Kerbside EV charging is coming to regional NSW, and it could hand our community two wins at once. But only if it’s set up the right way.

Essential Energy is trialling “Plug and Play” kerbside chargers here in the Northern Rivers. The idea: the network operator builds and maintains the charger, and any electricity retailer can sell power through it. No lock-in to one app or one operator.

That’s a good starting point. Here’s the double win on offer, and the fine print we’ve asked the regulator to sort out first.

Win one: cheaper power for everyone, eventually

More EVs on the road means the electricity network gets used more efficiently. Essential Energy says that could bring network charges down for all of us over time — not just EV owners.

It’s a fair idea in theory. In our submission to the Australian Energy Market Commission, we’ve asked for one thing: proof. A clear number on what this adds to a typical bill now, and a clear path showing how and when savings actually flow back. “Trust us, it’ll pay off” isn’t good enough when the cost lands on every bill from day one.

Win two: your car could power your home

EVs aren’t just transport. Down the track, they can feed power back into the grid — vehicle-to-grid, or V2G. Think of your car as a battery on wheels, helping smooth out demand at peak times and, potentially, cutting your own power costs.

That’s a genuine upside for the whole network, not just EV owners. We’ve asked Essential Energy to spell out how kerbside charging connects to this bigger picture — and what grid upgrades are needed to make it real, given a single EV can double a household’s electricity use.

The fine print that makes or breaks it

For this to be a fair deal for everyone — not just an early win for EV owners paid for by everyone else — three things need to happen:

• Show the price, upfront. Just like a fuel bowser shows price per litre before you commit, every charger should show a clear price per kWh for every retailer. No hidden fees, no app required to compare.
• Phase the cost fairly. Today’s small base of EV owners — and non-EV owners — shouldn’t carry the full cost upfront. The bill should grow in step with EV uptake, not ahead of it.
• Build in an off-ramp. If EV charging becomes genuinely profitable, private investment should be able to take over — DNSP involvement doesn’t need to be locked in forever.

Where this lands

We support the goal here — accessible, affordable EV charging in regional communities is worth backing. Our job, as your local voice in this process, is making sure the way it’s paid for is fair, transparent, and genuinely earns the “free power and cheap upgrades” it promises — rather than assuming it.

Read our full submission to the AEMC below

Final EVCI submission to AEMC