On 12 August 2026, the AER decided to allow CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy (collectively, CPU) until 22 October 2026 to identify sites for its kerbside electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) trial.
On 22 October 2025, the AER granted CPU a time-bound, limited-scope ring-fencing waiver to install up to 100 EV chargers. The trial aims to test, analyse and publicly report on how EV charging can manage local network constraints, improve voltage stability and shift demand away from peak periods. One of the nine waiver conditions required CPU to publish a list of the final EVCI sites within 6 months of the AER’s decision (condition 6).
Earlier this year, CPU requested a further 6 months to identify the sites. CPU said it had experienced delays in confirming locations and was continuing to engage with local councils.
The AER accepts that some delays are largely outside CPU’s control. On balance, the AER considers that allowing additional time to identify sites will support stronger network learnings and insights from the trial.
The AER has therefore amended condition 6 to give CPU 12 months from the original decision on 22 October 2025 to publish a list of the final EVCI sites and notify the AER. We expect the sites to be listed with evidence showing that the selected sites appropriately balance:
- locations with network constraints that offer the strongest learnings about demand management;
- engagement across a diverse range of councils;
- high potential EV charging load; and
- sites that are not subject to a current connection request from a third party.
CPU will provide the AER with updates every 6 weeks on its progress against this condition. As at early-September 2026, CPU has published 33 sites on its trial website.
In accordance with condition 4, CPU has also published procedures for third parties seeking pole access and standard terms for a master facilities access agreement. These materials include annual lease fees and other charges, with supporting justification. They are available at CitiPower and Powercor website and the United Energy website.
Other waiver conditions require CPU to publish annual reports on the trial’s financial performance, relevant learnings and the time taken to energise third-party EV chargers (conditions 7, 8 and 9). Reports for October–December 2025 are available on CPU’s website.
The AER will assess whether CPU’s publications and reports meet the conditions’ objectives, including transparency about CPU’s conduct and safeguards against competitive harm to third parties. We welcome stakeholder feedback on the format and structure of CPU’s reporting.
The AER will continue to monitor the trial and engage with CPU to support contestable EV charger delivery alongside CPU’s own rollout. A coordinated approach can support broad EV charger delivery in the long-term interests of consumers.
If stakeholders have any queries regarding the CPU’s EVCI waiver, please contact the AER at AERringfencing
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERringfencing[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au).