Monash experts advise Parliament on smarter EV charging

Researchers from Monash Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering recently shared expert insights with the Victorian Parliament on how to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.

Appearing before the Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee’s inquiry into electricity supply for EVs, Professor Hai Vu and Associate Professor Roger Dargaville highlighted practical steps to make charging easier, cheaper and better aligned with renewable energy.

Professor Vu noted that vehicles sit parked for most of the day, presenting a major opportunity for convenient charging. “If you own a car, then probably you're only using the car maybe less than 5% of the time. The rest is basically stationary,” he said, explaining that improving access to charging at homes and workplaces could solve a significant part of the challenge.

Associate Professor Dargaville emphasised the importance of smart charging that aligns EV demand with renewable energy supply. “If you optimise when EVs charge… the optimal shape of charging EVs to match availability of renewables is during the day to match up with the solar profile,” he told the Committee, noting that doing so can reduce costs and pressure on the grid.

The panel also highlighted the need for simple, automated charging systems and clearer consumer information on tariffs to support broader EV adoption across Victoria. The Committee will table its final report later this year.

Learn more about the inquiry here.