Issue 1 · 19 October 2026
The EV tax break's 2027 deadline, and the cheapest hour to charge
Hi there,
Welcome to the first proper issue of The EV Insider. It's a short, independent email about EV costs, novated leases and deals in Australia, written by a Melbourne EV driver on a novated lease. Everything we say comes with a source, and nothing here is tax or financial advice.
1. The FBT date to know: 1 April 2027
Eligible EVs on a novated lease are fully exempt from fringe benefits tax for commitments made before 1 April 2027. The 5 May Budget announced a phased change after that:
- For commitments from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029, EVs with a base value of A$75,000 or less keep the full discount. Dearer EVs, up to the fuel-efficient luxury car tax threshold (A$91,661 in 2026–27), get only 25%.
- From 1 April 2029, every eligible EV gets 25%.
- The Government says existing leases won't be affected.
Three things matter right now:
- It isn't law yet. Treasury consulted on draft legislation from 10 to 28 September. As at 19 October we couldn't find a bill introduced to Parliament, and the ATO still says "This measure is not yet law."
- The A$75,000 test uses the car's base value, which isn't the same as the drive-away price.
- Under the draft, changing employer, refinancing or changing your lease term or residual can count as a new commitment, which could lose today's exemption after 1 April 2027.
Plug-in hybrids already lost the exemption for new commitments from 1 April 2025.
What happens after March 2027, with a dollar example: https://theevinsider.au/articles/ev-fbt-exemption-after-march-2027
Sources: ATO · Treasury consultation · Treasury media release · ATO LCT thresholds · Deloitte on the draft · ATO on PHEVs
2. New: a free Novated EV Lease Checklist
It covers questions to ask a provider, what to check in a quote (rate, fees, residual, insurance, early termination, FBT eligibility) and red flags. There's also a table to compare up to three quotes, with a one-click PDF to print: https://theevinsider.au/checklist/
3. Is a novated lease worth it?
It can be. In our example, an EV package of A$13,500 a year saves about A$4,320 in income tax and Medicare levy on a A$100,000 salary (A$13,500 × 32%). The example uses clearly labelled numbers, not a quote. The interest rate, fees, residual and add-on insurance can eat into that saving. Ask for the rate in writing.
The full worked example by salary: https://theevinsider.au/articles/novated-lease-ev-worth-it-2026
Sources: ATO tax rates · ATO EV exemption
4. The cheapest hour to charge
Since 1 October, Victorians with a smart meter can opt in to the Midday Power Saver through most retailers. It gives no-cost power from 11am to 2pm, up to 24 kWh a day. NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia have a similar federal offer, the Solar Sharer. Rates outside the window and supply charges can be higher, so check that it suits your household.
- Best time to charge at home, state by state: https://theevinsider.au/articles/best-time-to-charge-ev-at-home
- Home vs public charging costs in Victoria: https://theevinsider.au/articles/home-vs-public-charging-costs-victoria. On the regulated flat rate in the United Energy zone (27.35c/kWh), home charging is about A$4.81 per 100 km, against about A$9.60 at an example 60c/kWh fast charger. Both assume an example car using 16 kWh per 100 km.
Sources: Victorian Government · Solar Sharer Offer · ESC Victorian Default Offer 2026–27
5. Thinking about a wall charger?
You may not need one. If you do, the average installed price was A$2,280 nationally (A$2,277 in Victoria) in October, according to Solar Choice's installer quote data. We found no cash rebates for home chargers in any state. The only government help still open is in the ACT and NSW, and it isn't a grant (see our guide for details).
Charger types, costs, rules and help by state: https://theevinsider.au/articles/how-to-choose-home-ev-charger-australia
Source: Solar Choice EV Charger Price Index, updated 1 Oct 2026
6. Deal of the Week: 6% off selected BYD EVs on a novated lease
Deal of the Week · Novated lease
BYD is offering 6% off the base list price of eligible Atto 1, Atto 2, Atto 3, Dolphin and Sealion 7 models bought on a novated lease through an approved fleet management organisation. You need to order between 1 October and 21 December 2026 and take delivery by 31 January 2027. On-road costs aren't discounted. Fleet, demonstrator and combined-offer purchases are excluded, and eligibility is only confirmed at delivery. Any weekly cost a provider quotes is its own example and depends on your salary.
Check the terms: https://bydautomotive.com.au/offers
Offer details checked 19 Oct 2026; not a recommendation. No affiliate link.
All articles: https://theevinsider.au/articles/
Got a question for a future issue? Just hit reply.
Cheers,
Tim
The EV Insider
General information only, not tax, financial or legal advice. We don't recommend any provider, and businesses are named for information only. This issue contains no affiliate links. If we ever include one, we'll label it, and our disclosure is at https://theevinsider.au/affiliate-disclosure. You're receiving this because you subscribed at theevinsider.au.