EV Charging Vandalism Is Real — Here's the Honest Picture
A man has been charged with damaging nearly a dozen EV charging stations. We look at what this means for EV drivers considering a novated lease. Read more.
A 29-year-old man has been charged with damaging nearly a dozen EV charging stations and stealing multiple plugs and cables — including from Tesla Superchargers — according to a report by The Driven [Source 1]. It's an isolated incident, but it's the kind of story that gets forwarded to your group chat with a caption like "see, EVs aren't ready."
Let's be straight about it: charging infrastructure vandalism is a real nuisance. It causes genuine disruption for EV drivers. It's also not a reason to dismiss EVs as a practical vehicle choice in 2026.
What this means for novated lease customers
If you're weighing up an EV on a novated lease, charging reliability is a fair thing to think about. A few honest points worth knowing:
Redundancy is better than it was. Australia's fast-charging network has expanded significantly. Tesla's Supercharger network, third-party networks like Chargefox and Ampol AmpCharge, and destination chargers mean that a single vandalised station rarely strands you the way it might have in 2020.
Home charging removes most of the dependency. The majority of EV drivers on novated leases charge at home overnight. Workplace charging is also increasingly common. Public fast chargers are typically used for longer trips — not the daily commute.
Lease running costs account for charging. A properly structured novated lease packages your estimated charging costs (including home electricity top-ups) into your pre-tax salary deductions. Vandalism-related detours don't change the fundamental tax treatment — but they're worth factoring into your mental model of EV ownership.
The short version: one incident involving a bad actor does not materially change the case for or against leasing an EV. The FBT exemption on eligible EVs remains in place [note: confirm current policy status with your millarX consultant], and the potential savings from pre-tax salary packaging are still real.
Common questions
Does charging infrastructure damage affect my novated lease agreement?
No. Your novated lease is a financial arrangement between you, your employer, and the finance provider. Damage to public charging stations has no bearing on your lease terms, repayments, or tax treatment.
What happens if a public charger is unavailable when I need it?
Most EV drivers handle this the same way a petrol driver handles a closed servo — they use the next available option. With home charging covering the majority of daily needs, public charger availability is mainly a concern for long-distance travel.
Is the EV FBT exemption still available in 2026?
The FBT exemption for eligible low and zero-emission vehicles has been a key part of the EV novated lease case. Eligibility rules can change — speak directly with a millarX consultant to confirm current status for your specific vehicle.
Should I choose a Tesla on a novated lease given Supercharger theft risks?
Tesla's Supercharger network remains one of the most extensive fast-charging networks in Australia. Isolated vandalism incidents are unfortunate but don't fundamentally alter the network's reliability. Vehicle choice should be based on your driving needs, budget, and eligible models — not a single news story.
Where can I see which EVs are eligible for the FBT exemption?
Eligibility depends on vehicle price relative to the luxury car tax threshold and the date of the lease agreement. millarX can walk you through which models currently qualify when you get a quote.