The debate over the necessity of installing additional curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the city center persists.

The debate over the necessity of installing additional curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the city center persists.

In the vibrant inner west of Sydney, the implementation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure has been a contentious issue. The primary concerns revolve around under-utilization, parking regulations, and the designation of exclusive EV bays.

Despite the rapid expansion of kerbside EV chargers, many remain under-utilized, often vacant or blocked by non-EV vehicles. This contrasts with claims by distribution network service providers (DNSPs) that lack of charging infrastructure hinders EV adoption. Inner west residents, who primarily travel approximately 50 km per week using public transport and cars for specific trips, may not require kerbside charging as much as initially thought[1].

The issue of EV charging at kerbside and pole locations is particularly contentious in Newtown, Sydney's inner west. Conflicting interests between DNSPs, who want to include chargers as part of regulated assets to speed infrastructure rollout, and charge point operators (CPOs), who resist this, add to the debate[1].

Parking regulations also play a significant role. EV chargers are ideally installed on kerbside nature strips next to lawful parking spaces, council land, or public carparks open 24/7, excluding spaces limited to dedicated car share vehicles. However, fossil fuel cars blocking EV bays impact usage and driver convenience, reducing charger effectiveness[1].

To address these issues, several solutions have been proposed. A data-driven rollout based on local demand from Local Government Areas (LGAs) is suggested to avoid overbuilding infrastructure that sees little use[1]. Clearer regulatory and parking rules, such as restricting fossil vehicles from occupying EV charging bays and improving signage/enforcement, can enhance utilization[1].

Engagement with councils is also recommended to ensure site approvals consider parking laws, community needs, and future planning constraints. Council letters of support must confirm sites are suitable and publicly accessible 24/7 (except dedicated car share bays)[2].

Leveraging renewable energy and existing power infrastructure, as seen with EVX Polechargers in the Inner West, is another proposed solution to reduce costs and improve sustainability[3]. Integration into wider energy and transmission planning could potentially improve the integration of EV chargers into the energy system in a reliable and affordable manner[4].

An exclusive EV bay restricted to actively charging EVs with a time limit between 8am and 10pm and no limit outside those times is a suggested solution to prevent fossil fuel cars from occupying EV bays[1]. Parking restrictions should be lifted to allow overnight charging at slower AC chargers, say between 1800-0800[1].

In conclusion, while kerbside EV charging infrastructure exists in Sydney’s inner west, the primary issues are under-utilization tied to local travel patterns, parking regulations that allow fossil cars to block EV bays, and debates over who should install and control chargers. Solutions involve targeted rollout based on demand data, clearer parking enforcement, council cooperation, renewable energy integration, and strategic planning coordination to ensure chargers are effectively used and meet community needs[1][2][3][4]. The author welcomes the opinions of local EV drivers regarding these suggestions.

[1] https://www.sydney.nsw.gov.au/about-council/newsroom/media-releases/2021/november/electric-vehicle-charging-in-sydneys-inner-west [2] https://www.sydney.nsw.gov.au/parking/charging-stations [3] https://www.evx.com.au/ [4] https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/transmission-planning-reform

In light of the ongoing debate about electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Sydney's inner west, some residents might reconsider their dependence on kerbside charging given their weekly travel patterns, primarily using public transportation and cars for specific trips[1]. Furthermore, the integration of renewable energy and existing power infrastructure, like the EVX Polechargers in the inner west, can reduce costs and improve sustainability[3].

Read also: