The Lexus RZ500e Sports Luxury looking right at home on Hastings street. Disclosure: Lexus Australia lent us the RZ 500e Sports Luxury for 3 days and invited us to an Encore owners' dinner. Lexus did not pay for this review and did not see it before publication. Key Facts: Lexus RZ 500e Sports Luxury Price: $91,000 before on-road costs (RZ 500e Luxury: $84,500 before on-road costs) Power: 280 kW from two electric motors, all-wheel drive 0 to 100 km/h: 4.6 seconds (claimed) Battery: 74.7 kWh lithium-ion Official range: 460 km (WLTP) Our test: about 300 km, Brisbane to Mapleton, Noosa and back, on one charge, with 80 km of range still showing Charging: up to 22 kW AC and up to 150 kW DC Warranty: 5 years/unlimited km; battery 8 years/160,000 km, with cover extendable to 10 years Servicing: capped at $395 per service for five years Do Buy if: you want a quick, quiet, beautifully finished EV with real buttons Don't Buy if: you need a full-size spare You've heard the pitch. Luxury EV, quiet, quick, no more petrol stations. Then you see the price, the range claim and the fine print on the battery warranty, and the doubts creep in. Will it actually get you to the coast and back? Is it worth $91,000 when the same money buys a well-specced petrol SUV? We wanted real answers, so we took the Lexus RZ 500e Sports Luxury on a trip plenty of South East Queenslanders do every weekend: Brisbane up to Mapleton in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, across to Noosa and home again. About 300 km on one charge, through suburban streets, range roads and 110 km/h freeway. We also sat down with a Lexus sales consultant, then checked every claim against Lexus's own published figures. Here's what we found: How We Tested the RZ 500e Our car was the RZ 500e Sports Luxury, the higher of the two RZ 500e grades. We drove it for a week in October 2026, including a loop from Brisbane up the Bruce Highway to Mapleton, across to Noosa and back to Brisbane. We also interviewed Jeremy Pereira, Sales Consultant, Lexus Indooroopilly. Where what he told us differed from what Lexus publishes, we've gone with Lexus's figures and shown both in the table further down. Performance: Quick, and Properly Smooth There's no frunk, but there is this. The RZ 500e makes 280 kW from two electric motors, one driving each axle. Lexus calls the all-wheel-drive system DIRECT4, and it constantly shuffles drive between the front and rear wheels, anywhere from 60:40 to 0:100 depending on conditions. Lexus claims 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The number matters less than how it arrives. "All electric cars are quick, but the power delivery is different," Jeremy told us. He's right. Squeeze the pedal and the RZ surges forward smoothly, without the head-snapping lurch some EVs serve up. On the Bruce Highway at 110 km/h it's settled and quiet. Around suburban Brisbane it's easy to place and easy to live with. It handled everything we threw at it without fuss. Real-World Range: Brisbane to Noosa and Back on One Charge Lexus quotes 460 km of range on the WLTP test. WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) is the standard laboratory test used to compare EV range, and real-world figures usually come in lower. We drove the car exactly as Lexus handed it over, with 405 km of range showing on the dash, the same way you'd head off on a weekend trip without topping up first. After about 300 km of driving, through the hinterland, Noosa and a long run home at 110 km/h, the dash still showed 80 km. Measure Result Official range (WLTP, Lexus) 460 km Range showing at pick-up 405 km Distance driven About 300 km Range showing when we got home 80 km Indicated range used 325 km So the car used about 325 km of its own estimate to cover about 300 km of road. Its range estimate was within about 8 per cent of reality, which is honest, given how much of our trip was at freeway speed, where every EV works hardest. We didn't need a single charging stop. Charging The RZ 500e accepts up to 22 kW on AC (alternating current, the type supplied by home wallboxes and most destination chargers). Lexus says that's a full charge in as little as 3.5 hours on a 22 kW supply. Most single-phase home wallboxes deliver around 7 kW, so at home, think overnight. On a DC (direct current) fast charger it accepts up to 150 kW, and Lexus claims a fast charge takes about 28 minutes. Inside: Roomy, Plush with a Touch of Analogue The Sports Luxury is trimmed in Ultrasuede (a premium synthetic suede) with Lexus's "Tsuyasumi" interior ornamentation. There's genuine room front and back, and the finish is classic Lexus: soft, tight and built to last. Boot space is 522 litres, behind a power tailgate. Sports Luxury equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, a dimming panoramic roof and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. A nice surprise is the controls. Plenty of new EVs bury everything in a touchscreen. The RZ has some real, knobs and buttons for everyday functions, alongside a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Volume and on/off are buttons while temperature controls are tactile dials that are quick and easy to use. Jeremy called it "a bit of a real car feel". However, many other functions are still one-touch, so you're not digging through three menus to change the fan speed. If you're tired of screen-only cars, this is a small but genuine reason to look at the RZ. The Sports Luxury is trimmed in Ultrasuede - Lexus' premium synthetic suede. Safety Tech Every RZ gets Lexus Safety System+ as standard. The suite includes a Pre-Collision System with Intersection Collision Avoidance Support, Emergency Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Road Sign Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Safe Exit Assist, a Driver Monitor Camera and a Panoramic View Monitor. Lane-keeping and lane-centring assistance are also standard. The Sports Luxury adds an Adaptive High-Beam System and Intelligent Parking Assist. Paddles That Actually Do Something Paddles behind the steering wheel are standard. On the RZ 500e they adjust how strongly the car slows when you lift off the accelerator. That's regenerative braking: the motors act as generators, slowing the car and sending energy back to the battery. It's handy on long descents, such as the run down from the hinterland. The simulated gear changes and engine sound you may have read about (Lexus calls it Interactive Manual Drive) belong to the RZ 550e F Sport, not the 500e. Tyres: No Spare, So Know Your Options There's no spare wheel. Lexus's specification lists a tyre repair kit and a tyre pressure warning system. In our interview, the dealer told us the RZ runs on run-flat tyres, which let you keep driving after a slow puncture. Lexus's published specification doesn't mention run-flats. If a spare matters to you, especially for country driving, confirm exactly which tyres are fitted before you sign. The Boot. Under the floor is your charging cable but no spare. RZ500e Price: A Better Car for a Lot Less Money This is the headline. The updated RZ 500e, on sale in Australia since May 2026, replaces the original RZ 450e. It's more powerful and goes further than the car it replaces, yet it costs much less. The Sports Luxury we drove is $91,000 before on-road costs. That's $42,059 less than the RZ 450e Sports Luxury, also before on-road costs. Compared with the RZ 450e, power is up 50 kW, the battery has grown to 74.7 kWh, range is up 16 per cent and AC charging is twice as fast. Variant Price (before on-road costs) Power Battery WLTP range RZ 500e Luxury $84,500 280 kW 74.7 kWh 460 km RZ 500e Sports Luxury (tested) $91,000 280 kW 74.7 kWh 460 km RZ 550e F Sport $105,000 300 kW 77 kWh 437 km Prices from Lexus Australia, before on-road costs. Drive-away prices vary by state and postcode; Lexus's online drive-away calculator was unavailable when we checked. RZ500e Warranty, Servicing and Encore The car is covered for 5 years/unlimited km. The high-voltage battery is covered for 8 years/160,000 km against its capacity falling below 70 per cent. Lexus will also extend battery cover to as much as 10 years/unlimited km, provided the battery has an annual health check after year five. Jeremy quoted us a 10-year battery warranty, and that holds, as long as you keep up the health checks. Servicing Servicing is capped at $395 per service for the first five years, due every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever comes first. Jeremy told us a complimentary loan car is included when you book a service. Encore Encore is Lexus's owner program, and Lexus says its lifestyle benefits run for five years. Jeremy told us benefits include airport valet parking, with the car returned washed, and invitations to events matched to the interests you list at handover. With our test we attended an Encore dinner at Agnes in Brisbane. What the Dealer Told Us vs What Lexus Publishes Dealers are a great source of on-the-ground knowledge, but specs change. Here's where our interview and Lexus's published information lined up, and where they didn't. Topic What the dealer told us What Lexus publishes Battery warranty 10 years 8 years/160,000 km capacity cover; cover extendable to 10 years/unlimited km with annual health checks after year five Spare tyre Run-flat tyres, no spare needed Tyre repair kit and tyre pressure warning; run-flats not listed Encore benefits LIfestyle benefits run for 5 years Lifestyle benefits run for 5 years Paddle shifters Adjust braking, plus simulated gear changes with sound (Interactive Manual Drive) Simulated gears and sound (Interactive Manual Drive) are on the RZ 550e F Sport only Lexus RZ 500e: The Verdict: Real Upgrade or Patch-Up Job? Real upgrade. A patch-up job would be a price cut to shift stock. Lexus has cut the price and changed the hardware underneath it: 50 kW more power, a bigger 74.7 kWh battery, 16 per cent more range and AC charging twice as fast as the RZ 450e it replaces. Our drive backs that up. The RZ 500e Sports Luxury took us about 300 km around the Sunshine Coast and home on one charge, with 80 km still showing. It's quick, quiet and beautifully finished. And then there are the buttons. Proper ones, that click. It sounds trivial until you're doing 110 km/h on the Bruce Highway and just want to turn the fan down. In most new EVs that means taking your eyes off the road to hunt through a menu, three screens deep. In the RZ you reach out and press it. Easier, and a whole lot safer. As we noted earlier, The RZ has some real, knobs and buttons for everyday functions, alongside a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Volume and on/off are buttons while temperature controls are tactile buttons that are quick and easy to use. It's still a Lexus price, but at up to $42,000 less than the car it replaces, it finally makes sense on paper as well as on the road. Buy if... You want a quick, quiet, luxury EV with physical controls, not a screen for everything You regularly do 300 km round trips and want to do them without a charging stop You value a five-year ownership package: capped servicing and Encore benefits Avoid if... You need a full-size spare for remote or outback driving You want the most range for your dollar, since cheaper EVs go further on paper You've got your heart set on the steer-by-wire yoke and simulated gear changes; those are on the $105,000 RZ 550e F Sport Frequently Asked Questions How far can the Lexus RZ 500e go on a charge? Lexus quotes 460 km on the WLTP test. In our real-world drive from Brisbane to Mapleton, Noosa and back, about 300 km, the car still showed 80 km of range when we got home. How much is the Lexus RZ 500e in Australia? The RZ 500e Luxury is $84,500 and the RZ 500e Sports Luxury is $91,000, both before on-road costs. The RZ 550e F Sport is $105,000 before on-road costs. Does the Lexus RZ 500e have a spare tyre? No. Lexus lists a tyre repair kit and a tyre pressure warning system. Check the tyres fitted to your car with your dealer if a spare matters to you. What warranty does the Lexus RZ 500e battery have? The battery has 8 years/160,000 km cover against capacity falling below 70 per cent. Lexus extends battery cover to up to 10 years/unlimited km with an annual battery health check after year five. The car itself has a 5-year/unlimited km warranty.

Quick Facts: V2H and V2G in Australia Do this if your EV already has V2L: check now. Vehicle-to-Load lets you power appliances directly from a built-in outlet, available today on many current EVs, with no home installation needed. Do this if you're planning a home battery and already own or plan to buy a compatible EV: compare a bidirectional charger ($4,000 to $8,000 installed) against a standalone home battery ($8,000 to $14,000 installed) before committing. Don't assume your EV supports V2H. Most Tesla and most BYD models sold in Australia do not currently support it. Confirm directly with the manufacturer before buying hardware. The standards finally caught up: AS/NZS 4777.2 Amendment 2 (August 2025) enables bidirectional chargers to be grid-connected in Australia. A growing list of CEC-approved products is now available. A 60 to 82kWh EV battery can power a typical Australian home for 2 to 5 days, far more backup capacity than most home battery systems. Your EV battery is probably the largest energy storage device in your home, and until recently, that energy only ever flowed one way. Electricity went in. Nothing came out. But in 2026, "bidirectional charging" has moved from future concept to working technology in Australia, and the standards finally caught up in August 2025 to make it grid-legal. With petrol prices where they are and electricity bills rising, the idea of using your car's 60kWh-plus battery to power your home during peak periods, or keep the lights on during a blackout, is worth understanding properly. Here's V2H and V2G explained, what's available in Australia right now, which cars support it, and whether the numbers make sense: V2L, V2H, V2G, three different things These three terms are often used interchangeably. They shouldn't be. V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) is the simplest. Many newer EVs have a built-in AC outlet, often a standard Australian GPO, on the vehicle itself or via an adaptor. You plug appliances directly into the car: a camping fridge, power tools, a laptop. No home installation needed. The BYD Shark 6's 6.6kW V2L is already being used by tradies to run site equipment. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV9 both offer around 3.6kW V2L. This is available right now, on vehicles already in Australian driveways, with no additional hardware. V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) goes a step further. Rather than powering individual appliances directly from the car, V2H powers your home's electrical circuits via a bidirectional wall charger connected to your switchboard. During a blackout, the car becomes your home's battery. During peak electricity price periods, your car discharges stored energy to reduce grid draw. This requires a compatible vehicle, a CEC-approved bidirectional charger, and in most cases an isolation switch so the house operates independently of the grid during outages. V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) extends the concept again, your EV can export power not just into your home but out to the electricity network. In theory, this means earning export payments, like a very large solar system. In practice, V2G is in its earliest stages in Australia, it's legal, the standards exist, Ausgrid has approved the Numbat bidirectional charger for grid connection in NSW, but the retailer tariffs and Virtual Power Plant programs needed to make it financially rewarding are still limited. What's actually available in Australia right now The standards update in August 2025 (AS/NZS 4777.2 Amendment 2) was the moment bidirectional charging became genuinely grid-legal in Australia rather than a regulatory grey area. Since then, a small but growing list of CEC-approved bidirectional chargers has become available: Numbat (V2Grid Australia): approved by Ausgrid for grid-connected V2G and V2H use in NSW. The most significant Australian-developed product in this space. Wallbox Quasar 2: an 11.5kW bidirectional DC charger with built-in blackout mode. Compatible with the CCS2 standard and available in Australia now. Ambibox DC Wallbox (RedEarth Energy Storage): a flexible bidirectional unit supporting both V2G and V2H, up to 22kW. Installed cost for a bidirectional charger system typically runs $4,000 to $8,000, which compares favourably to a 10kWh home battery at $8,000 to $14,000 installed, particularly if you already own or are planning to buy a compatible EV. Which EVs actually support it This is where most guides fail you, they list the technology without telling you which Australian-market vehicles can actually use it. Clear yes: Nissan Leaf (2nd generation, 40kWh/62kWh), via CHAdeMO, around 6kW V2H. The most established V2H car in Australia, used extensively in the SA Power Networks V2G pilot. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, via CHAdeMO, around 6kW, with roughly 13.8kWh usable. Smaller battery, petrol engine backup. Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Ioniq 9, CCS2 bidirectional, V2L confirmed, V2H capability with a compatible charger. Kia EV6, EV9, same platform as the Hyundai models, same bidirectional capability. CUPRA Born, V2H confirmed via a compatible bidirectional AC charger. Not yet in Australia: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, bidirectional flagged for a future software update, not available on Australian vehicles currently. Most BYD models, not yet enabled for V2H or V2G in Australia despite large battery capacity. BYD's own bidirectional technology exists but hasn't been unlocked here yet. Check before you buy: if V2H or V2G is a priority, confirm directly with the manufacturer that bidirectional charging is currently supported on the Australian-market variant, and get written warranty confirmation that discharging via V2H won't affect your battery warranty. Does the maths work? Australian researchers from Flinders, Adelaide and Murdoch universities published findings in April 2026 showing V2H can reduce household electricity costs by approximately 6.8% while reducing the need for a dedicated home battery. The study used real Adelaide tariffs, weather data and household load profiles, finding V2H improved solar self-consumption and reduced grid reliance year-round, particularly in winter when solar output falls. For a South Australian household, roughly matching the $1,600 to $2,300 a year the study itself was built around, a 6.8% reduction works out to somewhere between $110 and $155 a year, not a return that justifies an $8,000 installation on its own. The economics improve significantly when V2H is stacked with V2G export payments, solar self-consumption improvements, and blackout resilience value. The clearest financial case is for households that already own a compatible EV (or are planning to buy one), have solar, and are considering a home battery, where a bidirectional charger at $4,000 to $8,000 installed replaces a separate home battery at $8,000 to $14,000 while adding V2H capability. V2L vs V2H vs V2G Compared V2L V2H V2G What it does Powers appliances directly from car Powers home circuits from car Exports to grid Hardware needed None (built-in outlet or adaptor) Bidirectional wall charger, $4,000-$8,000 Bidirectional charger plus network approval Available in Australia Yes, on many current EVs Yes, on select vehicles with a CEC charger Yes in principle, limited VPP programs Warranty risk Low Check with manufacturer Check with manufacturer Best for Camping, tradies, emergency power Peak tariff reduction, blackout backup Energy export income (emerging) Do This, Don't Do That Do this if you haven't already: check whether your current EV has a V2L outlet. It's available now, requires no home installation, and is genuinely useful for camping and emergency power. Do this if you're considering a home battery and own a compatible EV: run the numbers on a bidirectional charger first, the cost comparison strongly favours V2H over a standalone battery in that specific situation. Don't do this: assume V2G will pay for itself soon. The standards and approvals are in place, but the retailer programs and VPP tariffs needed to make it financially compelling are still catching up. V2H and V2G Explained : FAQs What is the difference between V2L, V2H and V2G? V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) powers appliances directly from your EV via a built-in outlet, no home installation needed. V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) powers your home's circuits via a bidirectional wall charger. V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) goes further, allowing your EV to export power to the electricity network. Is V2H available in Australia now? Yes, for vehicles that support bidirectional charging (Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq series, Kia EV6/EV9, CUPRA Born and others) with a CEC-approved bidirectional charger. The regulatory standard that enables grid-connected bidirectional charging in Australia, AS/NZS 4777.2 Amendment 2, was updated in August 2025. Does using V2H void my EV warranty? It depends on the manufacturer. Nissan's warranty explicitly covers V2H via CHAdeMO. For most other brands, you should get written confirmation from the manufacturer before regularly discharging via V2H or V2G. This is a genuine, open question for several brands currently. Can a Tesla Model Y do V2H in Australia? Not currently. Bidirectional charging for Tesla vehicles in Australia has been flagged as a future software update but is not available on current Australian-market vehicles. Check with Tesla for the latest status.

Quick Facts: Portable EV Chargers Australia Do this if you rent, travel regularly, or drive modest daily distances: a portable charger is a genuinely good fit, no electrician required for the 10A or 15A tiers. Don't do this if you drive more than 150km a day: a portable won't recover enough range overnight. Get a fixed 7kW wall charger instead. The 15 amp tier is the sweet spot for most Australian drivers, roughly 200km of range added overnight via a common 15 amp outlet, no fixed installation required. RCM compliance is non-negotiable: any portable charger sold or used in Australia must carry the Regulatory Compliance Mark. Non-compliant grey imports can void your home and contents insurance. Don't use an extension lead with a portable EV charger. Run the cable directly to the outlet, not via an extension cord to the car. Every new EV in Australia arrives with a portable charging cable in the boot, usually a 10 amp "granny cable" that plugs into a standard power point. Most owners tuck it in the boot, never think about it again, and install a wall charger within the first month. But there's an entire category of upgraded portable chargers that never quite gets talked about honestly: faster than the granny cable, cheaper and more flexible than a fixed wall charger, and genuinely useful in specific situations. The question is whether those situations describe you. Here's the straight answer. What "portable" actually means in the EV context Portable EV chargers, also called portable EVSEs (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment), are essentially a smarter version of the cable that came with your car. They plug into a power point at one end and a Type 2 socket on your EV at the other. What distinguishes them from the basic granny cable is adjustable charge rate, better safety hardware (built-in RCD Type B protection), longer cables (7 to 8 metres is standard), and in some cases an LED display showing charge rate and session data. What they are not: a DC fast charger. These are all AC units, running from household single-phase power. You're not going to get 150kW from one of these. What you are going to get is a reliable, flexible, genuinely useful charging solution that doesn't require a licensed electrician, a dedicated circuit, or a wall charger installation. The three tiers, and the one that matters most 10 amp (2.4kW, ~12km/hr) Plugs into any standard household outlet, the same socket your kettle or laptop charger uses. The granny cable that came with your car is a 10A unit. An aftermarket 10A portable (EVSE Australia's portable is a commonly cited option around the $249 mark) gives you the same basic rate but with better safety hardware, a longer cable, and a more robust build. Over a 10 hour overnight charge, you'll recover roughly 120km. For the average Australian daily commute of around 38km, this comfortably covers a full day's driving every night. It's genuinely adequate as a daily charger if you drive modest distances, and it's the obvious solution for renters, travellers, or anyone who wants a backup unit in the boot. 15 amp (3.6kW, ~20km/hr), the sweet spot The 15 amp tier is where the portable charger becomes a serious daily option rather than just a backup. A 15A outlet is common in Australian homes, it's the same socket used for air conditioners, caravans, and washing machines, and an aftermarket 15A portable charges around 50% faster than a 10 amp unit. Over 10 hours, you're adding roughly 200km of range. That covers essentially every commute in the country plus meaningful buffer. The Alchemy Charge 15A (around $349) is a well-regarded option in this tier at the moment. No installation required if you already have a 15A outlet; if you don't, an electrician can add one for considerably less than a full wall charger installation. 32 amp (7.4kW, ~40km/hr) This is effectively the same charge rate as a fixed 7kW wall charger, and at this tier, "portable" becomes a loose description. A 32A portable needs a dedicated 32A circuit and a CEE blue commando socket, which requires electrician installation. At that point, the cost difference between a 32A portable (around $499) and a proper fixed wall charger ($600 to $1,200 for the unit, plus installation) narrows to the point where most owners choose the fixed charger instead. The portable format makes sense here mainly for tradies or fleet operators who move the charger between sites, or for people who genuinely can't wall-mount a fixed unit. When a portable charger is the right answer You're renting. Can't install a wall charger without landlord permission, and the landlord's not interested. A 10A or 15A portable works from whatever outlets are accessible and leaves with you when you move. You travel regularly. A portable in the boot means you can charge from a caravan park outlet, a farm's 15A powerpoint, a holiday house GPO, or any other accessible socket on the road. Not fast, but turning a stay overnight into a fully charged morning is worth the slow rate. You drive modest daily distances. Under 120km a day, a 10A overnight charge is all you need. Under 200km a day, a 15A covers it. There's a genuine argument that many Australian EV owners don't need a wall charger at all, particularly if they drive less than the national average. It's a backup. Wall charger failed, installation appointment got pushed, you're at a friend's place overnight with a flat battery. The granny cable that came with your car already fills this role, but a quality aftermarket portable with adjustable amperage and a longer cable fills it better. When a portable charger is not the right answer You drive more than 150km a day. A 10A cable won't recover enough overnight. A 15A will, but only just, and you lose the buffer for cold mornings, longer days, or irregular schedules. A fixed wall charger at 7kW is the more comfortable solution. You want solar integration. Portable chargers don't have the smart-charging capabilities to talk to your solar inverter. You need a smart wall charger (Zappi v2, Ocular IQ) for that. Portable EV Charger Comparison: Key Options in Australia 2026 Model Tier Power Range/hr Cable Indicative Price EVSE Australia 10A 10A 2.4kW ~12km 7.5m ~$249 INCHARGEx 10A Gen 2 10A 2.4kW ~12km 5.5m ~$212 Alchemy Charge 15A 15A 3.6kW ~20km 8m ~$349 INCHARGEx 15A 15A 3.4kW ~20km 5.5m ~$280 Alchemy Charge 32A 32A 7.4kW ~40km 8m ~$499 Prices are indicative as at September 2026, confirm with the retailer before purchasing. Do This, Don't Do That Do this if you're renting, travel regularly, or drive moderate daily distances: buy a 15A portable. It's the tier that actually does the job without the commitment of a fixed unit. Do this if your daily driving is genuinely modest: stick with the granny cable for backup coverage rather than upgrading. Don't do this if you drive more than 120km a day and own your home: a fixed 7kW wall charger plus installation is worth the extra cost for the more seamless overnight experience. Portable EV Chargers : FAQs Can I use a portable EV charger every day in Australia? Yes, provided the outlet you're using is on a sound circuit and your daily driving is within the overnight recovery range of your chosen tier. A 15A portable recovering roughly 200km overnight suits the vast majority of Australian daily commutes. What is RCM compliance and why does it matter? RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) is the Australian standard marking required for all electrical equipment sold or used here. A portable EV charger without it hasn't been assessed for local electrical safety standards and may not be covered by your home and contents insurance in the event of damage. Only buy from Australian distributors selling RCM-certified units. Can I use an extension lead with a portable EV charger? Not recommended. Extension leads introduce resistance and can overheat under sustained EV charging loads. Always run the charger cable directly to the outlet, not via an extension cord. What's the difference between the granny cable and an aftermarket portable charger? Both are 10A units that plug into a standard GPO, but aftermarket portables typically offer adjustable amperage (down to 8A for older circuits), longer cables (7 to 8 metres), built-in RCD Type B protection, LED displays, and more durable build quality. Worth upgrading if the granny cable is your daily charging solution.