Free Daytime Electricity is Coming: A Game-Changer for EV Owners in Australia

Starting July 2026, Australian households will gain access to three hours of free electricity during the middle of the day under the federal government's new Solar Sharer program. For electric vehicle (EV) owners who can charge during daylight hours, this initiative represents a significant opportunity to slash charging costs.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that power companies will be required to offer these free power plans to all households,whether they have solar panels or not, as long as they have a smart meter and opt into the program.

According to government estimates (and zecar's analysis), households could save up to $800 annually by strategically using the free power window, particularly EV ownerswho are perfectly positioned to capture these savings.

Why EV Owners Benefit Most

Electric vehicles are among the most power-hungry household items, typically requiring 7-11 kWh to add 50-60 km of range. Compare this to less power hungry household appliances such as fridges, washing machines, pool pumps and you can see why EV owners benefit the most. Charging an EV during the three-hour free power window could deliver substantial savings:

• Home charging rate: 7 kW (single-phase) to 22 kW (three-phase) if wall charger installed
• Potential free charging: 21-66 kWh per day during the free window
• Annual savings: Up to $800 for households that maximize the free period

Work-from-home professionals, shift workers, retirees, and anyone with flexible schedules can take full advantage of midday charging. By way of example, to fully cover the average distance driven (37 km/day), an EV owner would need to be plugged in (via a 7kW wall charger) two to three days per week during this time window.

Fleet operators and businesses with back to base operations during the day could also significantly reduce their charging costs.

Combining with the Best EV Electricity Plans

While the Solar Sharer program offers free midday power, savvy EV owners should also consider specialised EV electricity plans to maximise savings across all charging times. Many retailers now offer plans specifically designed for electric vehicle owners, featuring:

• Super off-peak rates for overnight charging (as low as 8¢/kWh)
• Time-of-use tariffs that reward flexible charging behavior
• Solar feed-in bonuses for households with rooftop panels

If energy retailers decided to combine the Solar Sharer program's free daytime power with cheap overnight charging, drivers can ensure they're getting the best rates whether they charge during the day or overnight. For example, instead of charging your EV overnight you could schedule your appliances such as pool pumps to take advantage of low overnight rates. Some "EV electricity" plans however only permit EV chagring during these windows, whereas others have no such limitation.

For a comprehensive comparison of available options, check out our guide to the best EV electricity plans in Australia, which breaks down rates, features, and potential savings across major retailers.

What You'll Need

To access the Solar Sharer program:

• Smart meter: Essential for tracking time-of-use consumption
• Opt-in enrollment: The free power plans won't be automatic under existing contracts
• Eligible location: Initially available in NSW, South Australia, and southeast Queensland

The federal government is also working to extend the program to Victoria and Western Australia.

The Australian Energy Regulator has been instructed to prevent retailers from offsetting the free power by inflating rates during other times of the day. However, consumers should carefully compare plans to ensure they're genuinely benefiting.

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Smart Charging Tips

• Install a programmable/smart EV charger or use your vehicle's scheduled charging feature to automatically charge during the free window
• Monitor your charging patterns to understand how much power you typically need
• Combine with home solar if possible, use your own solar generation outside the free window and save the free grid power for other appliances
• Compare multiple plans before committing to ensure the Solar Sharer plan works with your overall usage pattern

For EV owners who can't charge during the day, traditional off-peak overnight charging plans may still offer better value, with rates as low as 8-10¢/kWh during overnight hours.

Maximising Savings with V2G and Bidirectional Charging

The real game-changer comes when you pair Solar Sharer with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. Bidirectional charging transforms your EV from an energy consumer into a profitable asset:

1. Charge for free during the day using Solar Sharer's three-hour window
2. Sell back during peak times (4-9pm) when electricity prices spike to $300+ per MWh
3. Earn $1,000-$2,000 annually based on early Australian V2G trials

What You Need

• V2G-capable EV (Compatible models to be confirmed.)
• Bidirectional charger (StarCharge, Sigenergy, Red Earth etc.)
• V2G-friendly electricity plan (AGL, Amber, and others developing tariffs)

Major trials are already underway with AGL, Amber, and BYD proving V2G works now. By July 2026 when Solar Sharer launches, V2G could be widely accessible.

Getting Ready for July 2026

EV owners can start preparing now:

• Check if you have a smart meter (contact your electricity distributor)
• Review your current electricity plan and compare it with EV-specific options
• Assess your charging patterns to determine if daytime charging is feasible
• Consider upgrading your home charging equipment to enable scheduled charging

The Solar Sharer program represents a significant opportunity for Australian EV owners to reduce their charging costs while supporting the nation's renewable energy transition. Combined with the right EV electricity plan, free daytime power could make running an electric vehicle cheaper than ever before.