Supporting the Carbon Neutral Adelaide plan, the City of Adelaide (CoA) has endorsed an electric vehicle (EV) charging roadmap to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and decarbonisation of the transport system.

Designed by our team in collaboration with the City of Adelaide, the roadmap is a significant step towards decarbonising Adelaide’s transport system.

The roadmap emphasises a holistic strategy aligning with the city’s broader urban design and sustainable transport objectives. Our transport planning team balanced the demand for EV charging with the city’s integrated transport and sustainability objectives, acknowledging that a transition to EV is one aspect of a larger strategy towards net zero.

To ensure the roadmap fits the needs of Adelaide residents, visitors and workers, our team identified a range of charging typologies to ensure proposed infrastructure was suitable and relevant to the specific urban environment. This is a blueprint to effectively transition Adelaide to incorporate EV infrastructure, furthering the city as a competitive place for people to work and live while supporting the CoA’s broader sustainable growth and decarbonisation objectives.

It provides a way forward for Council to support the communities transition to electric vehicles through the provision of a reliable EV charging network, with three actions for implementation: establish a clear framework for the rollout of EV chargers at strategic locations, enable the market-led provision of on-street chargers in select locations which minimise impacts on the public realm, and work with private sector providers to trial on-street charging in select residential areas.

Sustainable infrastructure design

The roadmap provides the CoA with a nuanced and detailed guide to achieve its sustainable urban development and growth targets. Our team considered a bespoke approach to the roadmap, with an emphasis on a place-based methodology using the City of Adelaide’s City Plan. By identifying priority charging locations based on factors such as apartment dwelling density, the report is localised and addresses the specific needs and challenges of Adelaide and its community. 

The roadmap supports the CoA’s strategic goal for a carbon-neutral future. Our transport planning team ensured the recommendations from this report consider Adelaide’s integrated transport objectives, encouraging walking, cycling, and public transport alongside the decarbonisation of private vehicles.

This integrated approach looks to help foster a sustainable and interconnected urban environment, promoting a system of both active modes of transport alongside the electrification of vehicles. It reflects the complexities of decarbonisation and recognises that EV infrastructure is one element of a multifaceted strategy working towards a carbon-neutral future.

The City of Adelaide is building its digital capability and evidence base to make informed decisions that benefit residents, workers and visitors. Council’s decision to commission The EV Roadmap supports Council’s ambitious climate targets and strategic approach to planning assets and infrastructure for the city and South Australia.

Ilia Houridis

Director, City Shaping, City of Adelaide

Transport consulting

Our team identified six charging typologies to suit different user needs, including on-street and destination facilities. Taking a granular approach to charging across the city, we then balanced user demands and needs with the city’s integrated transport and city objectives. This approach ensures the road map fits the needs of different communities. It also promotes an equitable public charging rollout, considering the diverse range of land use will support CoA’s ambitions to be a thriving community of residents and visitors.

The roadmap supports an ecosystem of private and public entities to create, operate and maintain charging infrastructure with a strategic plan to support CoA during the transition. It also provides strategic insights to support the sustainable growth of Adelaide, retaining its status as a competitive and attractive place for people to work and live.

Illustration of electric vehicle charging locations
We identified six charging behaviours and locations for Adelaide.