Origin has unveiled a suite of new EV customer solutions targeted at increasing the number of EVs on the roads by making EVs more affordable and delivering savings on home charging.
Origin E-Mobility General Manager Chau Le stated that Origin is committed to putting more EVs on the road. To do so, Chau Lee highlighted the need to make EVs cheaper and support customers throughout their EV journey.
“We know that cost is a major barrier preventing many people from making the switch to EVs, which is why we are providing affordable and flexible alternatives to car ownership, and making it cheaper for customers to charge their vehicles,” Le said.
According to Origin, its new flexible all-inclusive salary packaged EV subscription plan enables clients to switch to an EV without committing to purchasing a vehicle or long-term leases.
With month-to-month contract options, Origin stated that the company makes it simple for consumers to switch vehicles as needed while also benefiting from tax savings through salary packaging that utilises the recently created Fringe Benefit Tax exemption for EVs.
Customers who sign up for the EV subscription plan will also have access to Origin’s EV Energy Plan, which offers eligible customers five hours of free energy between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and off-peak energy rates between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
The plan will be offered only to qualifying consumers who sign up for the subscription plan and customers who purchase a smart EV charger from Origin and Audi e-tron customers as part of the businesses’ new relationship.
The EV Energy Plan is designed to motivate EV owners to charge their vehicles when energy demand across the National Energy Market (NEM) is lowest and wholesale energy costs are lowest, rather than charging during the evening peak when wholesale prices are higher.
Other initiatives announced were:
- Origin is offering Smart EV Chargers, which customers may use to help automate the charging of their vehicles and make the most of the EV Energy Plan. Smart chargers can also be hooked into Loop, Origin’s Virtual Power Plant, to benefit clients.
- A collaboration with public charging network JOLT in which Origin will offer 100% GreenPower to match the electricity utilised at JOLT’s network of charging stations. Origin customers who use JOLT chargers can choose to pay for the charging on their Origin power account, making it easier for users to manage the cost of their charging both at home and on the road.
- A collaboration with Audi will enable Audi e-tron users to access the Origin 360 EV Energy Plan with 100% GreenPower for 12 months, as well as a special discount on smart EV chargers, to provide Audi EV owners with smarter and cleaner charging alternatives.
“Origin now has a range of solutions to support a wide range of customers in their transition to EVs including small and large business customers, residents in apartment complexes and home owners,” added Le. “We can help people get in their first EV affordably and help them get the most out of it with charging solutions at their home, office or while on the road.”
According to Origin, over the last two years, Origin 360 EV has assisted a variety of customers, including Healius and Uniting Care NSW, in beginning the transition of their commercial fleets to EVs, as well as working with several body corporates and strata managers to provide charging infrastructure and EV car share services for tenants.
“Transport remains the third highest emitting sector in Australia, and so the electrification of transport will play a critical role in Australia achieving its ambition to decarbonise the economy towards a long-term goal to be net zero by 2050 or sooner,” Le said.
