Government charges ahead with EV infrastructure for consumers

Households across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia will have access to various smart and managed electric vehicle (EV) charging technologies, under a government-backed trial aimed at supporting consumer choice in future fuels.

The trial aims to accelerate the commercialisation of different charging technologies by better understanding how customers use them at home. The trial will lead to a better understanding of how an EV plugged in at a home can be used to store energy and provide it back to the grid, known as vehicle-to-grid.

The trial will also create a better understanding of the impact EVs could have on networks and how to save consumers money as they charge. The trial will look at shifting EV charging to off-peak periods to reduce pressure on the grid, lowering costs for consumers and maximising the use of renewable energy.

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the government will continue to support Australians to choose which type of vehicle technology they drive.

Through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the government will provide $2.9 million for the project, with the total cost expected to be $8.25 million.

“The government is backing a range of technologies, not picking one winner. This follows our ‘technology not taxes’ approach to reducing emissions,” said Minister Taylor.

AGL will contribute $5.3 million towards the trial, which involves project partners JET Charge, Chargefox and FlexCharging and a cohort of distribution networks.

Approximately 6700 EVs were sold in Australia in 2019, with sales increasing in 2020. This trial will help ensure that EVs can be successfully integrated into the electricity networks to minimise impacts on other energy users.

“As the uptake of electric vehicles continues in Australia, we are investing in the technology and infrastructure required to ensure motorists can access what is best for them,” said Minister Taylor.

This trial complements the government’s Future Fuels Fund, which assists businesses and regional communities to access the infrastructure they need to take advantage of opportunities offered by hydrogen, electric and biofuelled vehicles.

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