Australia’s electric vehicle industry has reached another major milestone, with EVs now accounting for more than 20% of all new vehicle sales for the first time.
The announcement came during the EV Infrastructure Summit Sydney, where energy companies, government agencies, charging providers and technology innovators outlined how Australia’s charging network is rapidly evolving.
The summit showcased three developments expected to shape the next decade of electric transport:
- Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology that allows EV owners to earn money by supplying electricity back to the grid.
- Apartment charging solutions designed to accelerate EV adoption in high-density housing.
- A world-first Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) charger capable of providing emergency roadside charging without requiring a tow truck.
The event signals Australia’s transition from simply selling electric vehicles to building the infrastructure required for mass adoption.
Australia EV Market Continues Record Growth
Australia’s electric vehicle market recorded another record month, driven by strong deliveries from Tesla and BYD.
Industry figures presented during the summit showed:
- EV market share now exceeds 20%
- Nearly 50% of all new vehicles sold contain a battery, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids
- BYD recently delivered 5,000 vehicles, with approximately 70% sold before arriving
- Tesla Model Y deliveries significantly boosted monthly registrations
Industry experts believe infrastructure investment must now keep pace with rapidly growing EV ownership.
Vehicle-to-Grid Could Earn Australians $3,000 Per Year
One of the biggest announcements focused on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology.
Unlike traditional charging, V2G allows electric vehicles to send stored electricity back into the power grid during periods of high demand.
According to Amber’s pilot program:
- EV owners could earn between $2,000 and $3,000 annually
- The current trial will expand from 50 households to 1,000
- More than 7,000 Australians have already joined the waiting list
Experts believe bidirectional charging could become standard across new EVs within the next three to five years, depending on vehicle manufacturers and charging standards.
Australia Looks to the Netherlands for a Proven V2G Model
Portia Rooney from Net Zero Engineering Solutions highlighted how the Netherlands has already commercialised V2G technology.
The Dutch company We Drive Solar now operates approximately 500 bidirectional charging systems, allowing Renault electric vehicles to support the local electricity network while parked.
Australia is expected to follow a similar model as interoperability standards mature and more manufacturers support bidirectional charging.
Apartment EV Charging No Longer a Technical Challenge
Apartment charging remains one of Australia’s biggest barriers to EV adoption.
However, the ACT Government says the technology already exists.
Alex Killeen explained that underground apartment car parks are actually among the lowest-cost environments for installing EV chargers because they require minimal civil works while allowing sophisticated load management systems.
Instead of upgrading entire electrical networks, apartment buildings can install charging infrastructure progressively as residents purchase electric vehicles.
Government-backed pilot projects have already demonstrated that charging can be deployed at scale without overwhelming building electrical systems.
ACT Emerges as Australia’s EV Leader
The Australian Capital Territory continues to lead national EV adoption.
Current Statistics
| Metric | ACT |
|---|---|
| EV share of vehicle fleet | Nearly 5% |
| New EV sales | 36.5% |
| Target by 2030 | 80% |
| Target by 2035 | 100% |
Government officials attribute this success to consistent long-term policy, investment in charging infrastructure and public education rather than ongoing subsidies.
World-First EV Rescue Charger Eliminates Need for Tow Trucks
Perhaps the summit’s most innovative announcement came from Alpine Energy.
The company introduced the MGEN M40, described as the world’s first commercial Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) DC fast charger.
The portable charging unit can:
- Deliver approximately 65 km of driving range
- Recharge a stranded EV in around 15 minutes
- Operate directly from a hybrid support vehicle
- Eliminate the need for specialist EV towing
The technology has already attracted interest from roadside assistance providers, utility companies and emergency services.
Industry experts believe mobile charging could become an important part of Australia’s regional EV infrastructure.
Why This Matters for Australian EV Owners
The summit highlighted an important shift in Australia’s electric vehicle market.
Until recently, industry growth centred on vehicle sales.
The next phase will focus on:
- Expanding public charging infrastructure
- Enabling apartment charging
- Integrating EVs into Australia’s electricity grid
- Developing emergency roadside charging solutions
- Creating new revenue opportunities for EV owners through Vehicle-to-Grid technology
As Australia’s EV fleet continues to grow, these technologies will become essential for improving reliability, reducing charging costs and strengthening the national electricity network.
Expert Take
Rather than asking “Can Australia sell more EVs?”, the industry is now asking:
“Can Australia’s electricity infrastructure support millions of EVs?”
The technologies presented at the EV Infrastructure Summit suggest the answer is increasingly yes.
Vehicle-to-Grid systems, apartment charging solutions and mobile emergency charging are moving beyond pilot programs and into commercial deployment, positioning Australia for the next phase of electric vehicle adoption.
