Daily EV news · Australia · 20 August 2026

South Korean vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group and UK energy intelligence platform Kaluza have agreed to integrate smart charging capabilities into the Kia App and myHyundai App, launching in the UK in August 2026 and Australia shortly after. The partnership will lay the groundwork for vehicle to grid (V2G) services planned from 2027, designed to reduce energy costs by charging when renewable energy is abundant on the grid. Kaluza CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick described the collaboration as setting a new industry standard for EV and energy system integration.

Why it matters: The deal signals a major OEM commitment to managed charging and V2G across two key English speaking markets, potentially shaping grid service procurement and charging infrastructure requirements. CPOs and fleet operators serving Hyundai and Kia drivers may need to align with the new digital ecosystem to offer competitive smart charging propositions from 2026.

Battery electric vehicle sales in Australia nearly tripled in the first half of 2026, reaching 23.4% of new car sales by July, up from 8.4% in January. More than 108,000 new cars were sold in July, with over a fifth being battery EVs, while Tesla and Polestar delivered four times more vehicles than July 2025 and BYD increased sales by 70.5% year on year. Cumulative research warns that Australia's charging network may struggle to keep pace with the accelerating EV market growth.

Why it matters: The rapid surge in EV adoption creates urgent pressure on charging infrastructure providers to expand networks quickly, presenting significant procurement opportunities but also capacity planning risks. CPOs and network operators must accelerate rollout strategies to avoid bottlenecks as the market transitions from early adopters to mainstream buyers.

Australia's Productivity Commission has published its final report on heavy vehicle reform, identifying regulatory and planning barriers to electric truck charging infrastructure as one of five priority areas to restart stalled road freight productivity. The report, commissioned by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in September 2025 and delivered 30 June 2026, follows a AU$400 million reform package and notes that road freight physical productivity has stalled for over a decade. The Commission found that advances in heavy zero emission vehicle technology offer an opportunity to restart growth while improving emissions outcomes.

Why it matters: The report signals that Australia's federal government recognises charging infrastructure barriers as a national productivity issue, potentially unlocking policy and planning reforms that could accelerate heavy duty charging procurement. For CPOs and infrastructure developers, the findings may translate into clearer access pathways and reduced regulatory friction for depot and corridor charging projects.