There are soon set to be more EV models on our roads than ever, as NSW welcomes almost 550 new chargers. Source: NSW government

Hundreds of new electric vehicle chargers are being rolled out across Australia's most populous state to cater to rising demand, as fresh data reveals that EVs continue to climb in popularity across the country.

In NSW, 549 new kerbside chargers are set to be rolled out across 130 suburbs (full list below), in what the state government said will "help slash household transport costs" and "accelerate our efforts to reach the legislated net zero emissions targets".

It comes as EV sales in Australia outpace the first half of last year, with the environmentally friendly vehicles representing 12 per cent of all new car sales, up from 9.6 per cent during the same period in 2024, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.

For the first time since entering the Australian market, Chinese brand BYD has surpassed long-time rival Tesla by a significant margin. In particular, BYD's Shark 6 plug-in hybrid electric ute was snapped up by almost 3,000 motorists last month, representing more than double its sales in May.

The boost lifted BYD to become Australia's fifth-best-selling vehicle brand during June, surpassing electric competitor Tesla, which ranked in tenth place.

BYD has surpassed long-time rival Tesla by a significant margin in sales. Source: AAP

Surge of new EV models headed to Australia

Australia does continue to trail behind other developed nations when it comes to EV adoption, including in places like Norway, where almost 90 per cent of new car sales are electric or hybrid. As well as in China, the world's largest EV market by volume, and the Netherlands and Sweden, where nearly 50 per cent of new car sales are electric or hybrid.

Yet in June 2025 alone, electric vehicles did account for almost 16 per cent of all new cars sold, a steadily rising figure.

The milestone comes as the nation prepares to welcome an avalanche of new models in the coming months.

More than 100 electric and hybrid vehicles were on display at the Melbourne EV Show last month, with organiser Future Drive Auto chief executive Ray Evans, extolling 2025 as a major tipping point for EVs in Australia.

"The changes are certainly happening fast," he told AAP.

"Before we had very limited products available — obviously Tesla and BYD and a few others — but that's escalated to a point where next year there are 70 new (electric) models going to be released in Australia."

A total of 549 new chargers will be rolled out across 130 LGAs in NSW. Source: NSW government

'Turning point' for Aussie drivers as penalties for new rules kick in

Industry experts say the packed recent event and others like it planned for this year demonstrate Australia's transport policies are having an impact and changing the future make-up of our roads. That impact is expected to accelerate after the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that sets emissions limits for manufacturers came into effect this year, with penalties now enforced from this month.

As a result, more electric cars are scheduled to launch, and some petrol and diesel vehicles may be removed from sale, although debate continues over whether motorists are ready for the changes.

For Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio, the arrival of penalties under the standard is "where the rubber hits the road" and consumers will be able to see what the rules deliver.

The standard, introduced in January, sets yearly emission limits for new vehicle fleets that manufacturers must meet or trade credits, or otherwise pay penalties, to be compliant.

Brands must register new vehicles with the government from July to begin tracking emission levels, to reach no more than 141 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre for passenger vehicles and 210 grams per km for light goods vehicles this year.

Having fines embedded into the scheme is important for enforcement, Ms Delvecchio said, even though brands are expected to avoid them by selling more advanced, low-emission transport options.

According to her, the start of July was "an important turning point for clean energy and clean transport in Australia," as the new standards got some teeth.

More electric vehicle chargers are set to be rolled out across NSW in the coming months. Source: Facebook.

Where will the new chargers be located in NSW?

The new chargers announced on Wednesday by the NSW government are slated to make charging easier, more accessible and convenient for drivers who don't have off-street parking, such as those who live in apartments and dense housing areas.

The state government is tipping in $2.8 million for the new chargers and partnering with Charge Post, Connected Kerb, EVX, Plus ES and EF Asset Management for the new devicces.

They will be installed across 22 Local Government Areas:

City Of Parramatta – 70
Inner West – 47
City of Sydney – 48
Bayside – 37
Northern Beaches – 66
Newcastle City – 48
Ryde City – 42
Ku-ring-gai – 25
Penrith City – 14
Hunter's Hill – 26
Strathfield – 24
Hornsby Shire – 22
The Hills Shire – 10
Cumberland – 9
Willoughby City – 18
Woollahra – 9
Wollongong City – 12
Randwick City – 7
Waverley– 7
Lane Cove – 2
Shellharbour – 4
Sutherland Shire – 2

with AAP

This article originally appeared on Yahoo News Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/major-street-charging-push-as-avalanche-of-ev-models-set-to-hit-australian-market-230626991.html