Electricity retailers hope to play their part in removing barriers to electric vehicle (EV) ownership, as soaring global petrol prices give the vehicles new impetus.
Electricity distributor Powercor is rolling out pole-mounted EV chargers across Victoria in a move aimed at improving access to public charging as EV adoption continues to rise.
Fuel prices in Australia, have already jumped 40 cents per litre since the war against Iran began last week with various estimates indicating they will continue to rise as the chaos continues in the crucial Straits of Hormuz.
While EVs normally cost more at purchase, the ABC has calculated that if petrol prices hit $2.50, it would reduce the time when EV begins costing less overall to within four years.
Based on an SUV travelling 15,000km a year, this would be only three years if fuel hits $2.90.
Powercor’s latest step into providing the infrastructure for EVs includes eight new EV chargers, already installed on power poles in Hawthorn and Kew.
The first stage of a broader trial that will see 100 chargers deployed across the CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy networks.
The networks span Melbourne’s inner and south-eastern suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula and large parts of regional Victoria.
The sites were selected in areas with high EV adoption but limited access to off-street parking, a common barrier for residents living in apartments or homes without private driveways.
Each charging port can deliver up to 22kW of power, with operations managed by e-mobility service providers that allow drivers to compare prices and choose a charging provider through a mobile app.
CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy Head of Customer Connections Dan Bye said expanding charging access is critical as more Australians consider switching to electric vehicles.
“People want to drive electric vehicles so it’s essential they have access to reliable and affordable charging,” Bye said.
The chargers can also adjust their electricity use depending on network conditions, allowing vehicles to draw more power when rooftop solar generation is high and slowing charging during periods of peak demand.
The rollout comes as EV sales continue to grow in Australia. EVs accounted for around 13 per cent of new car sales last year, highlighting the rapid shift underway in the automotive market.
Industry data shows electric vehicles accounted for around 9.7 per cent of new light vehicle sales in Australia during the September 2025 quarter, according to the Australian Automobile Association’s Electric Vehicle Index.
Despite the growth, EVs still represent only a small share of vehicles on Australian roads. Federal analysis has previously estimated around 180,000 electric vehicles in the national fleet, highlighting the scale of the transition still underway.
Cost remains one of the biggest barriers to wider adoption. Research suggests the average purchase price of an EV is still significantly higher than an equivalent internal combustion vehicle, while concerns about driving range and access to charging infrastructure also continue to influence consumer decisions.
By expanding kerbside charging using existing electricity infrastructure, the pole-mounted charger trial aims to make charging more accessible for urban residents and support the continued growth of EVs across Victoria.
