FAQs

Find out more about the Charge Up program
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Through initiatives like the Charge Up Workplace Grants, we’re aiming to make it easier and more cost effective for small to medium enterprises, not-for-profit organisations, and local government authorities to install EV charging equipment at the workplace.

Who is eligible?

  • Not-for-profits registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission 
  • Local government authorities 
  • Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) 
    • Small businesses are defined as having less than 20 employees and medium businesses are defined as having between 20 and 199 employees 
    • This category includes a franchisee of a large business if the franchisee is a small or medium business 
    • Landowners 
  • Charge point operators 
    • SMEs that wish to install the charger(s) at a site as a charge point operator are eligible for funding if installation of the charger(s) would not be commercially viable without grant funding, and a substantial proportion of site occupants are eligible organisations with access to the charger(s) 

The following organisations are ineligible: 

  • Large businesses with an annual aggregate turnover in excess of $250 million 
  • Strata management companies 
    • A strata management company may support an application made by a strata company 
  • State and Federal Government entities 
  • Home based businesses 
  • Political organisations and unions 
  • Organisations seeking grant funding on behalf of another organisation 

What costs are covered by the grant?

In Round Two, grants will fund: 

  1. 50% of the purchase cost of Level 2 (7 to 22kW) or Level 3 (25 to 350kW) EV chargers allowing for up to 8 ports per site 

  • This means that up to 4 dual port chargers or up to 8 single port chargers per site are eligible for co-funding 

  • Chargers must be selected from the approved list 

  • Only one site can be entered per application, however an applicant may apply for up to five sites with an individual application for each site 

  1. 50% of installation costs 

  • For chargers smaller than 150kW there is a funding cap of $5,000 per site in the Greater Perth area and $10,000 for regional and remote areas (funding caps are GST exclusive) 

  • For chargers that are 150kW or greater there is a funding cap of $10,000 per site in the Greater Perth area and $20,000 for regional and remote areas (funding caps are GST exclusive) 

  • The Greater Perth area is as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Regional and remote areas are defined as all parts of the state that are not in the Greater Perth area. 

  • For public chargers, installation costs also include the cost of a two-year maintainenance agreement that is mandatory to receive funding for this use of chargers.  

  1. 50% of electricity network costs associated with the charger installation 

  • A funding cap of up to $150,000 per site applies for Western Power network costs. 

  • A funding cap of up to $150,000 per site applies for Horizon Power network costs. 

  1. 50% of the cost of smart charging software for a period of two years: 

  • Software must be selected from the approved list,  and be provided by an approved supplier. It is important you select your software before selecting a smart charger as some chargers may not be compatible with the software you choose. 

  • Software is mandatory to receive grant funding. 

What elements will not be funded?

The following types of expenses are ineligible for funding support: 

  • Grant application costs 

  • Feasibility studies, business case development or council approval costs (if required) 

  • Chargers that have already been purchased and/or installed 

  • Chargers not listed on the approved EV charger list 

  • Software subscriptions not listed on the approved EV charger software list 

  • Additional charger cables (EV drivers typically carry their own) 

  • Ongoing costs to operate charger(s) 

  • Internet costs 

  • Electricity supply costs 

  • Salaries or staffing expenses 

  • Promotion or marketing costs (including signage) 

  • Optional costs such as bay painting, installing bollards and adding cable holders 

  • Equipment installed for future EV charging infrastructure 

What kinds of projects will be considered?

A wide range of projects will be considered so long as eligibility requirements are met. Sample projects include: 

  • Destination charging: Charging at destinations that people typically spend a few hours at during the day. For example, tourist or cultural attractions, cafés, wineries, beaches, swimming pools, parks, or other outdoor leisure activity facilities. 

  • Car parks: Car parks of eligible organisations for employees and visitors to charge their EVs. 

  • Fleet vehicles: Chargers which are intended to support the conversion of fleets to EVs.  

  • Public Charging: Chargers that are open to the public at large, usually providing DC fast charging. Users pay to charge their vehicle.

What time of day should the chargers be used?

The Grants Program encourages EV charging during the day and overnight, as opposed to during the evening peak period of 5pm to 9pm. This not only makes great use of the abundant solar energy flowing through the electricity grid during the day, but reduces the extent of potentially costly grid upgrades that could be required as more people make the switch to EVs.  

Why are the grants prioritised to daytime and overnight charging?

The time of day people charge their EVs can have a range of impacts. For example, if drivers can predominantly charge EVs during the daytime, they use more renewable energy, can help avoid expensive electricity upgrades and help keep the grid stable. Charging EVs overnight is the next best option, as it can still help avoid costly upgrades, although the proportion of renewable energy used is less.

Charging during peak demand periods (5pm to 9pm) is least preferable, as it puts more strain on the network, as well as missing out on the high volumes of solar generation

For more read the guidelines and the Benefits of daytime charging.

I am a business with a shared carpark. Can I get a grant for an EV charger in the shared carpark?

Yes. You should apply for the grant in the ordinary way and ensure that you have the landowner’s consent to install EV charger(s) in the shared carpark. Note that approval of your application will require that a substantial proportion of site occupants are eligible organisations with access to the charger(s) 

Are there any exceptions to the eligibility criteria?

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, but believe that you have a strong case for a successful application, please contact the Charge Up Grants project team at chargeup@dmirs.wa.gov.au 

What are Level 2 and Level 3 EV chargers and what is their capacity?

Level 2 chargers (also known as AC fast chargers) have a charging capacity of 7 to 22kW AC. They can fully charge an EV in around four to eight hours, depending on the size of the battery in the EV and its on-board charger capacity. 

Level 3 chargers (also known as DC ultra-fast chargers) have a charging capacity of 25 to 350kW DC. They can fully charge an EV 15 minutes to four hours, depending on the size of the EV’s battery and its on-board charger capacity. 

Where do I submit my application and how long is the grant round open?

Applications must be submitted via the online application portal. Ensure you read the Applicant Guide, and Grant Guidelines before submitting your application. 

Applications can be made from 4 November 2023 and until the application deadline of 3 May 2024.

How do I get quotes for an EV charger and software?

All quotes must be provided by a party that is fully independent of the grant applicant.

You can approach an EV charger/software supply business or electrical contractor for a quote. As per the approved list, some software supply businesses provide turn-key services meaning that they can supply you with software, the charger(s) and manage the installation. 

Applicants should conduct their own research and obtain several quotes from qualified and experienced professionals. Only EV charging hardware and software from the grant program approved list can be used. In the case of software, suppliers have indicated pricing. 

Your quote(s) should include costs for the EV charger hardware, the two-year software subscription per charger (or per charge port) and the installation works (including network upgrades or a maintenance agreement as appropriate). You will need to ensure all components of the quote are itemised. Please follow the template of the commercial quote requirements, found on the application checklist page, to ensure your quote contains all the required information. 

Why is software mandatory?

Using EV charging software is necessary to ensure charging mostly occurs at times of day outside the evening peak of 5pm to 9pm. Without software, you are unlikely to have adequate visibility or control over when the EV chargers are used. The software installed will also play an important role in data capture, which will allow the impact of the grant program to be assessed. 

While software is mandatory for these reasons, it can also offer the user a range of other benefits including. 

  • Managing billing (if you would like users of your EV charger to pay, you need software). 

  • Understanding when and how EV chargers are being used. 

  • Managing energy use and charger performance. 

  • Detecting maintenance issues. 

  • Enabling EV drivers to discover charger locations, availability and costs. 

Will an EV charger increase my electricity bill?

Installing an EV charger has the potential to substantially increase your electricity usage, and by extension, your electricity bill. Additionally, in some cases EV chargers may increase your site’s maximum electricity demand in a way which increases your electricity tariff and, subsequently, the amount you pay per unit of electricity. It is a good idea to ask your electricity retailer about any potential electricity bill increases associated with an EV charger before making a grant application. 

When will I know if my application has been successful?

You will be notified of the outcome of your application via email within 20 business days of submission

If you’re successful, you will receive a notification email. The email will include the approved site(s), the co-funding amount and details of the documentation you will need to submit following installation to receive your grant funds. 

How can I get help if I am having issues with my grant application form?

If you are having an issue with the SmartyGrants portal, please visit the SmartyGrants Applicant Help Site. In the top right-hand corner, you will find an Applicant Help Guide and Applicant FAQs, along with SmartyGrants service contact details. 

If you are having an issue with the contents of the grant application, please contact the Charge Up Grants Project Team on 08 6551 4611 or chargeup@dmirs.wa.gov.au 

 

How do I edit my application once it has been submitted?

Once your application has been submitted, you will need to contact I Charge Up Grants Project Team if you need to make any edits providing the reason/s for the changes. The team will then provide you with a second application, prefilled with the previous answers.  

You will then be able to login to your SmartyGrants account and make edits, ensuring everything is correct before pressing the submit button. 

When will I receive the grant funds if I am successful?

You will receive grant funds after installation of the chargers. Once the installation is complete you will provide evidence of this via the application portal including a paid invoice(s) from licenced contractor, photograph of the installed charger in situ, photograph of the serial number for each charger installed and the paid invoice from the software provider. 

Payment will then be made by direct bank transfer. We will endeavour to ensure that the approved funds are transferred to you within 20 business days after receipt of the required documentation. 

If I am approved for a grant and then decide I don’t want the chargers, can I opt out?

Yes. You will need to advise the Charge Up Grants project team by email to chargeup@dmirs.wa.gov.au that you do not intend to proceed with installation of the EV chargers. This will enable your grant funding to be reallocated to another applicant. 

Single and dual port chargers are available on the approved EV charger list. Can I install four dual port chargers that will service up to eight EVs at the same time?

Yes, if you select four dual port chargers under the grants, you could service up to eight electric vehicles at the same time. A dual port charger is considered to be one charger under the grant assessment process. 

Once installed, who will be able to use the chargers, and will they need to pay to use the chargers?

This is up to the applicant. If you’re approved for a grant, you will be able to decide who can use the charger(s). It could be for use only by your employees or you could open it up for public use. You will also be able to decide the basis for use of the charges – for example, if they will be free, paid or offered as an employee benefit. 

You can choose to recoup small electricity costs through cloud-based billing (this is enabled by select EV software) or other methods, such as existing service fees that visitors are already paying. 

After chargers have been installed, what obligations do successful applicants have with regard to EV charger data?

Successful applicants will be required to provide data from all EV chargers co-funded by the program to DMIRS upon request for a period of two years commencing on the date the charger(s) are installed: 

- The data to be provided includes, but is not limited to, the quantity of electricity used by the EV charger(s) and the time the electricity is used 

- Data is expected to be obtained through the software providers 

As part of the application process, applicants are required to agree to: 

  • Comply with any reasonable request from DMIRS for information about the applicant’s approved EV installation project (for example responding to surveys about EV uptake and use, and how the EV charger(s) are being used). 

  • DMIRS using the data to review program outcomes and inform future policy development. 

  • DMIRS using the data to conduct audits of the use of EV charger(s) co-funded by the program to determine whether usage is consistent with the time periods specified in the grant application. 

  • DMIRS providing data to Western Power and/or the Australian Energy Market Operator for the purpose of registering EV charger(s) co-funded by the program on the DER Register. 

For more read the Terms and Conditions in the guidelines

 

What happens if the chargers are used incorrectly (for example, frequent use of the EV chargers during the peak time of 5pm to 9pm)?

If the EV chargers are used in a manner that is inconsistent with the grant application, grant money may be requested to be repaid. 

How long can a project take?

AC charger installations can usually be completed in a relatively short timeframe (e.g. several weeks) as all companies with AC chargers on the approved list have committed to making them available within three months and most installations are reasonably straight-forward.  

DC charger installations can take a lot longer (over one year in some cases) primarily due to longer equipment delivery times and network upgrade works.  

  • Some DC chargers will be available within three months, but others can take up to nine months to be available after orders have been made.  

  • If the network operator needs upgrade your site, this will also take time. 

My public charger will need to be available at all times during the day. How can I best manage peak use of the charger?

Different options for managing peak charging are appropriate for different use cases. 

Public chargers: If your charger(s) are going to be available to visitors and/or the general public, you should ideally make the charger(s) available at all times and make the price for charging during peak times more expensive that at other times. This type of billing arrangement can be implemented using any of the software programs on the Charge Up Approved List. You should not implement trickle charging or turn chargers off from 5pm to 9pm if the charger(s) are available to visitors and/or the general public. 

Fleet/employee vehicle chargers: Fleet/employee vehicle charging should not occur during the evening peak period of 5pm to 9pm unless it is necessary as a business/operational requirement. Vehicles should be charged during the day or overnight. 

The Charge Up Grants Program encourages EV charging during the day and overnight as opposed to during the evening peak period of 5pm to 9pm. This not only makes great use of the abundant solar energy flowing through the electricity grid, but reduces the extent of potentially costly grid upgrades that could be required as more people make the switch to EVs. 

These are general rules only. Exceptions apply where needed to satisfy business/operational requirements or where appropriate alternative arrangements are proposed by the applicant. 

How do I know what type of charger is suitable for my organisation?

If the charger will predominantly be used by employees, visitors or fleet vehicles of the organisation where the vehicle is stationary a large part of the day, an AC charger may be the most suitable.  

If the charger will predominantly be used by fleet vehicles with high use during operating hours, or members of the public seeking a quick charge, a faster DC charger may be more suitable.  

What happens if my DC charger installation requires a network upgrade?

A network upgrade increases the power supply to a site. This can allow a new piece of equipment, such as a DC charger, to operate.  

The electrician or EV charging installation company that prepares your project quote/s should know if the power supply needs to increase in order for you to complete your project. They should make contact with the network operator (Western Power or Horizon Power) and follow the regular process for this enquiry mentioning the Charge Up Grants Program. 

The network operator will engage an engineer to determine the scope of works and costs. A quote to complete the upgrade will be provided to your (via your contractor) and should be submitted with your application. The Charge Up team is working with the network operators to expedite the time it takes for them to provide you with a quote. 

How long will I have to install the EV chargers after my application is approved?

You will have a maximum of 180 days to install an AC charger(s) after being approved. DC chargers will need to be installed within 18 months of approval.