NECA highlights concerns with EV charging market

At a recent NSW Parliament inquiry, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has aired some of its concerns about the EV charging market — specifically in relation to the influence of electricity network operators.

The organisation believes that limited transparency, shared staffing and commercial conduct may be disadvantaging independent contractors and undermining fair competition.

NECA’s Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, Kent Johns, appeared with Neil Roberts, NECA Director of Policy, Technical and Safety, before the NSW Parliament’s Inquiry into EV Infrastructure to provide evidence on behalf of the electrotechnology industry.

NECA made it clear to the inquiry that, in its view, the current ring-fencing framework is not keeping pace.

As defined by the Australian Energy Regulator, ring-fencing exists to separate regulated services provided by a distributed network services provider (DNSP), eg, installation/maintenance of network poles and wires, from the provision of contestable services by a DNSP (such as the installation of smart meters) or an affiliated entity.

According to NECA, the current ring-fencing arrangement contains too many exemptions, lacks strong enforcement, and does not provide the separation needed between monopoly services and competitive markets.

The organisation highlighted the opportunity to strengthen local industry. “Australia has innovative manufacturers producing high-quality EV charging equipment. These businesses support jobs and regional economies, but are too often overlooked in favour of cheaper options with limited long-term value,” said NECA CEO Oliver Judd.

NECA called on the NSW Government to take a stronger role in oversight. “Network operators should focus on core responsibilities such as reliability, maintenance and housing connections,” Judd said. “Any commercial activity in the EV space must be clearly separated, transparent and accountable.”

There was also a risk, NECA said, that EV infrastructure costs could be added to the regulated asset base — which would result in all electricity customers, including those who may never own an EV, subsidising network-led charging infrastructure through their power bills.

Judd emphasised that the current regulatory oversight was not sufficient to ensure accountability, and that having electricity users subsidising network operator-owned EV infrastructure was not equitable and should not be allowed.

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