Exploring the Quantity of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Australia: Your Comprehensive Overview
In the rapidly evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), Australia is making significant strides in establishing a comprehensive charging infrastructure. As of mid-2025, the country boasts over 1,300 public fast-charging sites operational nationwide, according to recent reports [3]. This figure is expected to grow further, as the EV market continues to expand.
The expansion of the fast-charging network is a testament to ongoing government investments in infrastructure, aimed at supporting the surge in EV adoption. By the end of June 2025, reported figures showed 1,310 public fast-charging sites [3]. This growth is also reflected in the number of slow charging points, with around 2,100 publicly available slow charging points and 660 fast chargers reported nationally in 2023 [4].
New South Wales leads the charge, with over 3,200 public EV charge points as of early 2025 [5], followed by Victoria with 207 public charging locations, including fast and ultrafast chargers [1]. Other states and territories, such as Tasmania with 85 points and the Australian Capital Territory with 34 points, are also making progress [2].
However, the expansion of public charging stations is not without challenges. For instance, some stations can only juice up one vehicle at a time, despite offering two different plugs. Additionally, the lack of a standard position for charging ports on vehicles can make plugging-in tricky. Some charging stations, particularly the fast DC units, are complex electrical systems and can suffer faults as more drivers use them. Repair times for these stations can be prolonged due to an arduous diagnosis-to-repair process.
Moreover, many charging locations offer only one or two stations, which may not meet the growing demand. To address this issue, major networks for public EV charging stations, such as Chargefox, Evie Networks, BP Pulse, Ampol AmpCharge, Tesla Superchargers, Jolt, Exploren, EVUp, and Everty, are working to expand their footprint.
Despite these challenges, the convenience of home charging remains the best option for most EV owners. The majority of Australian homes can safely and legally access a power plug at home, provided they have off-street parking. In fact, the National Construction Code now requires all newly-constructed buildings to have EV charging provisions ready.
For older apartments and homes, it's recommended that you negotiate with all stakeholders to work through legal hurdles and prove the value of installing charging infrastructure. Some charging networks, like BP Pulse and Tesla Superchargers, vary pricing by the time of day, which could potentially make home charging a more cost-effective option during peak hours.
Public EV charging units are expensive to install and maintain, and operators need to earn a profit. This means that free charging stations, often operated by councils or state governments, are becoming increasingly rare. Payment systems for public charging stations require online accounts and smartphone apps, and some restrict payment methods to Australian ones.
While the expansion of public EV charging infrastructure is a positive step, it's essential to remember that it's still in its early stages. For the average new EV today, the claimed range is around 450km. This means that for many journeys, charging at home or at work may still be the most practical option.
In conclusion, the growth of public EV charging infrastructure in Australia is a promising development for the EV market. However, challenges remain, and it's crucial for both the government and private sector to continue investing in this area to ensure a seamless and accessible charging experience for all EV owners.
Electric-vehicle ownership in Australia is no longer just about driving technology-advanced cars; it's also about adapting a lifestyle that accommodates charging infrastructure. With ongoing investments in charging networks, the country is gradually overcoming challenges and expanding public fast-charging stations, aiming to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles.
