The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) supports the Western Australian government's efforts to ensure fair application of embedded networks (ENs), emphasizing equality in regulatory oversight. The EVC acknowledges the benefits of ENs, particularly for apartment complexes, as they provide a cost-effective and space-efficient method for introducing EV charging and renewable energy solutions due to less stringent metering requirements.
For small customers, the EVC welcomes the policy's focus on improving the existing EN structure, which facilitates the installation of EV chargers and accelerates EV uptake.
Regarding non-residential customers consuming more than 50 MWh per year, the EVC endorses the option for them to obtain a separate master meter at their own cost. This measure ensures access to competitive retail electricity offers and protections, addressing a significant barrier for businesses like chargepoint operators (CPOs) deploying EV chargers in shopping complexes. The EVC argues that this approach should also be extended to other customer classes facing similar market access issues.
The EVC notes that the current license exemption for electric vehicle charging stations is working effectively, with CPOs successfully deploying infrastructure and EV drivers benefiting from increased access. This has contributed to higher EV uptake, which ultimately benefits the industry through consumer confidence, efficient infrastructure utilization, and increased revenue. The department's plan to seek input from CPOs and real-world examples over the next three years is welcomed, and the EVC is ready to assist during this consultation period.
For further discussion, contact office@evc.org.au.
