Maitland City Council has switched on a new round of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, boosting local infrastructure and supporting the growing number of EV drivers in the region.
Ten car spaces across four key Council-owned sites – Thornton Library, Gillieston Heights Community Hub, The Levee’s Riverside car park, and Maitland Town Hall, are now equipped with 22kW charging stations, funded through the NSW Government’s Drive Electric NSW EV Destination Charging Grants program.
The $101,000 project was delivered through a combination of $60,600 in state funding and $40,400 in Council contributions, operating on a user-pays, cost-recovery model.
Maitland Deputy Mayor Cr Bill Hackney said the rollout marks a major step forward in supporting both locals and travellers on EV journeys.
“EV uptake is accelerating across the country, and it’s important that Maitland keeps pace with that momentum,” Cr Hackney said.
“People often plan their trips around charging points, and we’ve been intentional about placing chargers near businesses, attractions, and areas that were previously underserved, like Thornton and Gillieston Heights.”
The chargers offer between 7kW and 22kW AC output, typically adding about 100km of range for a two-hour charge. These new additions build on Council’s existing chargers at Harold Gregson Reserve, bringing the total number of Council-owned EV spaces in Maitland to 14.
Catherine Pepper, Maitland Council’s Manager Environment and Sustainability, said the rollout aligns with the city’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2030.
“This is about making sustainable transport more accessible and convenient for residents and visitors alike,” she said.
“We’re actively working with industry partners and seeking grant opportunities to diversify Maitland’s EV infrastructure even further.”
Maitland was recently named on Destination NSW’s list of nine EV-friendly road trips, as part of the state’s ‘Recharge Here’ campaign, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a future-focused, sustainable destination.
Fast charging infrastructure is also expanding locally, with the NRMA installing 350kW fast chargers in Maitland’s CBD, supported by the Drive Electric Fast Charger program.
With both destination and fast chargers now available across the city, Maitland is positioning itself as a key stop on New South Wales’ EV travel map.
IMAGE | Deputy Mayor Cr Bill Hackney using the new EV charger at the Gillieston Heights Community Hub
