Tasmania to fund 50 new EV charging points at tourism hotspots

The Australian island state is offering AU$250,000 in grants to help tourism businesses install EV charging points at 24 destinations across the region. This will primarily target overnight AC charging.

Image: Rebecca Lintz

The first round of the state-run scheme (the “Electric Vehicle Destination Charging Grant Program”) has allocated AU$125,000 to tourism businesses, with grants of up to AU$2,500 per charger at a maximum of four chargers per business. The scheme aims to support small- and medium-sized tourism operators install destination chargers for overnight guests.

The funding is targeted at improving charging access at accommodation sites, in order to complement public charging infrastructure across the state. The focus is on slower AC units suited to locations where vehicles remain parked for several hours, rather than rapid DC chargers used for shorter stops.

Applications for the first round of funding ended on 31 August. Among the first round recipients of grant are Bay of Fires Bush Retreat in Binalong Bay, Low Head Tourist Park, Rosevears Hotel and Wilder Tasmania in Gowrie Park. A second round of funding, backed by a further AU$125,000, is due to be announced in early 2027.

Roger Jaensch, Tasmania’s Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, said: “The first round of the Electric Vehicle Destination Charging Grant Program has been incredibly popular, showing Tasmania’s appetite to keep expanding our EV offerings. […] Tasmania’s compact geography and excellent roads make it ideal for EV roads trips. This new infrastructure will allow overnight guests to plan for a rest and recharge each day before heading out on their next adventure.”

Previously, Tasmania has supported the rollout of public fast-charging infrsatructure through its ChargeSmart grants. In 2025, the state awarded AU$567,000 to 12 projects installing or upgrading public EV fast chargers, helping address gaps in charging access in towns and along key routes. In 2021, electrive also reported on the opening of the Electric Highway Tasmania, which included twelve 50 kW charging points and two ultra-rapid charging sites at launch.