The Government plans to require most new electric vehicle chargers supplied in the country to include “smart” functionality and clear labelling, aiming to shift charging to cheaper, off‑peak periods and reduce pressure on the grid.

Energy Minister Simeon Brown said chargers with a capacity above 2.4 kW — covering most fixed home and business units — will need to meet a minimum smart standard once the rules take effect. Portable charging cables that typically come with an EV are usually below 2.4 kW and would not be covered.

“This means EV chargers can automatically shift charging to times when electricity is cheaper and demand on the system is lower – such as overnight or other off-peak periods,” Mr Brown said. The intent is that chargers respond to price and network signals while ensuring vehicles are ready when needed.

The Government’s projections say that by 2050, smart EV charging could reduce household power bills by up to $220 a year and avoid up to $4 billion in network costs. Without smarter charging, unmanaged EV charging could lift household peak demand by up to 40 percent and add around $220 a year to the average household bill by 2050, Mr Brown said.

The move will be enabled through amendments to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000. Legislation is expected to be introduced later this year, followed by the usual parliamentary process. MBIE and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) will run public consultation on draft rules before they come into force.

EECA maintains an approved list of chargers that already meet current voluntary standards for smartness and efficiency, providing a guide to products likely to align with the planned direction.

Officials say the change will bring local settings closer to Australia and other key trading partners, including the European Union, the United Kingdom and China, which are moving to regulate smart EV charging.