You might have read some publicity about the arrival of a new driving licence called the U class licence having arrived in South Australia for drivers of powerful vehicles on 1st December 2024.
So what is the new law and are you affected if you drive an EV? Check out our guide to everything you need to know:
What is the new law?
The new law saw the introduction of a new driving licence for drivers of Ultra High Performance Vehicles (or UHPVs) known as the U class licence for cars with a power to weight ratio of 276kW per tonne or more.
You might think that the cars that fall into that bracket only tend to be extreme sports cars or supercars but you’d be wrong. Some powerful EVs such as the Tesla Model S Plaid or the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT will also fall into that bracket too.
How do you apply for the new licence and what’s involved?
To apply for a U class licence, first you need to create an account on the mySAGOV site. Once signed in, you can select the course from the drop down menu. It costs AU$51 plus a $10 administration fee and it takes around 30-45 minutes to complete.
During the course you’ll learn how to safely operate an UHPV, the risks associated with driving an UHPV and vehicle features such as Electronic Stability Control, Automated Emergency Braking and other automated intervention systems.
Once you pass the test, you need to apply for a replacement licence at the cost of $20, which will add the U class to your licence.
What happens if you drive an UHPV without a U class licence?
Put simply, don’t. It’s illegal. Driving an UHPV without a U class licence brings with the potential of a penalty of $2500 for a first offence and a year in prison for subsequent offences. It is also the responsibility of the driver to know if their vehicle is an UHPV or not.
The only occasion when you can drive an UHPV without a U class licence is if you are test driving one from a car dealer. If that’s the case you must be accompanied by someone from the dealership who has a U class licence who must be sat in the front passenger seat at all times and the car cannot exceed 100kmh while complying with the relevant speed limit.
Note, these rules only apply to test drives from a car dealer not if you’re buying a UHPV through a private sale.
Are there any exemptions?
The only exemption involves those employed at a motor vehicle-related workplace who are required to drive a UHPV on the road as part of their employment. You can check the exact details of the exemptions here.
A Comparison of Power Outlets, Basic EV Chargers and Smart EV Chargers
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness. However, the method you choose to charge your EV can significantly impact these advantages. In this article, we will explore the differences between charging an EV using a power outlet, a basic EV charger (aka Dumb Chargers) and a Smart EV Charger.
Power Outlets vs. Basic EV Chargers vs. Smart EV Chargers
Charging an EV from a regular home outlet can easily take more than 24hrs depending on the size of the EV battery. This can be a nuisance if you need your vehicle ready tomorrow morning or making the most of overnight / off-peak tariffs. If you are not using a dedicated outlet or the wiring in your home is old or damaged, there is also the risk of fire damage due to the continuous high-power draw over many hours. Still, this configuration might work if you use your EV on an occasional basis. In this case, a dedicated power outlet (10 or 15A) and a portable/trickle charger might do the trick for you, as you will be adding between 10-20km of range every hour.
If you use or are planning to use your EV on a regular basis, a home charger would be a much better option. These chargers use a dedicated circuit, like electric stoves and clothes dryers, and can charge a vehicle in hours instead of days. These chargers can deliver 32A of current and are generally available as a single-phase, 7.4kW; or as a three-phase, 22kW device. This means that you will be able to add between 40 to 100km of range per charging hour, depending on the size of the battery of your EV and your electrical installation.
Do you really need a three-phase / 22kW charger?
First, this will depend on your electrical installation at home. If in doubt, check with your electrician. Something that is often overlooked is the speed of the onboard charger in the EV. Tesla EVs, for example, are equipped with an 11kW onboard charger. This means that, even if you have a three-phase electrical installation at home and a 22kW EV Charger, the charging speed will be limited to 11kW. In the case of BYDs the onboard charger speed is limited to 7kW so, even if you have a three-phase electrical installation at home, we recommend installing a single-phase 7.4kW charger in one of the lines.
Is it worth investing in a Smart EV Charger?
While many of the home EV chargers offer simple plug-and-play functionality, Smart EV Chargers take things further with a range of connected features that allow owners to manage and monitor their vehicle’s charging session remotely:
Smart phone app: usually allows you to control your charger remotely (think start, stop, pause, lock/unlock), set charging schedules and check your charging statistics and estimated costs. The charger’s connectivity is likely to offer Over-the-air (OTA) updates for additional features or app improvements in the future.
Load balancing: considering the electrical current used by a Level 2 EV Charger (32A in most cases), this might cause a constraint in some homes, especially if other high-drain appliances or devices are used at the same time. Load balancing allows to derate the EV Charger to prevent the fuse from tripping and suffering a blackout. The beauty of load balancing is that, once other appliances are turned off and home capacity becomes available, the current through the EV Charger is ramped up again so you can charge at the maximum available speed. Notice that an energy meter or CT clamp will need to be installed in your switchboard to enable this feature. All Ohme chargers come with a CT clamp in the box.
Solar compatibility: if you already have solar panels or planning to install them soon, future-proofing your home with a Solar Compatible charger is a no-brainer. Why pay for the electricity from the grid if you could use your excess solar power to charge your EV? In a different article we will explore how much you can save in each State/Territory when charging your EV with solar energy.
Smarter, Greener, Cheaper
At Ohme we believe in charging the future in a smarter, greener and cheaper way. How does this translate into our EV charging solutions?
Integration with Tesla vehicles: this feature allows you to access the state of charge of your Tesla and other specifications (range, battery size, etc.) to simplify your charging routines. In the example below, the user has entered a target state of charge of 80% and a departure time of 1.28pm. That’s all the information we need, their Ohme will take care of the rest. Stay tuned for more updates as we plan to extend this feature to other EV makes soon.
Dynamic Tariff Integration: Ohme allows you to select your electricity tariff when setting up your charger for the first time or change it if you are moving to a different supplier. You can then forget about your off-peak and peak hours, the Ohme App will only charge your EV when it is greener or cheaper, according to your preferences. You can even set a price cap to ensure that you never charge over that price or override this setting altogether if you need to charge in a hurry. For example, charging a Tesla Model Y Long Range with an 81kWh battery on a full charge with an Ohme smart charger on an off-peak tariff, such as OVO’s The EV Plan, could cost just $6.48. Source: OVO The EV Plan at 0.08c/kWh. This is a unique feature available with Ohme Chargers.
Here is a comparison table outlining the features typically included in each type of home charging method:
Power Outlet (Level 1 Charger)
Basic EV Charger (Level 2)
Smart EV Charger (Level 2)
Uses a standard 10 or 15A household outlet
Uses a dedicated 32A circuit
Uses a dedicated 32A circuit
Slower charging speed
Faster charging speed compared to Level 1
Faster charging speed compared to Level 1
No additional features
No additional features
Internet connectivity (usually via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or both)
Load Balancing
Solar Charging
Smart-phone App control
Remote controls: start, pause, stop the charge. Lock the charger to prevent undesired usage.
Schedule charging sessions
Monitor the state of charge
Review charging statistics and estimated cost savings
Tesla integration: Ohme Chargers offer this integration.
Dynamic Tariff Integration: This is a unique feature available with Ohme Chargers.
In conclusion, the method of charging your EV can significantly impact both the cost and environmental benefits in the long run. Even if Dumb/Basic EV Chargers might be cheaper to begin with, Smart EV chargers offer a range of features that provide convenience and efficiency, while solar charging and dynamic tariff integration with electricity suppliers can deliver substantial cost savings in the long run.
As the popularity of EVs continues to grow, these considerations will become increasingly important for potential and current EV owners.
On a final note, please remember a licensed electrician will be required to install a level 2 charger.
Happy Charging!
Xavier Peña is the Head of Partnerships at Ohme Australia.
Bradley White, Ohme’s Brit down-under, explains the benefits of EV specific Time-of-Use Tariffs…
As more Aussies adopt EVs, understanding how to effectively manage your charging is crucial not only for ease but also for maximising cost savings! One of the easiest ways to do this for most of us is finding a Time-of-Use (TOU) tariff for our residential electricity consumption. I know energy can be boring but believe me – you could be charging your car for as little as $240 all year!
What are Time of Use Tariffs?
Time-of-Use tariffs are pricing plans offered by electricity providers where the cost of electricity varies depending on the time of day. Typically, there are off-peak, shoulder, and peak periods. Off-peak periods, often late at night, early in the morning or right in the middle of the day when there is excess renewable generation, offer lower electricity rates, while peak periods, usually early evening, have higher rates due to increased demand.
However, energy retailers are doing everything they can to secure your business so shop around and see what works best for you. If you work from home and tend to be in during the day, then check out OVO’s EV plan for FREE (yes, FREE!!!) charging between 11:00-14:00. Or, out all day and need to charge at night? Check out Amber’s residential EV plan which allows you to charge when it’s cheapest at night!
Benefits of TOU Tariffs for EV Charging:
1. Cost Savings: Ohme make it easy for you – input your tariff peak/off peak rates into the app and we automatically schedule your EV charging during off-peak hours to take advantage of the lower electricity rates. This can result in significant savings over time compared to charging during peak hours, where rates are higher.
2. Reduced Strain on the Grid: Charging EVs during off-peak hours helps distribute electricity demand more evenly throughout the day. This reduces strain on the electricity grid during peak times, contributing to overall grid stability – so you save money and help the planet (not all heroes wear capes!)
3. Environmental Impact: While not a direct financial benefit, charging during off-peak hours can indirectly support environmental goals. Many off-peak periods align with times when renewable energy sources like wind and solar are more abundant, further reducing your carbon footprint.
How to Get Started:
1. Check with Your Electricity Provider: Contact your electricity provider to inquire about available TOU tariffs. They can provide details on pricing structures, peak and off-peak hours, and any specific requirements for switching to a TOU plan such as needing a smart meter. If they don’t have one – shop around!
2. Input tariff details into the Ohme app: Tell Ohme when you want your car charged by and we’ll have you ready to roll by using the cheapest times to charge. If you have a solar set up at your home – Ohme can integrate this with your energy retail time of use tariff too!
3. Check out your savings in the usage tab: Go to the usage tab on your Ohme app and see your cost savings on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly view! Show off to your friends about what a green machine you are (and how much money you’ve managed to save).
Conclusion:
Time-of-Use tariffs offer Australian homeowners a practical and financially savvy way for managing electricity costs associated with charging electric vehicles. By shifting your charging routine to off-peak hours, you not only save money but also contribute to a more stable and sustainable energy future.
Happy Charging!
Bradley White is the Head of Business Development at Ohme Australia.
Like the Y2K bug that generated unnecessary anxiety, so did my poor planning on a balmy Monday morning in January 2000.
I cautiously give my 1984 Toyota Corolla 1.3DX a tiny bit of choke as it lethargically splutters to life just like my 2-speaker sound system with S Club Party. I thank my brother for letting me crash at his for the weekend after my impromptu self-invite, and only then start contemplating my life choices as I depart his house that has a commanding view of the Helms Deep film set on the hills of Upper Hutt.
Like the Hobbits on that film set I have quite the journey ahead of me; 645km to the Shire called Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) While I didn’t have to contend with Orks, my eyes cannot help but notice the fuel level a touch over ¼ full and a student budget of an overdraft that is in overdraft, so contending with Orks felt like a more enticing option. While there was an air of concern, this wasn’t my first rodeo of hypermiling on a student budget.
And herein lies one of the key reasons range anxiety is at the forefront of EV topics, “the unknown”. Familiarity, and the tried and tested nature of owning and running an ICE vehicle provides that level of reassurance especially with the current state of public charging infrastructure in Australia.
As a result, we see EV marketing focusing on battery size and range to help alleviate the “unknown” it’s not until you start using and familiarising yourself with an EV do you understand it’s limits and ultimately, it’s capability.
I have driven and owned several EV’s over the past 9 years with the most recent being a long-range model and while the additional range is a nice to have, I only purchased this version for the upgraded sound system which is a vast step up from the 2-speaker system in my 84 Corolla. My observations from 2 years of driving a long-range vehicle:
I typically drive 20km or less in 95% of my journeys
I am yet to drive the estimated battery range in a single trip
I have not yet used a public DC fast charger
Smart charging schedules alleviate any concern about the battery SoC (set & forget)
I am suited to a smaller sized battery EV
While my specific case may vary to your own use case, it’s hard to argue that 73%¹ of Australians live in our main metropolitan centres where potentially 95% of their journeys would be anxiety free affairs.
But just like any journey a level of planning may need to be done, there are several online resources that can assist in planning your journey considering things like your type of EV, the battery SoC, public charging locations and topography. A favourite I like to use is A Better Route Planner which takes all the guess work out of longer car journeys.
As Australians familiarise themselves with the capabilities and benefits of EV’s you will see range anxiety will soon enough be relegated to history like Y2K.
Reece Davis is the Head of Sales at Ohme Australia.
Who does not want a simpler life? Maybe DIY enthusiasts but that’s not the point.
Getting an EV is an exciting endeavour, especially today when there are so many affordable and fantastic EV offerings on the market and pairing it with a smart EV charger makes the experience a whole lot better.
An EV charger needs to be installed by a licensed electrician; a skilled tradesperson who has the legal mandate and knowledge to safely install the device.
At Ohme, we work with several licensed electricians across Australia, who become our Approved Installation Partners. Based on the countless feedback we have received from them; we can safely say that every installer out there wants a simple commissioning process for EV chargers.
Because let’s be honest, spending ages commissioning an EV charger is borderline criminal, not just because a shorter commissioning time has a range of benefits, but simply because people have better things to do.
Hence commissioning the Ohme chargers using our intuitive installer portal takes less than 5 minutes. The simple configuration steps allow you to quickly scan the charger QR code, test the CT clamp on site and enter power settings.
This is key for our installation partners, as it comes with loads of benefits:
Time efficiency: Streamlining the commissioning process speeds up charger installation, allowing more jobs per day.
Less Complexity: Simplified steps mean less time spent troubleshooting and configuring the system.
Cost Savings: Quick installations mean less site time and the ability to test the CT clamp on site prevents return visits, saving both time and money.
Customer Satisfaction: Everyone appreciates a quick and efficient service; this leads to better reviews and higher satisfaction.
So, if you are looking for a smart EV charger to pair with your EV or interested in becoming an Ohme approved installer. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us on [email protected]
Doshab Siddiqui is the Technical Presales Engineer at Ohme Australia.
Xavier Peña is head of partnerships for Ohme Australia. Here he explains why novated leasing, EVs and you are a great three-way partnership and the savings you can make:
What is a novated lease and how does it work?
A novated lease is a type of salary sacrifice where your company pays for your car lease to a finance company, and then takes the amount of the payment out of your wages.
The lease payment comes out of your gross income before you pay any tax, thus reducing your taxable income. This can be more financially beneficial than compared to paying the same leasing cost out of your normal post-tax salary.
What are EVs so attractive for novated leasing?
Novated leasing for EVs in Australia has become increasingly appealing since July 2022 due to the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption.
The FBT exemption is specifically tailored for EVs and means that employers are not required to pay the 47% FBT on eligible electric cars and their associated expenses, so it represents some significant cost savings.
What are the different types of novated lease available?
There are two different types of novated lease to consider. The first is called a Non-Maintained novated lease where only the purchase price and finance costs are included in the leasing repayments. All of the rest of the running costs are paid by the driver normally.
The second is called a Fully-Maintained novated lease and this includes the purchase price and finance costs as above but also the running expenses as well. So, this means maintenance such as servicing and tires, your insurance and even the electricity used to charge your EV (calculated versus your odometer readings and reimbursement via the ATO’s 4.2c/km official rate).
The cost of the EV Charger and its installation are not considered part of the running expenses unfortunately. However, investing in a smart charger that is solar compatible, like the Ohme ePod, can save you quite a lot of money on running costs in the long run.
Are all EVs exempt from Fringe Benefits tax on a novated lease?
As long as the retail sale price of the EV is below the luxury car tax threshold for fuel-efficient cars (currently $91,387 for 2024/25), then it’s exempt. Until 1 April 2025, all Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs) are exempt. For Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), the FBT Exemption will be reconsidered in July 2027 and it will depend on the adoption rate of electric mobility in Australia at that stage.
Anything else I need to be aware of?
If you leave your employer at any point during the novated lease period, then you need to remember that you are still responsible for the lease payments, unless your new employer picks up the lease.
The FBT Exemption initiative by the Federal Government has promoted the uptake of EVs, especially among companies and fleet operators. These electric vehicles will soon hit the second-hand market, making this sustainable tech more accessible to a broader population.
