Melbourne, Victoria – New data released by the Victorian Government this week highlights ongoing expansion of the state’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, coinciding with a parliamentary inquiry’s urgent call for accelerated rollout and clearer strategies. The update to the ‘Government Funded Public EV Chargers’ dataset on June 12, 2026, and its metadata on June 13, 2026, confirms continued investment in the network, even as an Economy and Infrastructure Committee report from early June 2026 criticises the current pace of development.

The dual developments underscore Victoria’s commitment to its ambitious zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) targets, while acknowledging significant challenges in achieving a robust and accessible charging ecosystem for its growing EV fleet.

Recent Charging Network Developments and Regulatory Shift

On April 28, 2026, the Victorian Government allocated an additional AUD$688,500 in grant funding to the Destination Charging Across Victoria (DCAV) program. This latest injection will deliver 22 new charging stations, comprising 43 individual charge points, across 13 Victorian locations. This builds on the initial AUD$5.4 million investment that established 133 fast-charging stations at 114 high-use and tourist sites across regional and metropolitan Victoria.

This funding boost arrives amidst a broader strategic shift articulated in the Victorian Government’s EV Charging Regulatory Statement, released in April 2026. The statement signals a move away from direct subsidies towards regulatory reforms designed to remove barriers for private sector investment in charging infrastructure.

Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio stated that as EV adoption increases, Victoria’s public charging network must grow with it, with a focus on enabling a healthy private market. Key objectives include formally advocating for the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to mandate EV charging tariff trials by distribution businesses during the 2026-31 Electricity Distribution Price Review. The government has also committed to implementing its own regulatory reforms in 2026 if necessary, requiring distribution businesses to provide transparent low-voltage network capacity data to facilitate more efficient charging site selection.

“As EV adoption increases, Victoria’s public charging network must grow with it. We need EV chargers to be widely available through a healthy private market, and we need to identify and remove barriers to that.” – Lily D’Ambrosio, Victorian Minister for Climate Action

Parliamentary Inquiry Demands Faster Action

While the government highlights its efforts, a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into electricity supply for EVs, whose report was handed down around June 2, 2026, identified a significant weakness in the state’s charging infrastructure. The committee found that the current rollout is “not being installed quickly enough” and is restricting consumer confidence, leading to slower EV uptake rates.

The inquiry’s 40 recommendations include calls for contestable network connections and compelling electricity networks to provide fine-grained capacity data. It also noted the opportunities presented by vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) technologies, which allow EVs to feed electricity back to the network or power homes, supporting grid stability and potentially saving owners money. However, the report criticised the lack of targeted government programs to leverage these capabilities.

Comparatively, the inquiry noted that Victoria lacks a dedicated statewide EV charging strategy with clear public-charging coverage targets for urban and rural areas, unlike New South Wales.

Victoria’s ZEV Targets and Broader Context

Victoria’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap, initially launched in 2021, established a target for 50% of all new light vehicle sales to be ZEVs by 2030. The state also aims for its government fleet passenger vehicles to be 100% ZEV by 2025.

However, direct consumer incentives have been wound back. The AUD$3,000 ZEV subsidy for vehicles under AUD$68,740 closed on June 30, 2023. Furthermore, the AUD$100 annual registration discount for zero- and low-emission vehicles ceased on January 1, 2026. Victoria’s controversial road user charge for EVs was also ruled unconstitutional by the High Court in 2023, forcing its abolition.

Heavy Vehicle Electrification and Public Transport

Beyond light vehicles, Victoria is also progressing the decarbonisation of its heavier transport sectors. In March 2026, the government announced an AUD$8 million Freight Decarbonisation Co-Investment Program, offering grants of up to AUD$300,000 for small and medium freight businesses to invest in cleaner vehicles and infrastructure. This was complemented by a AUD$1.5 million Victorian Electric Heavy Vehicle Trial.

Additionally, the Zero Emission Bus Trial and Transition Plan saw an update on June 9, 2026. This plan outlines the pathway for transitioning Victoria’s public transport bus fleet to zero emissions, with a target for all new public transport bus purchases from July 1, 2025, to be zero emission.

Outlook for Victorian EV Drivers

While Victoria has removed direct purchase incentives, its strategic focus is shifting towards enabling infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. The recent data on charging expansion, combined with the parliamentary inquiry’s strong recommendations, indicates a critical juncture for the state’s EV transition. Future success will hinge on the government’s ability to swiftly implement regulatory reforms and encourage significant private sector investment to meet the ambitious 2030 ZEV sales target. For those considering the switch, understanding the evolving charging landscape and potential future energy plans remains crucial. From Petrol to Plug: The Ultimate First-Time Buyer’s Guide to Switching to an EV in Australia 2026

Victorian EV owners can monitor the expansion of the public charging network using tools like PlugShare, and consider optimising their charging costs through smart electricity plans. Best Public EV Charging Networks in Australia 2026: Costs, Reliability & How to Plan Your Trips Slash EV Charging Costs by Up To $800/Year: Best Electricity Plans in Australia 2026