Australian-first plan to install safer, more reliable EV charging on power poles

Leading electricity distributors CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy are planning to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers on power poles, providing motorists with better access to convenient, reliable and affordable charging infrastructure as part of an Australian-first trial.

Under the proposal, the distributors will collaborate to install, own and maintain 100 22kW chargers on power poles across Melbourne’s inner and south-eastern suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula and western Victoria. The chargers will be leased to third parties to operate.

CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy are now asking the Australian Energy Regulator to approve a trial waiver to allow the business to own, install and maintain EV infrastructure on a regulated asset, such as a power pole.
Head of New Energy Services, Dan Bye, said the trial would provide major benefits to drivers and support Victoria’s ambitious EV targets.

READ OUR APPLICATION HERE:

• CPPCUE Ringfencing Waiver Application

“This is a game changer for Victorian drivers,” Mr Bye said.

“We’ll roll out cost-effective EV charging infrastructure that will be maintained by our expert field teams.
“We want to provide Victorian motorists confidence they can safely charge their EVs when and where they want by installing more chargers in local streets.”

CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy have identified an initial 80 trial locations where EV uptake is high or there is limited charging infrastructure. Community consultation will help determine the remaining 20 locations.
The 22kW single and dual port chargers will be installed one metre above the ground on a power pole.

“We will work closely with local councils, communities and the Victorian Government to identify the best and easily accessible locations, close to major roadways and public facilities,” Mr Bye said.

CitiPower and Powercor operate and maintain more than 602,000 power poles while United Energy has another 203,000 poles.

“By using our existing pole network, we can reduce rollout costs and speed up the installation of EV charging points,” Mr Bye said.

“As an essential service, we already have teams and assets in place to install and maintain a reliable, safe fleet of chargers for drivers.”

If the AER approves the waiver application, the trial will begin in the first half of 2025.

Proposed trial locations