The Electric Vehicle (EV) market is growing and we're helping our customers make the switch by building a smarter, more efficient grid.
Over the last few years, we researched and prepared for the energy changes EVs would bring, including a greater demand on the grid for home charging.
Working with the CSIRO, we investigated how EVs can be used (PDF, 255 KB) to manage network peak demand in a cost-effective way. We also surveyed EV owners (PDF, 180kb) to understand charging behaviour.
Home charging
Standard power: Charging with a standard power point is called Level 1 charging. It’s the slowest option and charging times vary depending on your vehicle.
Dedicated charger: A dedicated charger gives you faster charging. This is called Level 2 charging. Before you install one, check with your electrician or installer whether your home’s electricity supply is suitable. Some homes may need an upgrade, including three-phase power.
Safely charging your EV at home
Charging an EV can use a lot of electricity. Charging more than one vehicle at the same time can quickly increase the load on your home, especially if you’re also using large appliances such as split systems or electric cooking.
If your home is using more electricity than it can handle at the same time, your circuit protection may trip and interrupt your power supply.
Reduce the risk:
- Ask your electrician about a smart charger to help manage your home’s energy use.
- Avoid charging multiple vehicles at the same time unless you have a smart charger.
- Charge your EV when you’re not using other large appliances.
- If you plan to install multiple chargers or expect higher energy use, ask your electrician to check whether your existing connection is suitable.
Rent our electrical assets for EV charging
We're introducing a new service that allows you to rent some of our electrical assets, such as power poles, to support electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities.
This service is subject to AER (Australian Energy Regulator) approval of our ring-fencing waiver application. Once this is approved, we'll publish more information about the service and how to apply.
For information about the application process, download our Negotiating framework (PDF, 425KB).
If you have any questions, visit Contact us, select "renewables and solar", then choose "electric vehicle supply equipment" from the enquiry dropdown.