EVs Aren't Killing the Grid — They Might Just Save It
New analysis says EVs could stabilise Australia's electricity grid, not strain it. Here's what that means if you're considering a novated lease on an EV.
There's a persistent myth doing the rounds: that electric vehicles will overwhelm Australia's electricity grid the moment enough people plug in at 6pm. A piece published by The Driven on 5 June 2026 pushes back hard on that framing — and the argument is worth understanding if you're weighing up a novated lease on an EV.
According to the analysis from The Driven, EVs aren't a threat to grid stability — they're potentially the missing piece of a cleaner, cheaper electricity system. The key condition: we have to design the system to let them play that role. Smart charging, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, and time-of-use pricing can turn a parked EV from a passive load into a flexible energy asset.
What this means for novated lease customers
If you're an Australian PAYG employee thinking about salary packaging an EV through a novated lease, the grid conversation matters for two practical reasons.
First, running costs. The case for an EV novated lease already includes the FBT exemption on eligible zero- or low-emission vehicles (legislated under the Treasury Laws Amendment Act, introduced post-2022 budget). But the total cost story also includes your electricity bill. If smarter grid infrastructure — enabled in part by growing EV uptake — puts downward pressure on electricity prices over time, the running cost advantage of an EV gets stronger, not weaker.
Second, future-proofing. V2G-capable vehicles are starting to reach the Australian market. A novated lease typically runs three to five years. Choosing a V2G-ready model now means you're positioned to participate in any demand-response or export schemes that emerge during your lease term — potentially turning your car into a modest household energy asset on top of its transport function. We're not promising dollar figures here; the market for V2G services in Australia is still developing. But the directional logic is sound.
Common questions
Will charging my EV at home actually stress the grid?
Not if you charge smart. The concern is unmanaged simultaneous charging at peak demand times. Smart chargers and time-of-use tariffs shift charging to off-peak windows — overnight or during solar-heavy midday periods — which reduces grid pressure rather than adding to it.
What is vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and does it affect my novated lease?
V2G allows a compatible EV to export stored energy back to the grid or your home. It doesn't change the tax treatment or structure of a novated lease, but it can influence which vehicle you choose — and potentially reduce your overall energy costs during the lease term.
Is the FBT exemption for EVs still in place?
As of the date of this article, eligible zero- and low-emission vehicles under the novated lease FBT exemption remain exempt from fringe benefits tax, subject to the luxury car threshold and other conditions. Check the ATO's current guidance or speak to us directly, as policy can change.
Does millarX only do EV novated leases?
No — millarX handles novated leases across petrol, hybrid, and electric vehicles. That said, EVs often produce the strongest tax outcome under the current FBT exemption, which is why we talk about them a lot.
How do I know if an EV novated lease is actually worth it for me?
It depends on your income, how much you drive, and the vehicle you choose. The best way to find out is to run the numbers through a comparison — we do that without the upsell pressure.