So I keep seeing people in my country (Australia) saying the Government needs to install more and more EV chargers and that it should be a government push.
However I have looked and it seems Horses grew organically, then when the motor car came along running petrol and diesel, it was an organic independent business growth.
Was there any countries that wholesale rolled out petrol stations to support cars historically?
I know the Netherlands has spent the last few decades putting in more Bicycle infrastructure, including infrastructure to charge Electric bicycles, but as far as I'm aware that was more in the way of credits to independent operators. However Google translate didn't work on a great deal of websites for me to get a clear picture.
I also did find some sites indicating that in the oil rich Middle East nations then there was a big push by the governments to build petrol stations as part of the rapid expansion of automobiles, however I can't find much evidence of this happening long term and these staying in "Government" hands.
I say "Government" as in some countries it's harder to draw the line between Business and Government.
But basically, is there a historical precedent of governments paying for, installing, and running the infrastructure? As that's one argument I see of "Put a charger on every light pole and give us free power!" Which would make the government the runner of this type of infrastructure.
So is there a system out there like this that has worked for a long time?
In the US, the interstate highway system is the largest infrastructure project in our history, done entirely by the government AFIK. Also, I believe airports are run by gov as well.
Another thing to consider is that the in the past, there was no reason for society as a whole to prefer one solution over another. Today, electric cars are expected to be more environmentally sound, so there is a reason for government to get involved and encourage adoption of the new technology.