Electric vehicle charging
Electric vehicle (EV) ownership is growing quickly as the cost to purchase an EV goes down and the range of EVs goes up. About one of every 50 registered vehicles in Hobart is now an EV, twice the amount it was the year prior.
Officers are currently working on an EV charging policy to define how the City of Hobart can have a role in enabling the EV transition while protecting our public realm. Developing this policy also helps us meet commitments made in our Transport Strategy and the Climate Ready Hobart Strategy.
Surveys of TasNetworks customers shows that most owners of EVs want to charge their vehicles at home. Most residents have access to off-street parking and can install their own EV chargers. However, we understand that some residents do not have this access and cannot use home electricity to charge their vehicle most cost-effectively.
While the policy is being developed, you can use the following information as a guide to safely charge your EV.
Install your own charger
The Tasmanian Government's Energy Saver Loan Scheme is currently offering 0 per cent interest loans for homeowners, small businesses community organisations and landlords to install EV chargers.
Solar panels and battery storage are also eligible under the scheme, and when combined with an EV charger it can increase cost-effectiveness.
If you're a small business, school or community organisation, this can be a great way to offer charging for your employees, customers and/or members of the public. If you operate an apartment building, there are options like InCharge who are starting to tackle the challenge of managing shared EV charging and payment for tenants.
Arrange a shared charger
EV chargers can be shared with a friend or neighbour.
Through the crowd-sourced resource PlugShare, community members can choose to share the location of their home charger, potentially connecting neighbours without home-charging set up with one who does.
Use public chargers
There are approximately 24 public EV charging stations in Hobart, with dozens more in the Greater Hobart area.
You can find detailed information on EV charging stations using tools such as PlugShare.
City of Hobart operated public EV chargers
The City of Hobart has installed eight electric vehicle charging stations in City car parks.
Argyle Street Car Park
Where: 38 Argyle Street, Hobart
There are two 22kW electric vehicle charging stations in Argyle Street Car Park. These are located on Levels 1 and 2, next to the entry lift and stairwell.
Centrepoint Car Park
Where: 35 Victoria Street, Hobart
There is a 7.4kW electric vehicle charging station in Centrepoint Car Park. This is located on Level 1, in the space on the left after you enter.
Hobart Central Car Park
Where: 60 Melville Street, Hobart
There are two 7.4kW electric vehicle charging stations in the Hobart Central Car Park. These are located in the first spaces on the right after you enter.
Dunn Place Car Park
Where: 3 Davey Street, Hobart
The electric vehicle fast charging station in Dunn Place Car Park is currently out of order.
Lefroy Street Car Park
Where: 16A Lefroy Street, North Hobart
There are two 7.4kW electric vehicle charging stations in the Lefroy Street Car Park.