Bayside Council installs first kerbside EV charger in Cheltenham under zero-cost trial
By Eve
Bayside City Council has switched on a pole-mounted EVX charger on Brixton Road in Cheltenham, the first kerbside unit in the municipality and part of a 24 month trial that costs the council nothing to install or operate. The dual 22 kW AC charger, delivered through a partnership between RACV and EVX, targets residents without off-street parking, including renters and apartment dwellers. Charge times range from three to nine hours depending on battery size, positioning the unit for overnight or workday sessions rather than rapid top-ups.
Why it matters: The zero-cost trial model removes upfront capital barriers for councils exploring on-street charging, while the pole-mount approach avoids footpath clutter and dedicated bay requirements. For CPOs and equipment suppliers, the RACV and EVX rollout demonstrates a scalable template for residential charging in areas where home installation is not feasible.