Energy Companies Offering EV Charging for Under $5

Energy companies providing electric vehicle charging for less than $5

May 14, 2024 TruthUSA

In Australia, electric vehicle sales declined in April, but hybrid sales saw an increase.

Origin Energy, a major energy company, is now offering Tesla electric vehicle owners the chance to charge their cars fully for as low as $4.60 (US$3.05).

Through an app, the company provides automated EV charging at 8 cents per kilowatt-hour during scheduled charge sessions under the EV Power Up scheme.

EV Power Up aims to promote off-peak charging to help the energy grid and save customers money by taking advantage of surpluses like solar power during the day or lower demand overnight.

According to Zecar, it typically costs between $16 and $49 to fully charge a Tesla EV, depending on the model and distance.

Discounted EV charging is exclusively available to Tesla EV owners with an Origin residential electricity account and access to the company app.

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A promotional video states, “Origin EV Power Up is the new way to ensure your EV is charged by a time that is right for you, all for less than $5.”

The success of the scheme led to its expansion after a trial involving 200 Tesla EV owners at the beginning of 2024.

Origin anticipates three million EVs on the road by 2030, with increasing adoption across Australia, potentially raising household energy consumption by up to 40 percent for those charging their vehicles at home.

Brendan Manzie, Origin Future Energy’s general manager, emphasized that this initiative will support the national electricity grid as EV numbers rise in Australia.

Origin aims to extend the program to cater to other EV brands such as Volvo, BYD, and MG.

The Australian government is investing in a national EV charging network, deploying chargers along key highways throughout the country.

EV Charging with a Smart Metre

AGL, another ASX-listed energy giant, is providing EV charging for as low as $5 at night with a rate of 8 cents per kilowatt-hour between midnight and 8 a.m.

This plan requires a digital meter, or smart meter, allowing AGL to track energy usage during off-peak hours from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.

The company states, “If you don’t have a digital meter and wish to enroll in the Night Saver EV plan, you can arrange for one to be installed.”

Battery EV Sales Dip in April 2024

In April 2024, battery electric vehicle sales decreased to 6.4 percent of total new car sales, down from 7.9 percent compared to the same period the previous year.

However, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales accounted for 18.3 percent of the market in April, up from 7.5 percent in 2023, based on data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries released on May 3.

The market for SUVs and light commercial vehicles remains strong, with SUVs making up 55.7 percent of market share in April and light commercials contributing 22 percent of sales.

Toyota led in vehicle sales for April, followed by Ford, Mazda, Kia, and Mitsubishi.

The NRMA highlighted a noticeable decline in battery electric vehicle sales in April compared to the same period in 2023, along with a slight drop in Tesla’s EV market share from 53 percent in 2023 to 33 percent in April.

AAP contributed to this report

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