According to the Sydney Morning Herald, more than 3,000 electric vehicle charging piles will be installed in the Australian state of New South Wales to boost tourism in remote areas of the state. It is understood the state government will provide regional councils with a $20 million grant scheme to install electric vehicle charging points near motels, wineries, nature attractions and museums.

Sales of electric vehicles in Australia have tripled in the past year, although they still only account for about 2 per cent of new car purchases, according to a March Electric Vehicle Council report. NSW Treasurer Matt Keane said the funding package would help build the nation's largest destination charging network. "The growing popularity of electric vehicles will help ensure our region has the charging stations needed to welcome EV tourists."

A $500 million electric vehicle transition plan was announced in NSW's state budget last year - and it is estimated that up to 3500 chargers will be introduced as part of the latest plan. NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said several "electric vehicle tourism promotion schemes will be developed after the charging infrastructure is in place to boost the local economy and support areas affected by Covid-19, bushfires and flooding" of small businesses.

The NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy aims to increase EV sales to 52 per cent of all new vehicle sales by 2030-31. Under the plan, electric car drivers will pay a road use tax over five years to fund road and infrastructure spending as fuel excise taxes fall. In addition, stamp duty has been abolished for electric vehicles priced below $78,000 under the NSW government's electric vehicle strategy.