NRMA to end free electric-car charging this week

The National Roads and Motorists' Association – more commonly known as the NRMA – has announced it will no longer offer free charging for electric-car drivers, as it moves to a smartphone payment system from this week.

In June 2023, electric-car publication The Driven reported the NRMA would no longer offer free charging to electric-car owners across its network of 50kW fast chargers “towards the end of 2023”.

In a media statement released today, the NRMA – which claims to have more than 2.7 million members in Australia – said it will “commence a payment system for the use of its fast charging network from this week”, with the intention of completing the roll-out by the end of October.

MORE: How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Australia?

From 27 September 2023, it will cost 54 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electric-car drivers to use the NRMA’s chargers which are capable of charging at 150kW or less.

For its 175kW-plus ultra-fast chargers, electric-car drivers will have to pay 59 cents per kWh.

For comparison, electric-car charging giant Chargefox’s prices vary from 0-30c/kWh for standard AC chargers (up to 22kW), 40c/kWh for rapid DC chargers (up to 50kW), and 60c/kWh for ultra-rapid DC chargers (up to 350kW).

Electric-car giant Tesla charges 79 cents per kilowatt-hour for drivers of non-Tesla cars to use its 'Superchargers' across 30 sites in Australia, or 66 cents per kilowatt-hour for non-Tesla drivers who pay a $9.99/month subscription.

The NRMA’s move towards requiring electric-car owners to pay to charge their vehicles comes amid complaints from motorists who have experienced lengthy delays at the charging stations, as the incentive of free energy attracts a large number of drivers.

According to the NRMA, its members will receive a 10 per cent discount on the charging prices once the payment system’s roll-out is completed – bringing the cost down to 49c/kWh and 53c/kWh respectively.

To access the NRMA’s chargers, electric-car owners will be required to use the company’s smartphone application – available to download here.

As of September 2023, the NRMA has more than 50 charging stations along major highways connecting regional hubs in New South Wales and border regions.

In April 2023, the NRMA announced it would partner with the Australian Government to spend $78.6 million on funding an additional 117 fast-charging locations around the country – not just in New South Wales.