This growth has been largely helped by state subsidies, new technology, new models and higher fuel prices.

The report notes the number of EVs purchased rose by 86 per cent over the past year, with 3.8 per of all new cars bought being electric. While this is a positive sign, other countries have a 20 per cent new EV purchase rate.

The figures show Australia has about 83,000 EVs on its roads – a sharp increase from 44,000 EVs at the start of 2022. The council estimates Australia could reach 100,000 EVs on the road this year.

As the uptake of EVs increases, Jarnason believes so too will the infrastructure needed to support them – which includes charging access in public places, such as solar panel car parks.

“I look forward to the future when you can drive an EV to any car park, park in shade, plug it in and get free energy from the sun. It is inevitable. It is not a question of if, but when,” he said.

Solar awnings over car parks can also help counter the dangerous “heat island” effect of sprawling suburban car parks, which in summer can reach dangerous temperatures, said Emma Bacon, chief executive of Sweltering Cities, which campaigns for cooling infrastructure in Sydney and Melbourne.

Sweltering Cities recorded temperatures of more than 60 degrees on Sydney roads, more than 57 in a car park in St Mary’s and more than 73 on a car bonnet in St Marys, Sydney in January 2021.

“On a hot day in a large car park, you could spend quite a long time pushing trolleys, packing the car, wrangling kids and walking across hot concrete,” she said.

“This increases the risk of dehydration, sunburn or heat exhaustion, especially for people who are vulnerable, such as older people and young children.”

Solar Car Parks project developer Daniel Chapman says that since the COVID pandemic there has been an increase in the number of companies looking to install solar car parks.

“We’re basically extending the solar footprint and what can be done,” he said.

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Chapman said hospitals and councils were among those looking to implement such car parks. In NSW, Liverpool Hospital, Leichhardt MarketPlace and Olympic Park have installed solar panels on car parks. South Australia, Queensland and Victoria have installed some too.

“Business is starting to take note,” Chapman said. “From my viewpoint, there is more pressure from the investors behind the businesses [to make the switch].

“I’d like to believe that most car parks will be covered with solar panels in 10 years’ time, but that will come down to energy costs, which have been spiralling.”

Governments have also increased investment in EV infrastructure, such as charging stations. For example, the NSW government funds grants that allow recipients to co-fund industry to build, own and operate fast charging stations. This could include onsite solar in future funding rounds.

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