DRIVEN Charger Grant Stream

Purpose and Program Overview

The DRIVEN Charger Grant Stream is an Australian Government initiative designed to expand the national network of public fast electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The program directs funding toward the installation of new public fast-charging stations at automotive dealership and EV repairer premises, with the intent of increasing charger visibility and accessibility across metropolitan, regional, and journey-enabling areas of Australia.

A total funding pool of $20 million has been allocated under this stream. The program forms part of the broader DRIVEN (Dealership and Repairer Initiative for Vehicle Electrification Nationally) Program, which also includes a separate rebate stream for smaller-scale, non-public charging hardware.

Beyond infrastructure delivery, the grant supports the automotive sector’s transition toward electrification. It encourages partnerships between dealership groups, vehicle manufacturers, and Charge Point Operators (CPOs), while also incentivising the placement of chargers in regional locations where fast-charging access is currently limited.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: $1.00 up to $8,000,000 per application
• Total funding pool: $20 million (single round)
• Application period: Applications close strictly at 5:00 pm AEST on Friday, 28 August 2026
• Eligible industries or business types: Dealership groups, vehicle manufacturers, Charge Point Operators, and business or community groups forming a consortium or partnership
• Required co-contributions: Yes; co-funding rates vary by location (see Funding Scope below)
• Location/state or territory applicability: National, with funding tiers dependent on metropolitan, regional, or journey-enabled zoning under the government’s EVCI Mapping Tool

Priority Sectors

The program guidelines do not specify priority sectors beyond the automotive retail and servicing sector. Priority is instead given to project characteristics, particularly the installation of charging infrastructure in regional areas and at sites that support journey-enabled corridors.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts: Grants range from $1.00 to $8,000,000 per application
• Streams or categories: This is a single-round, single-stream grant (no separate feasibility or capital works categories)
  • Co-funding rates: Metropolitan zones: up to 50% of the eligible expenditure per charging station
  • Regional and journey-enablement areas: up to 80% of eligible expenditure per charging station
• Project timeline: Approved infrastructure projects must be fully completed by 31 March 2029

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must be an entity incorporated in Australia and hold an ABN.
• Applications must be submitted as part of a consortium or partnership arrangement.
• Charging infrastructure must be physically installed at a dealership or EV repairer premises, or on a directly adjacent or opposite site where the applicant holds appropriate rights.
• Applications must cover a minimum total of 25 charging bays across all proposed sites.
• Every charging bay must include at least one Combined Charging System (CCS) Type 2 plug.
• Projects must be capable of completion by 31 March 2029

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Purchase and installation of public fast EV charging units meeting the CCS Type 2 requirement
• On-site battery storage, which is installed specifically to support the public fast-charging infrastructure
• Civil works and electrical infrastructure are directly associated with charger installation.

Ineligible expenses: Solar panel arrays and other renewable energy generation equipment are strictly excluded from eligible expenditure under this stream.

Assessment Process

The DRIVEN Charger Grant Stream operates as a competitive, single-round grant process. While the full assessment criteria are detailed in the official program guidelines, applicants should expect evaluation to consider:

• Alignment with program objectives, including regional and journey-enablement coverage
• Project merit and technical compliance with minimum scale and plug-type requirements
• Value for money relative to the co-funding rate requested

Recent Program Updates

• The DRIVEN Charger Grant Stream is currently open for its sole funding round, with the portal closing on 28 August 2026
• A related program, the DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream, offers up to $3,000 per plug for smaller, private/non-public smart charging hardware and is expected to open its next round in the second half of 2026
• Dealerships and workshops interested in hosting a charger without applying directly can register their interest through the DCCEEW site’s host registration process

Application Tips

• Confirm site eligibility early, including confirmation that the proposed location qualifies as a dealership or EV repairer premises, or an eligible adjacent site
• Verify the applicable co-funding tier (metropolitan versus regional/journey-enablement) using the government’s EVCI Mapping Tool before budgeting the application
• Ensure the proposed project meets the minimum 25-bay threshold and that every bay includes a CCS Type 2 plug
• Prepare consortium or partnership documentation in advance, including agreements between dealership groups, manufacturers, or Charge Point Operators
• Exclude any renewable energy generation costs from the budget, as these are not eligible expenses
• Align the proposal with the program’s objective of expanding regional charging access where possible, as this may support co-funding at the higher rate

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the DRIVEN Charger Grant Stream and other associated Australian government websites.