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Grants to support the Australian automotive sector as it transitions to selling and repairing more Electric Vehicles (EVs).
DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream
Opening date: Wednesday 22 January 2025 10:00am AEDT Wed 22 Jan 2025 10:00am AEDT
Closing date: Sunday 30 April 2028 5:00pm AEST Sun 30 Apr 2028 5:00pm AEST
What do you get?
Up to $2,500 per eligible smart EV charger that has been purchased and installed on your site. Multiple EV chargers can be installed on your site and included in your claim. The maximum rebate amount for multiple chargers per eligible site is up to $20,000.
Who is this for?
Electric Vehicle dealerships and repairers throughout Australia.
About the program
The DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream grant opportunity will provide $40 million for EV chargers to car dealerships and repairers.
The objective of the grant opportunity is to provide co-funding for dealerships and repairers to install EV chargers.
The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are to:
- increase in the number of EV charging stations throughout the country including remote and regional areas
- increase the number of EVs on the roads.
This grant opportunity forms part of the DRIVEN Program.
The DRIVEN program will run over 4 years from 2024-25 to 2027-28. The program was announced as part of the Driving the Nation Fund.
The Australian Government will provide $60 million to co-fund the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at Australian automotive dealerships and repairers across the country, including regional and remote areas.
The objectives of the program are to support automotive businesses selling passenger and light commercial vehicles and their role in decarbonising the transport sector through:
- selling and repairing a higher proportion of EVs in response to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Act 2024 (Cth), and
- increasing awareness and knowledge of EVs and EV charging technologies for staff and customers.
Additionally, the objective is to support the automotive sector by:
- distributing appropriate funding to as many eligible businesses as possible, and
- supporting the timely deployment of charging solutions to meet the immediate needs of the sector.
The intended outcomes of the program are:
- a supported Australian automotive sector as it transitions to selling and repairing more EVs
- increased uptake of EVs, including regional and remote areas by providing more EV charging stations
- reduced transport emissions to assist in achieving Australia’s economy-wide net zero emissions target by 2050.
Learn more about the policy that supports the DRIVEN Program.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are a set of rules that describe who we can consider for this grant. You can apply if you:
- are an eligible entity
- have an eligible project
- have eligible expenditure.
The rules are in the grant opportunity guidelines.
You can apply if you:
- have an Australian business number (ABN)
- have an account with an Australian financial institution
- are an entity, incorporated in Australia.
You must also be one of the following:
- a licenced motor dealer/trader
- a service centre associated with a licenced motor dealer/trader
- an automotive repair business, compliant with Australian Standards 5732:202 2 (EV operations – maintenance and repair) and which has at least one current member of staff suitable qualified to undertake work on EVs.
You can’t apply if you are:
- any organisation not included in eligible entities listed above
- a business operating out of a residential premises
- an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s list of Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme.
To be eligible for a rebate, you must have purchased and installed at least one eligible smart EV charger(s) at an eligible site (listed in section 4.2 of the grant opportunity Guidelines) on or after 26 March 2024.
Eligible smart EV chargers include:
- AC plugs with 7 kW charging speed (single phase)
- AC plugs with 11-22 kW charging speed
- DC plugs with 50 kW or less charging speed.
To be considered eligible, your project must have a minimum expenditure of $2,000.
You will only be reimbursed up to the value of your incurred eligible expenditure.
You may apply for any combination of plugs under the one application. The maximum rebate amount per eligible dealership or repairer site is $20,000.
How to apply
Check if you’re ready to apply for a grant
Finding a suitable grant opportunity is just the start of the process to get funding. The application process can take time and effort. Understanding the entire process will help you be grant ready and may improve your chances of getting funding.
Use our checklist to find out what it takes to apply for a grant.
When you're ready to apply
Apply using our online portal:
- Create or log into your portal account.
- Follow the instructions to complete your application.
- Submit your application before the close date.
Make sure you include enough detail and supporting evidence in your application to help us decide whether to award you the grant.
Don’t submit the application until it’s complete. You can’t correct a mistake.
Your application will be considered through a demand driven grant (rebate) process. Applications will be reviewed in order of receipt until available funding is exhausted.
If we identify unintentional errors or failure to provide mandatory attachments in your application, we will not contact you to correct or clarify the information.
We will review your application against the eligibility criteria listed in section 4.1 and 4.2 of the grant opportunity guidelines.
The Program Delegate decides which grants (rebate) to approve taking into account eligibility and the availability of grant funds.
The Program Delegate’s decision is final in all matters, including:
- the grant approval (confirming your eligibility for the rebate)
- the grant funding to be awarded (eligible rebate amount)
- any conditions to the offer of grant funding (rebate).
Further guidance
Do I need to have purchased the EV charging equipment on or after 26 March 2024?
Yes.
Are used car dealers eligible?
Yes, as long as they meet all of the following:
- have an Australian Business Number
- have an account with an Australian financial institution
- are an entity incorporated in Australia
- are a licenced motor vehicle trader/dealer; or a service centre associated with a licenced motor dealer/trader; or an automotive repair business compliant with Australian Standard 5732:202 2 with at least one current member of staff suitably qualified to undertake work on EVs, and
- can meet all of the additional eligibility requirements as per section 4.2 of the grant opportunity guidelines.
Do I have to put stickers on the EV charger or signage on the site recognising having received government funding if I receive a rebate?
No, there are no signage requirements.
Do I have to be currently selling/servicing/repairing EVs to be eligible?
No, you only need to meet the eligibility requirements in section 4 of the grant opportunity guidelines.
Will I be contacted if there is a problem with my application?
No. If there is a problem with your application you will be advised that your application has been unsuccessful. Applicants are encouraged to carefully read the grant opportunity guidelines before applying or reapplying for a rebate.
Is there a list of eligible charger equipment?
No, you only need to meet the requirements in section 5.1 of the grant opportunity guidelines.
Does the rebate attract GST?
No, we do not consider the rebate payment under this program to be a ‘supply’ meaning there is no ‘taxable supply’ and GST is not payable on the rebate. This is the case regardless of whether you are registered for GST or not.
Do the EV chargers have to be installed on the eligible site?
Yes.
Is there a limit to the number of plugs/chargers I can apply for?
The rebate is capped at $20,000 per eligible site. You can apply to receive this rebate for any number of plugs, up to the cap. However, you can only receive a rebate under the program once at each eligible site (i.e. one application per site).
If I operate showrooms for multiple automotive manufacturers on the one eligible site, what size rebate am I eligible to receive?
You are eligible to receive up to $20,000 for each of the automotive manufacturers you sell from the eligible site (i.e. for each of the franchise agreements that apply to your showroom) and a separate application will need to be made for each.
Does the site cap of $20,000 still apply if I operate both a dealership rooftop and service centre workshop on the eligible site?
No, a site containing both a dealership rooftop and a service centre workshop site is eligible for $20,000 per business operation (making a site cap of $40,000). However, you will need to apply for each separately.
Are there rules on where we can put EV chargers on the eligible site?
No, there are no limitations on where the chargers can be placed within the eligible site. However, it is important to note that EV chargers installed outside of the eligible business site are not eligible to receive a rebate.
Do we need to make the chargers public to receive the rebate?
No, chargers may be for private and/or public use.
If I operate multiple eligible sites, can I apply for them all on the one application?
No, only one site can be applied for per application.
Can I make more than one application for a rebate for the same eligible site to reach the site cap of $20,000?
No, you are only able to make one successful application for a rebate per eligible site, unless its showroom site operates under multiple franchisee agreements or there is both a showroom and service centre located on the site.
Do I need to provide evidence of my costs associated with installing the EV chargers?
Yes, you need to provide evidence of direct costs involved with purchasing and installing an eligible EV smart charger(s). Purchase and installation must be on or after 26 March 2024. Refer to section 6.1 of the grant opportunity guidelines.
Do I need to sell or service passenger vehicles to be eligible?
Yes, the program is targeted to support dealerships and EV repairers of passenger and light commercial vehicles.
Does the DRIVEN Program have anything to do with The DRIVEN website?
No.
I operate under a dealer agreement with a vehicle manufacturer, do I apply for a rebate for my dealership or can they?
Only dealers are eligible to apply for a rebate.
How do I prove I am qualified to repair EVs?
An EV repairer proves they are qualified to work on EVs by providing evidence of completion of a relevant course, including but not limited to:
- AURETH101 (Depower and Reinitialise Battery Electric Vehicles)
- AUR32721 Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology
- AURSS00063 - Battery Electric Vehicle Diagnose and Repair Skill Set
- AURSS00064 - Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set
- on the job training provided by or on behalf of a vehicle manufacturer.
Contact
Need help?
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