Sydney's Kerbside EV Chargers See 27,000 Uses in 6 Months

Charging an electric car without a driveway used to feel impossible, but three Sydney councils just proved it's not only doable but wildly popular.

Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Councils installed 94 kerbside charging stations that look like small boxes attached to power poles and streetlights. Between September 2025 and February 2026, drivers plugged in 27,000 times. That's real proof that apartment dwellers and renters can go electric too.

The timing couldn't be better. Electric vehicle sales in Australia jumped 40 to 50 percent in March 2025, with EVs making up 14 percent of new car purchases. But there's a catch. In Sydney's eastern suburbs, 60 percent of people live in apartments or townhouses, and half of all residents rent. Without access to home charging, many feel stuck.

The council research revealed something surprising. Most people charged during the day and evening, not overnight as expected. Daytime charging is actually perfect because it taps into abundant solar power when it's cheapest. Evening charging poses more challenges since that's when the power grid already faces peak demand.

The data showed another clear winner. Faster DC chargers that power up a car in two hours got used four times more often than slower chargers that take six hours. Each fast charger delivered five times more energy per day, making them both space efficient and economical despite costing more upfront.

Location matters enormously. Chargers near apartments and shops saw the heaviest use, especially when clear signs prevented non charging EVs from hogging the spots. The councils have already responded by installing more fast chargers and upgrading existing sites based on what drivers actually want.

The Ripple Effect

The federal government noticed. Last year, they announced $40 million in grants to accelerate kerbside charging networks across Australia. With 60 percent of Sydney eastern suburbs residents living in apartments, that translates to potentially millions of Australians nationwide who could finally make the electric switch.

The success in Sydney is creating a blueprint other cities can follow. Kerbside chargers cost less than ultra fast highway stations because they put less stress on the power grid. They also build confidence for all EV drivers by expanding the network. If one charger is busy, another is always nearby.

For apartment renters and townhouse owners, this changes everything. They no longer need to rely exclusively on expensive fast chargers or hope their workplace has charging stations. They can park on their street, plug in while they shop or sleep, and wake up ready to drive.

The best part? People are actually using them, and demand keeps growing.