Published on Monday, 24 August 2026 at 9:43:00 AM

Following a 40 per cent increase in electric vehicle ownership in the last year, the City of Vincent is accelerating its goal to provide more charging options in the inner-city. 
 
Vincent is the highest-density local government area per square kilometre in WA, with a population of about 41,000 people. 
 
One in 32 residents own an EV (as at March 2026). 
 
Many people can charge their vehicles at home, however some living in apartments, higher-density developments and heritage areas are unable to and need to use other options. 
 
Vincent currently has three public charging locations at The Avenue and Chelmsford Road car parks and Beatty Park Leisure Centre. 
 
Following a decision at this month’s Council meeting, the City will be seeking an operator to install and manage EV chargers in public car parks, while also looking at costs and options to operate its own. 
 
“We’re seeing a large rise in Vincent locals making the switch to electric vehicles, so we are doing everything we can to ensure they can charge easily and quickly,” said Mayor Alison Xamon. 
 
“There will be even more EVs on the streets in the future as our population continues to grow in line with the State Government’s infill target of 11,500 new homes by 2050 for our area. 
 
“Whilst it is desirable for inner-city homes to have less private vehicles per household, we know that electric vehicles are what more and more people are transitioning to. 
 
“This is why we are looking at adding more chargers to our most-used car parks.” 
 
The City will also be expanding the charging car bays at Chelmsford, which are operated by Evie Networks, from two to four to address high demand. 
 
Ms Xamon said the City was committed to progressing various ways to make it easier for people to charge EVs at home and when visiting town centres. 
 
“We continue to advocate to the State for regulatory changes to enable safe kerbside charging options so that we do not see practices such as extension cords coming out from homes to footpaths which impact pedestrian and electrical safety,” she said. 
 
“Our collaboration with the Perth Inner City Group, Western Power and private charging operator EVX to explore a streetlight Electric Vehicle charging trial is also tracking along well. 
 
“The trial involves the installation of a charging unit onto existing light poles, with a focus on areas where residents may not have off-street bays or a garage.” 
 
An Expression of Interest (EOI) for EV charging operators in the City’s car parks will be announced next month. 
 
Council will consider the results of the EOI at a future meeting. 
 

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