Thinking about a road trip? Driving across NSW in an electric vehicle is about to get easier, with the Minns Labor Government announcing a $5.9 million boost to regional charging infrastructure– bringing 159 new chargers to 48 locations across the state, including a major expansion in the Shoalhaven.

The latest round of the EV Destination Charging Grants will be supported by an additional $3.2 million in private investment.

The chargers, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, will be installed over the next year at popular rest stops, supermarkets, visitor hubs and key tourism destinations.

Shoalhaven is the biggest winner in the rollout, set to receive 19 new charging ports, addressing what South Coast electorate MP Liza Butler says has long been a barrier for both residents and visitors.

. “Sydney is obviously the number one destination for tourists in NSW and number two is the Shoalhaven– people would not come if they can’t charge their vehicles, and we were a bit of an EV charging wasteland,” Butler said.

The region has one of the highest uptakes of EV ownership in the state, a trend Butler said is driven by falling prices and greater choice in the market.

“With different brands on the market, more people are investing,” she said.

“The Shoalhaven has one of the largest uptakes of EV vehicle purchases and then you combine that with people travelling here– we really needed to invest in that infrastructure.”

Local tourism operators have been feeling that demand too.

“I have a friend who owns holiday cabins in Bulli Point,” Butler said. “They used to book online, but now people ring up asking, ‘Where do I charge my EV?’ before they book.”

Until recently, charging options in many parts of the region were limited to slow “trickle charging”, often nothing more than an extension cord from a motel or cabin.

The new chargers now installed in Ulladulla and Nowra are super-fast models capable of topping up a battery in around 20 minutes.

“By the time you go and walk or buy a coffee and come back, your car is charged,” Butler said.

More chargers are planned for Callala Bay, Vincentia and Huskisson.

Council and installers are working through site options, with grid capacity a key consideration.

Council has also streamlined the development application process after the first Ulladulla charger took two years to gain approval.

Butler said she pushed for the change. “It’s only a charging station,” she said. “That process has now been streamlined– it shouldn’t take as long from now on.”

Sites are generally located near shops or town centres so drivers can make use of local businesses while they charge.

“It’s great because Council then gets rental money from the sites, and businesses benefit from the foot traffic,” Butler said.

“I’ve never seen traffic congestion anywhere, and I’m probably one of the most frequent users of EV chargers.”

Holiday periods show how vital the infrastructure has become.

“At Christmas the number of electric vehicles on the coast is incredible because all the people from Sydney and Canberra come down,” she said. “They need somewhere to charge their cars– our area relies on tourism.”

The EV Destination Charging program forms part of the state’s broader $199 million plan to make NSW the easiest place to own an electric vehicle.

Nearly 3,300 chargers have now been funded across more than 1,200 sites. Butler said the benefits will be felt both environmentally and economically.

“By having charging stations that are easily accessible, it encourages more people to buy EVs. If you don’t have the facilities, you get range anxiety,” she said.

“It’s important that we get to net zero, and if everyone does their little part in it we will get there.”

“I like to see a vehicle that isn’t putting any emissions out, it’s better for the environment, better for people’s pockets… but we need that to attract tourism to get a visitor economy here which we really rely on.”

With reliable, fast-charging infrastructure now spreading through the Shoalhaven, Butler believes the region is well placed to welcome more EV drivers, and more visitors, for years to come.