A new program aimed at ensuring drivers in any Victorian town will only be one hour away from a fast-charger has been launched.

As part of the Destination Charging Across Victoria Program the Victoria Government is investing $5 million to install 141 electric vehicle fast-charging stations across the state.

Destinations include shopping complexes, public parks, community centres, libraries, and tourist hot spots such as the Great Ocean Road, Melbourne Zoo, the MCG, and Queen Victoria Market.

A further $3 million will be available in grant funding for fleet infrastructure for local councils and businesses.

The initiatives − part of Victoria’s $100 million Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Roadmap − will significantly ramp up the state’s charging infrastructure and make it easier for Victorians to purchase an electric vehicle.

Victoria’s ZEV Roadmap is the most comprehensive plan of its kind in Australia and will help Victoria hit its ZEV target of 50 percent of all new light vehicle sales by 2030.

The state aims to halve emissions by 2030 and has a target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

“The transport sector is the second largest contributor to Victoria’s emissions and our investments are tackling this − making zero emissions vehicles a vehicle for change,” said Minister for Public Transport, Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll.

Local councils and businesses are encouraged to apply for fleet charging grants before applications close on Friday 21 January 2022 by visiting energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/zero-emissions-vehicles