Electric vehicles
We are committed to reducing transport emissions by increasing use of active and public transport and transitioning to electric vehicles.
We are committed to reaching our target of zero-net emissions in Yarra by 2035, as outlined in our Climate Emergency Plan [ PDF, 9.5 MB] .
To achieve this, we need to reduce our transport emissions by increasing:
- our use of active and public transport
- the speed of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) including cars, bicycles (e-bikes) and public transport.
- access to public charging infrastructure for Yarra residents, businesses and visitors.
We are supporting and encouraging the uptake of EVs by:
- installing 26 pole mounted EV chargers to support residents to access convenient charging close to their home
- mapping our public EV charging requirements to support appropriate future installations of EV chargers so all people living and working in Yarra can be confident that they will have a convenient option to charge an electric car
- working with other Councils to share knowledge and opportunities
- developing resources to help our businesses better understand the role they can play in facilitating EV charging.
- transitioning our vehicle fleet to electric (currently we have 10 cars, 3 trucks, 25 e-bikes, 1 bus, 1 excavator and 1 street sweeper)
Council Facilitated Chargers
Fast DC Charging
The following fast chargers have been facilitated by Council, and are powered by 100% renewable energy:
- 2 fast charging bays at the Collingwood Library
- 4 fast charging bays at Piedimonte’s supermarket off St Georges Rd in North Fitzroy
- 4 fast charging plugs at Richmond Library Charlotte St car park.
- 2 fast charging bays at Collingwood Leisure Centre
Collingwood Library, Piedimontes and Richmond Library were sites chosen by Council which were installed, owned and managed by Evie Networks. These were funded through the Federal Government's Future Fuels Fund and the State Government’s Destination Charging Across Victoria (DCAV) programs.
The Collingwood Leisure Centre is our most recent installation, in partnership with YEF. The project was funded by a $750,000 grant from the Victorian Government through the Neighbourhood Battery Initiative (NBI), Owned and managed by Exploren.
Pole Mounted EV Charging
Council is currently rolling out 26 pole-mounted EV chargers across Yarra as part of a two-year trial designed to support the growing number of electric vehicles in our community.
The trial will increase the availability and variety of public charging options across the municipality, particularly for residents who do not have access to off-street parking and are unable to install a private charger at home.
A mix of 26 locations across Yarra have been selected for the trial, with installations taking place between June and July 2026.
For charger locations and installation updates, visit our dedicated Pole-mounted electric vehicle charging trial webpage.
For our most recent media release on the project, click here.
Finding a Charger Near You
Plugshare provides a map of all public electric vehicle chargers in Yarra.
Home-to-kerb charging from private residence
We understand that some residents are seeking to charge their vehicle on the street from a cable connected to their property (ie across or above a footpath or laneway or alike). This is known as home-to-kerb charging.
Currently, Council does not permit electrical cables on or above footpaths within the City of Yarra. These are a potential tripping hazard, and an obstruction for people with limited mobility and pose an electrical risk. Any cords placed in this manner are subject to enforcement action.
Some other Councils in Melbourne are trialling permitting different specific home-to-kerb charging solutions, and we are monitoring the outcomes of these trials to assess the potential to undertake a trial in Yarra in the future.
Residents with off-street parking looking to install a home EV charger
We have partnered with Solar Savers, a council-backed initiative that has already done the hard work when installing an EV charger.
Solar Savers has a number of different brands of electric vehicle chargers available. Some brands offer tethered chargers (with a charging cable attached) and untethered chargers (without a charging cable attached) depending on your preference. View the estimated prices.
Register through the Yarra's Solar Savers page and receive up to three quotes from trusted, accredited suppliers.
- Read the Yarra City Council Submission to the Development of a Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap in Victoria [ PDF, 217.33 KB] .
- Read Yarra City Council's Electric Vehicle Factsheet [ PDF, 119.71 KB] and EV Charging Factsheet [ PDF, 2.24 MB] .
- Read Australian Government Green Vehicle Guide for fact sheets, vehicle descriptions and a fuel costs and emissions calculator.
- View our webinar Electrify your ride: can a novated lease lower the cost of an EV or eBike for you?.
- View our webinar EV charging in your business.
- Visit the Victorian Government's advice for Zero Emissions Vehicles.
- Read the Draft Electric Vehicle Discussion Paper [ PDF, 60.21 MB] .
- Find out more about our roadmap to zero and the many ways we are responding to the climate emergency on our Take Climate Action Page.