Incentives Beyond Rebates: Why Home EV Chargers Are Still Skyrocketing in Demand

As part of their broader renewables efforts under the Zero Emissions Vehicles Roadmap, the Victorian State Government aims for half of all new light vehicle sales to be Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030 and for all government fleet vehicles to be ZEVs by 2035.

To further incentivise the swift adoption of EVs across the state, the government introduced several EV-related rebates, including FBT and tariff exemptions for EVs below the Luxury Car Tax Threshold, as well as the now-permanently closed Zero Emissions Vehicle subsidy program, which provided assistance with EV adoption and EV charger installations.

Despite the ZEV subsidy program closing in June 2023, EV adoption has not slowed in recent years, and homeowners are still investing in installing EV chargers on their properties.

If you’re tossing up whether or not it’s worth installing an EV charger for your Melbourne property, then hear what our local experts have to say about the long-term financial benefits that can be enjoyed even without rebate incentives.

How Many EV Charging Stations are in Victoria?

The most recent figures from the Electric Vehicle Council’s annually published State of Electric Vehicles report record over 4,000 high-power public EV charging stations installed across Australia, with approximately 600+ in Victoria alone.

Whilst these figures are impressive, recent figures for EV adoption in Victoria also reveal that there are over 180,000 registered electric vehicles in the state, which means that for every 1 of those 600 Victorian charging stations, there are an estimated 300 drivers waiting in line to charge their vehicle.

Nobody wants to wait in a queue that’s 300 cars long. This, in a nutshell, is why EV charger installation trends have not slowed down despite the closure of state rebates for home charging stations.

What EV Charger Rebates Did The VIC Government Offer?

While there are currently no state rebates for home chargers, the Victorian Government has provided the following historical and ongoing EV-related incentives.

Zero Emissions Vehicle Subsidy

The VIC Gov previously offered a $3,000 subsidy rebate on the purchase price of eligible new Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) under $68,740. This program launched in 2021 but was closed on June 30, 2023.

Stamp Duty Concession

Electric vehicles are exempt from the state’s higher luxury rate of motor vehicle duty. Instead, drivers pay a flat concessional stamp duty rate of $8.40 per $200 of market value.

This offer from the Victorian State Government runs alongside the Federal Government’s Electric Car Discount Bill, where zero and low-emission cars, below the luxury car tax threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles, will be exempt from import tariffs and fringe benefits tax.

Electric Vehicle Registration Discount

Victorian residents and businesses could claim a $100 annual discount on registration fees for any electric, hydrogen, or plug-in electric-hybrid vehicles. This program ended on 1st January, 2026.

Destination Charging Across Victoria Program

The Destination Charging Across Victoria Program provided over $5 million in grants to businesses and individuals for EV charging installations, to help establish a public electric vehicle fast-charging network across Victoria. To date, the program has delivered 133 public EV chargers across the state.

Why Are Victorians Still Installing Home EV Chargers?

Although many of these incentive programs are no longer available, they seem to have achieved what they were designed to do.

Hundreds of thousands of Victorians have made the switch to an electric vehicle and installed EV charging at home or at their business, and even after the rebates have ended, many are still switching gears because of the long-term benefits.

Victorian homeowners are in the best position to upgrade as installation costs are normally lower due to ease of charger location. Whilst there is definitely less incentive for some people, this is countered by high fuel prices, convenience, and battery storage rebates, and the long-term cost-value and energy savings of home EV charging stations become readily apparent.

Here are just some reasons Victorian homeowners are still installing home EV charging stations.

1. Home Charging is Still Cheaper than Public Charging

While driving an electric vehicle is generally cheaper than driving and refuelling a petrol or diesel car, charging has always been a major sticking point. But it’s become clear that charging simply costs less than refuelling.

Private charging at 20kWh is substantially cheaper than charging via a public charger during peak times. Most people won’t use most of their car’s charge each day anyway, so EV owners can charge their cars by 20 to 30% overnight and be ready to go the next day.

2. Rooftop Solar Makes Home EV Charging Even Greener

If you have solar panels installed at your home, then there’s no reason you shouldn’t install an EV charger. EV charging is an excellent complement to rooftop solar solutions, as it can be managed purely with daily solar gains and reserve battery storage, reducing your household reliance on the local energy grid.

By charging during daylight hours, Victorian homeowners can also cut energy consumption even further, keeping their household carbon footprint smaller while curbing costs at the bowser.

3. EV-Ready Infrastructure now Mandatory for Urban Developments

Since 1st May, 2024, the National Construction Code has made EV-ready infrastructure mandatory for all new multi-residential buildings. Developers are not required to install chargers in every apartment, but they must install the necessary “backbone” infrastructure.

What this includes:

This means that new buildings are designed to be “plug-and-play,” so when a resident buys an EV, the physical work is largely finished, and the final charger installation is straightforward and significantly cheaper. So by installing EV chargers in strata and residential properties now, owners are getting ahead of the compliance curve and avoiding the need for future electrical renovations.

4. Retrofit Solutions in Demand & Available for Existing Properties

Whilst there is no legislation mandating that existing properties retroactively install EV infrastructure, demand for charging stations in dwellings like apartments and units continues to boom across Melbourne. Our electricians have been busy supporting strata developments across Melbourne in securing retrofit EV charging solutions to meet resident demands.

Because many older buildings cannot support multiple 7kW chargers without causing major electrical faults, a new “Backbone” strategy has been developed to enable Load Management Systems (LMS) to share available power among multiple chargers or to allow residents to buy in and temporarily connect their own chargers. This setup also helps property owners jump the approval hurdle, since parking areas in most residential buildings are considered common property and individual owners cannot install their own charging stations.

The continuing demand for retrofit EV charging solutions further reinforces Victoria’s skyrocketing EV adoption trends. Across every corner of the city, Melburnians are seeing residential EV chargers less as a compliance sticking point and more as a value marker that delivers a genuinely in-demand amenity for their residential complex.

5. EV Uptake is Only Continuing to Grow

And of course, there are thousands of new EV drivers in Victoria every month. With EV adoption trends breaking records virtually every month across 2026 so far, there is undeniable demand for at-home charging solutions, with hundreds of thousands of new drivers hitting your local streets in just the past few months alone.

With growing demand for, and strain on, public charging infrastructure, the ongoing adoption of EVs is one of the strongest drivers of residential EV charger installations across Victoria.

Home EV Chargers: A Smart Long-Term Investment

Alongside meeting consumer demands for more private EV charging infrastructure across Victoria’s property market, EV chargers can add value to your residential property in the following ways:

Australia’s renewables roadmap is on a strict timeline, with rebates playing a vital role in keeping sustainability trends aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. By investing in professional EV charger installation now with support from your trusted licensed electrician, your property will be better positioned for future renewable and sustainability incentives.

EV charging is the future. It will only improve over time; how quickly depends on manufacturing, the health of the economy, and major improvements in the ability for manufacturers to revamp older models to boost resale value. As the technology improves, so does the ease of installation and return on investment.

Install an EV Charger for your Melbourne Property with All Electrics

While Victoria’s home EV charger rebates may have ended, the reasons for installing one haven’t disappeared. For many homeowners, the long-term savings on charging costs, the ability to make the most of rooftop solar, and the convenience of charging at home continue to provide ample benefits. Whether you’re preparing for your first electric vehicle, upgrading your home’s electrical infrastructure, or looking to future-proof your property, a professionally installed EV charger is an investment that can deliver value for years to come.

At All Electrics, our licensed electricians install high-quality EV charging solutions for homes, apartments, townhouses and new builds across Melbourne and greater Victoria. We can assess your property’s electrical capacity, recommend the right charger for your needs, and provide a safe, compliant installation that’s built to last.

Are you ready to charge smarter at home? Contact us today to get a quote for an EV charger installation and discover how you can maximise the benefits of home charging.