A number of smart and managed EV charging methods will be tested by 300 users across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

A statement from Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said the trial was meant to look at speeding up the commercialisation of different charging technologies by understanding how they were used at residences.

It will also attempt to understand how an EV can store a charge and provide it back to the grid and look shifting EV charging to off-peak periods to lessen the strain on the grid.

“As the uptake of electric vehicles continues in Australia, we are investing in the technology and infrastructure required to ensure motorists can access what is best for them,” said Taylor.

“By testing new charging technologies within the home, we will better understand the impact EVs could have on our networks and how to save consumers money as they charge.

“The government is backing a range of technologies, not picking one winner. This follows our ‘technology not taxes’ approach to reducing emissions.”

The cost of the project, provided through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, will be $8.25 million, with $2.9 million for this part of the exercise.

Energy provider AGL is contributing $5.3 million for the trial, which also involves project partners JET Charge, Chargefox and FlexCharging and a number of distribution networks.

The statement said about 6700 EVs were sold in Australia in 2019 and sales continued to increase in 2020.

It said trials such as this would ensure that EVs could be successfully integrated into the electricity networks to minimise any impacts on other energy users.