NSW Climate and Energy Action

EV fleets incentive FAQs

 

The information on this webpage supports the EV fleets incentive guidelines. The relevant funding option guidelines and webpage should be read before completing the application process.

Key resources:

Kick-start funding guidelines

Eligibility

Can I apply for both the kick-start funding option and the competitive bid option at the same time?

Yes, it is possible to apply for the kick-start funding option and the competitive bid option simultaneously. However, applicants cannot request an incentive for the same vehicle (i.e., same plate number or VIN) or charger under both funding options and a vehicle can only be incentivised once. Please note that there is a limit of 15 vehicles and charging ports across both funding options.

I have previously participated in the competitive bid option. Can I now apply for kick-start funding?

Yes, if you have previously received funding for fewer than 15 vehicles, you can apply for the kick-start funding option for the remaining vehicles up to a maximum of 15. 

Can I submit more than one application to the kick-start funding option at the same time?

No. Each application for the kick-start funding option must be completed (vehicles registered, smart chargers purchased and incentive payment received) before another application can be started. 

Is there any restriction on the size of my fleet?

Kick-start funding:

In order to access kick-start funding, you must have an active ABN and  

  • a fleet of at least 3 vehicles registered in NSW, or  
  • be a licensed taxi driver with at least one taxi in NSW, or
  • be a truck operator, with at least one truck registered in NSW.

Your existing fleet must not include any EVs you are applying to receive the incentive for. Your fleet must have been in operation for at least 6 months prior to your application, and the Department expects your organisation will continue operating a fleet of at least 3 vehicles for at least three to four years after your application. Audits may be conducted to confirm compliance.

I am a rideshare driver. Am I eligible?

You are eligible for kick-start funding if you have a fleet of at least 3 vehicles used for rideshare purposes or own at least one registered taxi. You are not eligible if you are a rideshare driver that operates only one vehicle. However, you can benefit from the EV fleets incentive competitive bid option by obtaining a BEV from an aggregator that does participate in the program.  

If successful in a previous round, can my organisation apply for future rounds to obtain the incentive on additional vehicles? 

Kick-start funding:

You can apply multiple times for up to a total of 15 vehicles and charging ports across all applications. One application must be completed (vehicles registered, chargers purchased and payment received) before another application can be started and submitted. Please note that the number of DC chargers an applicant can procure is capped. For more information, please review the program guidelines.

Are Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) eligible?

FCEVs are not eligible for funding through the EV fleets incentive.

Can BEVs procured with the incentive funding be used interstate?

Occasional trips in other states are acceptable as long as the incentivised vehicles are registered and used predominantly in NSW.  

Can the BEVs be used for personal use?

The incentivised vehicle can be used to exclusively support operations or to support a combination of operational and personal use. However, only vehicles that are registered against an organisation with verified ABN, or a registered taxi driver or truck driver can be incentivised.  

Are car share businesses eligible?

These businesses can apply through either the kick-start funding option (up to 15 EVs) or the individual stream of the competitive bid option (11 or more vehicles) if they meet the relevant eligibility criteria. 

Can I use the EV fleets incentive to procure a vehicle under a subscription arrangement?

Applicants are not eligible to receive kick-start funding for vehicles procured through a subscription. Only vehicles procured through outright purchase or lease are eligible for kick-start funding. Applicants looking to procure vehicles through a subscription should do so through a subscription provider.

Subscription providers can participate in either the kick-start funding option (up to 15 vehicles) or the individual stream of the competitive bid option (11 or more vehicles) to receive funding for subscription vehicles provided to customers. 

Can my vehicles be privately registered?

No. Neither incentivised EVs or existing fleet vehicles can be privately registered (General Private usage, as noted on the registration certificate). Vehicles should be registered for business general use. Other types of vehicle registration types will be considered on application. 

Can leased vehicles be used to demonstrate the minimum fleet size requirement under kick start funding? If yes, is there any minimum requirement on the length of a vehicle lease?

Vehicles under a financial or operating lease agreement of at least three years can be accounted towards the minimum fleet requirements for kick-start funding.

Do subscription or rental vehicles count towards my existing fleet?

No. Vehicles you don’t own but have procured through a subscription or rental agreement are not counted towards your existing fleet size. 

I don't have a current certificate of registration, can I provide alternative evidence in my kick-start application to demonstrate my existing business fleet?

You may submit a Transport for NSW registration notice to demonstrate fleet size. If the registration has expired, we will use other resources to verify if your vehicle is currently registered and will request more evidence if we cannot satisfy current registration. 

Available funding

How much funding is available?

The Department publishes the available funding allocation on the kick-start funding website at the time of launch. Funding allocations will be published on the competitive bid website when a new round launches.

What can be funded and what cannot be funded?

Can I request an incentive for model variants? E.g., Tesla Model 3 (Standard or Long Range) or Hyundai Kona (Elite or Highlander)?

Kick-start funding option:

You can purchase any model and variant within the vehicle categories that your funding has been approved for (noting that passenger vehicles and SUVs can’t exceed the price cap without an exemption being granted). 

Why are hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) not eligible for the EV fleets incentive?

The Department deems HEVs and PHEVs as consolidated technologies not requiring further support. Also, in order to achieve the achievement of the net zero emission target by 2050, NSW Government prioritises technologies like BEV that do not produce tailpipe emissions.  

Can I replace a HEV or PHEV vehicle with a BEV or can I only replace internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs)?

Yes, you can replace hybrids, plug-ins and internal combustion vehicles with BEVs.  

Will the incentive cover the installation costs of smart chargers?

Kick-start funding:

The incentive is designed to cover some of the installation costs associated with procuring charging infrastructure. Applicants of kick-start funding should refer to the charging incentives available for a full breakdown of the incentives being offered and the supported costs. 

How many BEVs can a CaaS arrangement support?

Each smart charging port, allocated in a given CaaS arrangement must be matched to an incentivised BEV to claim the charger incentive amount. 

Are DC chargers eligible for the smart charger incentive?

Yes, they should be aligned to the Department’s approved charger specifications.

Are dealer demonstration EVs eligible for funding?

No. Only brand new EVs registered in NSW for the first time are eligible. Dealer demonstration vehicles are often priced at a discount, and therefore, an additional incentive is not deemed necessary.

Receiving payment

If I register just some, but not all the BEVs I have received confirmation of an incentive for, can I get the incentive paid for those I haven't registered?

Payments will be made only for vehicles that have been registered in NSW, and all required evidence must be submitted for assessment by the Program team.

If a fleet manager does not purchase and register vehicles they have been approved for, payment for those vehicles will be withheld, and the funds will be reallocated to future funding rounds.

Are alternate payment options available if the incentive payment for all vehicles cannot be claimed at once?

No, all vehicle and charger evidence must be supplied simultaneously. We cannot process batch payments.

What if I am successful, but no longer want to use the funding or procure the BEVs outlined in my funding deed?

Participants that are no longer interested or able to use the funding are required to notify the Department in writing as soon as possible, so funding can be reallocated to future rounds.

I have been successful with my application. When can I purchase the BEVs and smart chargers?

Participants cannot claim an incentive for vehicles or charging infrastructure purchased before the launch date of the relevant round. 

What if I am unable to secure the vehicle in time due to supply issues?

You must submit the proof of EV registration and the proof of purchase of the Smart Chargers within 100 Business Days from the receipt of the Funding Deed. Failure to do so may result in forfeiting the incentive funding.  

Fleet managers that cannot secure vehicle(s) within the set timeframes due to supply chain issues will need to notify the Department.  Extensions to the 100-business days delivery term to provide vehicle registration evidence may be granted at the Department’s discretion, only if the delay of registration is due to supply chain issues and/or supply delays beyond the control of the applicant, and adequate evidence is provided.

Applicants will need to submit a written request for extension, with details and evidence about the purchase order date, typical delivery times and expected delays supported in writing by the OEM. An extension will not be considered for vehicles that do not have a purchase order in place or for vehicles that were not available on the market at the time of the application submission.

Delays in the provision of the charging infrastructure evidence, will only be considered if the project involves heavy vehicles. Acceptable evidence for consideration of an extension includes agreed delivery plans and expected delays supported in writing by the installers.

If there are supply limitations, can we use the incentive to procure vehicles on the secondary market?

No, the incentive can only be used for the procurement of new vehicles. It cannot be used for procurements from the secondary market. 

Can I purchase new BEVs through private imports?

Yes. You can procure BEVs via your usual procurement channels.

After receiving payment

Can I eventually sell the BEVs I received funding for?

Yes. You are free to sell the vehicles when you choose. Please note the requirement to provide information on plans to resell the vehicles as part of the annual reporting, which is stipulated in the reporting requirements as per clauses 7.1 and 7.4 of the funding deed. Additionally, you must keep sale records for a minimum of 7 years as per clause 18.2 of the funding deed.  

Can I eventually sell the smart chargers I received funding for?

Yes. You are free to sell the smart chargers when you choose. You must keep sale records for a minimum of 7 years as per clause 18.2 of the funding deed.

One of my BEVs was damaged in an accident and has been written-off. What do I do?

You are not required to return the incentive payment for written-off vehicles to the NSW Government. In addition, the comprehensive motor vehicle insurance required for each vehicle that receives funding will minimise or remove any financial loss you occur as a result the write-offs. 

Privacy and confidentiality

My application and registration will include personal information. How does the department manage this information?

We have legal obligations under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) in relation to the collection, storage, access, use and disclosure of personal information.

If collecting your personal information, we will provide you with a privacy statement at the time of collection that details how this information will be managed in accordance with privacy law.

We may publish aggregate information of round results on the NSW Government website as well as use de-identified bid data in training materials, case studies, evaluations and other portfolio purposes. 

My application and registration will include commercially sensitive information. Will this be kept confidential?

Information of a confidential nature provided as part of or in connection with any bid, will be treated as commercial-in-confidence information and only disclosed with the consent of the participating organisation. However, commercial-in-confidence information provided by fleet managers may be disclosed: 

  • to the Minister/the Minister's Office
  • to department staff
  • to relevant parties for auditing purposes
  • where authorised or required by law to be disclosed.

Please contact [email protected] if you have further questions about the incentive.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive the latest information about BEV incentives at our EV fleets page

Getting help

When will online information sessions be held?

An online information session will be held at the opening of each round. Session details will be posted here. A recording of the session will be made available online for the duration of the round.

Sign up to our e-newsletter to be one of the first to know about future sessions at the bottom of the page linked above. 

Can I get feedback on my unsuccessful application? 

Feedback can be provided if an application was not successful because it did not meet the eligibility criteria and/or was not supported by sufficient documentation.

Please contact [email protected] if you have further questions about the incentive.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive the latest information about EV incentives at our EV fleets page

Please contact [email protected] if you have further questions about the incentive.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive the latest information about EV incentives at our EV fleets page.