More clean energy key to fuel security: EV advocates

Electric vehicle advocates have called on governments to preserve EV-uptake incentives and boost clean energy generated electricity such as rooftop solar, and guarantee fuel security through electrification.

March 5, 2026 Ev Foley

Demonstrating Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology in CSIRO's Renewable Energy Integration Facility, Newcastle.

Image: CSIRO

The volunteer-run, not-for-profit Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) has responded to the impact of conflict in the Persian Gulf and Levant regions on fuel prices, by saying independence from liquid fossil fuels is an energy security priority.

The AEVA says governments at all levels “should not waver on their commitments to electrification across all sectors, including transport, and affordable, clean electricity.”

AEVA National President James Pickering said electric vehicles (EV) have always been about fuel security.

“Fifty-three years ago, AEVA was formed by a team of scientists, engineers, energy and transport professionals, and ordinary Australians; all with the collective goal of advancing electric alternatives to liquid fossil fuels. Our objectives today remain unchanged, and the circumstances motivating us are sadly unchanged, too,” Pickering said.

“Australia now has over 120 different makes and models of EV, and many more light commercial vehicles to come. We have some of the world’s cheapest new EVs, and a growing second-hand market.”

In light of petrol price rises driven by conflict affecting the Gulf States, the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) is also calling on federal and state governments to strengthen support for EVs and protect the Electric Car Discount (ECD).

Chief Executive Officer Julie Delvecchio said EVs cut transport costs for households by up to $3,000 (USD 2,122) per year and the ECD has helped more than 114,000 vehicle owners switch to EVs.

Delvecchio said electric EVs are cheaper to run and don’t face the same exposure to global oil shocks.

“Their fuel is electricity – often cheaper off-peak and free for households with rooftop solar. Add lower servicing costs and EVs protect families from the rollercoaster of global petrol prices,” Delvecchio said.

EV car owners are shielded from oil price volatility by more stable electricity prices powered increasingly by Australian-made renewable energy, the EVC says.

Australia’s lead scientific body, the CSIRO, recently launched a $3 million upgrade to its renewable energy facility at CSIRO’s Newcastle Energy Centre, which includes the ability to run large-scale experiments combining solar, batteries and EVs.

One of its demonstrations is vehicle-to-grid technology (V2G), which uses EVs as flexible batteries to store excess solar energy and return power to the grid during peak periods.

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