Australia's EV Charging Problem Isn't Just Fast Chargers — Pole and Gully Solutions Exist

Debates about electric vehicle infrastructure often center on highway fast-charging stations. Critics who don’t drive EVs frequently argue that charging speeds and availability are major barriers. However, a broader set of solutions is emerging that could serve urban residents far better.

For city dwellers without private driveways, two approaches stand out: mounting charge points on existing street poles and using ‘gully’ charging that taps into curbside power infrastructure. These options target the practical reality that many inner-city homeowners simply cannot install a conventional wallbox.

If adopted widely, such measures could address charging gaps that high-speed corridor networks do not reach. The hope among advocates is that all tiers of Australian government will get behind these alternatives rather than treating fast chargers as the only answer.