√Home electric-car charging to be controlled by authorities under controversial Queensland proposal

Electric-vehicle advocates have slammed a proposal by state-owned Energy Queensland that would allow the authority to switch off home car chargers during periods of high electricity demand.

Electric-car owners in Queensland could unexpectedly find their vehicles with an empty battery, thanks to a draft proposal that would give authorities the ability to switch off chargers during peak periods of electricity usage.

Energy Queensland – the state-owned organisation representing electricity companies – has put forward the idea in a draft of the Queensland Electricity Connection Manual, which outlines regulations for electricians and installers.

First reported by The Guardian newspaper, the change would require electric-car charges to have the ability to be controlled remotely, allowing the authority to shut-off recharging at its discretion.

In February 2023, a heatwave across Queensland caused the Australian Energy Market Operator to reduce demand on the electricity grid at the time, in an effort to stop blackouts across the state.

If such a situation were to occur again, electric-car owners in the state could unexpectedly find their vehicle doesn’t have enough range when it comes time to drive somewhere.

However, the proposed changes would also allow Energy Queensland to turn on electric-car chargers and increase the flow of power if there were a surplus of electricity.

If enacted, it’s believed Queensland would be the only jurisdiction in the world with the capability to turn off and on home chargers.

MORE: Queensland’s $6000 subsidy for new electric-car purchases has started

It’s not clear whether control of the chargers would be extended to government facilities – with both the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and the Queensland Police Service both using electric vehicles in their fleets.

The proposal has been criticised by electric-vehicle advocates, who claim the move would undermine confidence in the emerging market.

“We are concerned the proposed changes to [electric vehicle supply equipment] installation may deter consumers from investing in [electric vehicles],” the Clean Energy Council wrote in its submission.

Similarly, the Electric Vehicle Council said the proposal shows Energy Queensland families “can’t be trusted to manage their own [electric vehicle] charging in their own homes”.

“The [council] takes the view that forcing consumers to accept external control of [electric vehicle] charging in their home is entirely unnecessary at a technical level … and that it’s also unjustifiable at an economic level,” it wrote in its submission.

“It will only serve to reduce confidence among people considering an [electric vehicle].”

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Queensland currently has a target of electric cars forming 50 per cent of the state’s new-car market by 2030, with the State Government subsidising the purchase of battery-powered models by up to $6000.

In its submission, the Electric Vehicle Council also cited studies conducted by Energy Queensland which claim electric vehicles would have a minimal impact on the grid – even by 2030.

Public consultation on the proposed changes closed on 27 July 2023.

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