to compare vehicles based on emissions, fuel consumption and more.

The Electric Vehicle Council is Australia's peak body representing the EV industry. Their resources include:

• Battery reuse and recycling education
• Research and publications

You are eligible to apply for a private EV charger if you, your property, and your proposed charger location meet all of the following criteria:

• Applicant is a resident within the City of Port Phillip.
• Applicant is a property owner, or a tenant with written landlord permission.
• Property is a standalone building.
• The applicant must have current public liability insurance (of a minimum of $20 million) that extends to include the private kerbside EV charging infrastructure, and be valid for the life of the charger. Check with your home insurance provider if you are unsure.

• Parking area where you will charge your EV is not in a bike path or laneway.
• The charger must be at least 2.5 metres away from the base of any street tree. If this distance is not possible, the applicant must obtain an arborist’s report.
• The footpath should be at least 1.8 metres wide (not including the nature strip). If the footpath is narrower than 1.8 metres, this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• The charger cannot be within 10 metres of an intersection, unless parking restrictions permit.
• The charger must be at least 300mm away from utility pits, and at least 100mm away from a stormwater pipe (legal point of discharge).
• The charger must be at least one metre away of any public infrastructure including, but not limited to:
  • streetlights
  • utility boxes
  • pedestrian crossings
  • fire hydrants
  • power poles
  • side-entry stormwater pits
  • vehicle crossings (driveways, laneways, roadways)

How much does it cost to have a private EV charger? 

There is no cost to complete an expression of interest form. Fees apply to your permit application, the permit itself, and any installation costs. More information on these can be found by submitting an expression of interest form. 

Will the parking space next to the kerbside charging unit always be available for my use?

No. There is no exclusive access to the parking space for the purpose of charging. The parking space will still be available for public use and parking restrictions will not be amended.

Therefore, residents need to understand and be comfortable that they will only be able to access the parking space for kerbside EV charging when it is available.

Does lodgement of an application guarantee a permit to install the kerbside EV charging unit? 

No, a permit application to Council cannot fully guarantee that a permit will be issued to install the kerbside charging unit. Each site is assessed independently, and certain site conditions can deem a site not suitable to the proposed installation of the kerbside EV charging unit.

Can anyone else use the EV charger in front of my house? 

No. The permit conditions allow only the permit holder to charge from the private charger unit.

Why can't I just run a power cord from my house to the EV parked out front? 

It is a Local Law in the City of Port Phillip that you cannot run power cords across a footpath or road for safety reasons.

How long will it take to get a permit for a kerbside EV charging unit after my application? 

Each application is unique and processing times will vary depending on the complexity of the site.

How long will this program run for?

Our private EV charger model will continue until mid-2028 or until 100 chargers have been installed, after which the model will be reviewed.

We encourage technology providers who are able to provide private EV charging solutions for residents without off-street parking to contact us via My Port Phillip.

Please view our Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure guidelines to assess your suitability.