About the Electric Vehicle Strategy and Action Plan

Our Role

We will use a place-based approach facilitate and guide the private sector, NSW Government and residents to install local EV charging infrastructure that meets our community needs and suits the character of local neighbourhoods.

We will regulate public places and ensure safe access, management and equitable use. Anyone seeking to install EV charging infrastructure on Council property (land, buildings or assets such as street furniture) must consult Council about the site suitability, parking, leasing/licensing requirements.

Outline of the Electric Vehicle Strategy and Action Plan

1: Executive Summary

2: Design principles

3: Market analysis

4: Current EV profile in City of Canada Bay

5: Desired charging network

6: Action Plan in three areas - Advocacy, Act and Research

Many major countries and global vehicle manufacturers have committed to switch to zero emission vehicles.

In 2021, nearly 10% of global car sales were electric. This annual figure is increasing exponentially. Transition to EVs has potential to dramatically cut the carbon emissions and local air pollution caused by petrol and diesel vehicles, especially if recharged with renewable electricity.

Filling up a car with electricity is much cheaper than increasingly costly petrol and diesel and reduces the international supply chain risks of imported liquid fuel. EV users could save up to $1,800 per annum on vehicle ownership costs by 2030, while saving 10c per kilometre on fuel/energy costs2, with further financial benefits of charging an EV completely off-grid with renewables.

Transition to EVs is an important action towards achieving Council’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets of net zero from Council operations by 2030 and from the community by 2050. Transition to EVs is also an action in Council’s Local Movement Strategy, Environment Strategy and Emissions Reduction Action Plan. In the City of Canada Bay, almost 800,000 tonnes of greenhouse gasses (CO2-e) are emitted each year of which one quarter are from transport. 65% of trips from the City of Canada Bay and 72% of trips to the City of Canada Bay involve a private vehicle or rideshare.

Our local road network is already congested along major corridors in peak periods and more car-based travel is not a desirable outcome. Council will encourage decarbonisation of the transport sector, based on the transport hierarchy which promotes the right mode for each trip purpose with people first, then bikes, then public transport, service vehicles, shared mobility (such as taxis and carshare) then finally private vehicles. As our city grows, we also need better infrastructure for walking, cycling and public transport to reduce congestion, reduces carbon emissions and pollution and makes our neighbourhoods healthier and more liveable. Planning places that serve local areas reduces the need to travel long distances.

Actions include:

  • Identification of priority locations for EV charging infrastructure.
  • Advocacy to State and Federal government and the private sector around funding, incentives, standards, tax and EV adoption.
  • Policies and controls to effectively regulate the provision of EV charging infrastructure on private and public land.
  • Managing and regulating the installation, operation, and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure on public land.
  • Consideration of and planning for Council’s fleet transition, with a Net Zero Fleet Transition Plan currently being developed.
  • Targets for EV uptake and the rollout of EV charging infrastructure – focused on Council operations.
  • Research and investigation to support the transition for key issues such as strata buildings, car share and residential properties without driveways.
    • City of Canada Bay desired place-based EV charging network

    City of Canada Bay desired place-based EV charging network, page 7 of the EV Strategy and Action Plan.