A plan to accelerate the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Australia has been criticised by a leading charging provider, which described the proposal as anti-competitive.

Chris Mills, Chief Executive of Evie Networks, stated on 13th January, 2025 that energy distributors had sought "special rules" from governments to facilitate the rapid installation of hundreds of EV chargers.

He argued that such measures would create unfair advantages for energy distributors within the industry.

Mills' comments followed the release of a report by Energy Networks Australia, which proposed allowing energy network providers to install EV chargers on power poles. According to the report, this approach could enable the deployment of up to 40 chargers per week if approved by legislation.

Ausgrid supported the proposal, suggesting it could address increasing consumer demand for EV charging infrastructure.

Mills criticised the plan, stating that it would grant energy networks exemptions from costs typically incurred by other charging operators.

He emphasised, "If they want to install chargers on poles, they should follow the same rules and rely on the same support as other providers." He expressed concern that creating "special rules" would harm the industry's competitiveness.

Mills highlighted that other charging providers face various costs, including application fees for energy connections, capacity upgrades when necessary, and higher energy access fees.

He also warned that the proposed approach could result in consumers bearing the financial burden of the chargers, regardless of their usage.

The Energy Networks Australia report suggested that funding for pole-mounted chargers could come from annual charges of up to AUD 3.80 (approximately USD 2) on consumers' electricity bills, user fees, or government grants.

Ausgrid expressed support for the findings, with Chief Executive Marc England stating that the proposal could significantly speed up the development of EV charging infrastructure and promote greater EV adoption.

England added, "By proactively addressing the need for EV charging infrastructure, we can support EV adoption, particularly for individuals who lack access to off-street parking."

Data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council indicated that Australians purchased over 91,000 new electric vehicles in 2024, compared to more than 87,000 in 2023.