Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding

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Grants supporting organisations transition to battery electric vehicles by partially bridging the total cost of ownership gap between these vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles.

Current status of program

Opening Soon

Specific dates will be announced soon.

To register your interest in seeking our assistance with applying, please contact us here.

What is the Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding?

The Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding is a NSW Government initiative designed to help organisations transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by partially bridging the total cost of ownership (TCO) gap between BEVs and their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. This competitive bid funding option is specifically tailored for larger fleets that are beyond the pilot stage of EV adoption.

There are two distinct streams:

  • Individual Stream: For businesses directly procuring BEVs for operational use.
  • Aggregator Stream: For organisations that bid on behalf of customers, with the condition that 100% of any approved incentive must be passed on to those customers.

Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding level of support

Under this scheme, funding is allocated to help cover a portion of the TCO gap for eacheligible BEV procured. Funding is determined by each applicant’s bid, which is evaluated based on the incentive requested per tonne of CO₂-equivalent (CO₂e) abated.

  • Co-contribution Requirement: Applicants are required to demonstrate financial capacity to cover any portion of the TCO gap not funded through the incentive. For vehicles where the TCO gap is less than AUD 3,000, the full gap may be covered by the funding. For larger gaps, the competitive bid covers a portion of the gap only, and the applicant must contribute the balance.
  • Minimum and Maximum Funding Amount: There is no fixed minimum or maximum funding amount. Previous rounds have seen ceiling prices set at approximately AUD 12,500 (Round 1), AUD 11,000 (Round 2), and AUD 9,899 (Round 3) per vehicle; however, the current round’s ceiling (if any) is not disclosed during the bid period. The exact amount each successful bidder receives will depend on the competitiveness of their bid.

Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding important dates

  • Round 6: Opening soon – keep an eye on the official NSW EV Fleets Incentive website for the launch date and updated bidding windows.
  • Bidding Window: Typically, competitive bid rounds last for approximately two months from registration to final bid submission.
  • Register your interest with GrantHelper

Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding objectives

The primary objectives of the EV Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding are to:
Accelerate the uptake of BEVs in NSW fleets.

  • Achieve significant emissions abatement at the lowest possible cost for the NSW Government.
  • Support the development of a robust secondary market for BEVs through fleet turnover.
  • Promote a long-term transition to electric mobility in the fleet sector.
  • Encourage the uptake of smart charging infrastructure to better manage energy use.

Projects and expenditure eligible for Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding support

Eligible Expenditures

Eligible projects under this funding stream include the procurement of:

  • Brand New BEVs: Passenger vehicles (PVs), sports utility vehicles (SUVs), light commercial vehicles (LCVs up to 4.5 tonnes) and light trucks.
  • Smart Charging Equipment: Funding is available to support the installation of smart chargers (including Charge-as-a-Service solutions) at organisational premises or employees’ homes.

Ineligible Expenditures

Expenditures that cannot be funded include:

  • Vehicles that are not classified as BEVs (e.g. hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, or ICE vehicles).
  • Used or converted vehicles.
  • Passenger vehicles or SUVs that exceed the price cap (currently AUD 89,332 including GST), unless a compelling justification is provided.
  • Charging equipment that comes standard with a BEV.

Other Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding important details that you will need to know

Eligible organisations include, but are not limited to:

  • Private business organisations
  • Non-government and not-for-profit organisations
  • Local councils
  • State-owned corporations
  • Federal government agencies operating in NSW
  • Car rental, car share, car subscription and rideshare companies
  • Aggregators (fleet management organisations) that facilitate EV leasing arrangements for their customers

 

Note: Organisations must operate a fleet of 21 or more vehicles and be applying for funding for at least 11 brand new BEVs.

See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.

Bids are primarily assessed based on the incentive requested per tonne of CO₂e abated (i.e. the $/tCO₂e ratio). While detailed weighting percentages are not publicly disclosed, key assessment factors include:

Primary Criterion:

  • $/tCO₂e Ratio: The bid with the lowest ratio is ranked most favourably. This is the principal metric for determining competitiveness.
    1. Secondary Considerations:
  • Compliance with eligibility and documentation requirements.
  • Demonstration of financial capacity and a solid plan for integrating BEVs into the fleet.
  • Evidence of measures to support the long-term operational use and maintenance of the BEVs.

 

Bidders should ensure that all required documentation is accurate and complete to avoid disqualification.

To access the EV Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding, you will need to:

  1. Confirm Your Eligibility:
    Ensure your organisation meets the criteria – operating a fleet of 21+ vehicles and applying for funding for 11 or more new BEVs.
  2. Register on the Online Platform:
    Sign up through the NSW EV Fleets Incentive website using your valid ABN.
  3. Prepare Your Bid:
    Gather all necessary information, including fleet details, estimated annual mileage, TCO gap calculations, and anticipated emissions abatement figures.
  4. Submit Your Initial Bid:
    Enter your bid during the first bidding window, then review your ranking and adjust if necessary.
  5. Submit Your Final Bid:
    Confirm your bid details in the final bidding window.
  6. Execute the Funding Deed:
    If your bid is successful, sign the funding deed and provide the required evidence (vehicle procurement and registration) within the set timeframes.

 

Before applying, ensure you have the following details ready:

  • Organisation Details:
    Your registered ABN and contact information.
  • Fleet Information:
    Current fleet size and structure, and details of vehicles to be replaced or added.
  • Bid Details:
    The number and types of BEVs you intend to procure, along with estimated TCO gap and emissions abatement figures.
  • Financial Documentation:
    Evidence of financial capacity to fund the remaining TCO gap (if applicable), including any co-contribution details.
  • Supporting Documentation:
    Any justification required for vehicles exceeding the price cap and confirmation that vehicles will be registered and primarily operated in NSW.

 

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Navigate to the NSW EV Fleets Incentive webpage to begin the registration and application process.

Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.

Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive – Competitive Bid Funding resources

Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?

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  3. Grant Application Search
    Let us do the heavy lifting to uncover the most relevant and high-value grant opportunities tailored to your business objectives.
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    Receive detailed, strategic feedback to sharpen your application, address potential weaknesses, and ensure maximum alignment with assessment benchmarks.
  6. Grant Application Management
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