Ultra-Fast EV Chargers Are Landing at 7-Eleven Across Australia
An Australian energy giant is rolling out ultra-fast EV chargers at 7-Eleven stores in VIC, NSW and QLD. Here's what it means if you're considering a novated EV.
One of Australia's three largest privately owned energy utilities is installing ten ultra-fast electric vehicle charging stations at 7-Eleven stores across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, according to a report by The Driven published 21 May 2026.
That might sound like a minor infrastructure footnote. It isn't. The "range anxiety" objection — the idea that you'll get stranded without a charge — has been the single biggest reason employees talk themselves out of an EV novated lease. Every ultra-fast charger that opens at a servo you already stop at chips away at that argument a little more.
This rollout matters because 7-Eleven sits on high-traffic corridors: commuter routes, highway pit stops, suburban forecourts. Ultra-fast charging (typically 150 kW+) means a meaningful top-up in roughly the time it takes to grab a coffee — not a 45-minute wait.
What this means for novated lease customers
If you're weighing up whether to salary-package an EV right now, charging infrastructure is a legitimate part of the maths. The honest answer in 2025 was "the network is patchy." That answer is getting harder to defend in 2026.
Under Australia's current FBT exemption for eligible battery electric vehicles, employees who novate a qualifying EV through their employer pay no FBT on the benefit — meaning the lease is funded from pre-tax salary in a way that petrol cars simply cannot match. That policy hasn't changed. What is changing is the real-world usability of the vehicles that qualify for it.
More charging points at everyday retail locations reduces the practical gap between owning an EV and owning a petrol car. For employees who commute regionally or don't have reliable home charging, that gap closing is directly relevant to their lease decision. It doesn't make a novated EV right for everyone, but it removes one more friction point that previously made the conversation harder.
Common questions
Does better charging infrastructure change the FBT exemption rules for EVs?
No. The FBT exemption for eligible battery electric vehicles is set by legislation and ATO guidance — it has nothing to do with where chargers are located. Infrastructure news like this affects the practical case for owning an EV, not the tax treatment.
Which EVs are currently FBT-exempt under a novated lease?
Broadly, new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that fall below the luxury car tax threshold may qualify. The ATO sets the specific eligibility criteria — your novated lease provider should confirm a vehicle's status before you sign anything.
Is ultra-fast charging different from the charging I do at home?
Yes. Home charging (typically 7–22 kW AC) is slower and is what most EV drivers rely on overnight. Ultra-fast DC chargers (150 kW+) are designed for top-ups on the road — adding significant range in 15–30 minutes depending on the vehicle.
Should I wait for more charging infrastructure before getting an EV on a novated lease?
That depends entirely on your driving patterns. If you can charge at home most nights, the public network is already a bonus rather than a necessity. If you rely heavily on public charging, a denser network does make the proposition more practical — and it's clearly trending in the right direction.
Does millarX only do EV novated leases?
No. millarX arranges novated leases for both EVs and conventional petrol or hybrid vehicles. EVs attract additional tax benefits under current law, but the right choice depends on your situation.