EV-peasy with Oly: the ins and outs of EV charging claims on a novated lease

If it feels like everyone’s suddenly driving electric, you’re not wrong. Thanks to the government’s EV Discount, Aussie drivers are plugging into cleaner vehicles in record numbers – you might say EV interest has surged.

And it’s not just the cars – charging’s getting easier too, with a 20% jump in fast-charging locations and high-powered plugs over the same stretch.

So yeah – EVs are everywhere. Which means more people are wondering how to claim those charging costs.

Here’s a quick rundown of the options available for claiming charging EV costs on a novated lease, and how to go about it. Just bear in mind, you can only claim one method each Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year.

Shortcut Method

This one lets eligible EV customers claim for at home-charging battery EVs the following rates:

• 4.2 cents per km for claims dated between 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2026
• 5.47 cents per km for claims dated from 1 April 2026

Heads up: The ATO increased the rate charging for the Shortcut Method from 4.2 cents per km to 5.47 cents per km for home-charging their battery EV for claims dated from 1 April 2026.

If most of your charging happens at home and you don't have a separate meter or fancy fast-charger setup, this is the easiest way to go.

Working it out is nice and simple – using the increased 2026/27 rate, just multiply the dollar amount (0.0547) by the number of km’s driven over the FBT year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March.

So, say you’ve done 15,000kms within an FBT year, you’re looking at a claim of $820.50 (15,000 x 0.0547).

Another heads up: This method only applies to novated lease vehicles that run purely on electric power. It doesn’t cover Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs).

Don’t forget your odometer reading

Quick tip – jot down your odometer reading on 1 April each year.

Why? Because you can only claim kms within the same FBT year. Having that starting number handy makes your claim accurate, keeps things running smoothly, and keeps the ATO happy.

Getting the shortcut claim form

If you’re keen to use the shortcut method, just click here to download the Electric Vehicle Home Charging Rate form and you’re good to go.

Invoice Method (Public and/or Metered Home Charging)

If you’re charging out and about, or you’ve got a decent setup at home, the Invoice Method lets you claim for the actual cost of charging your EV.

When it comes to public charging, you’ll usually be paying out of your own pocket – just hang onto your receipts and chuck them into your Oly account when you’re ready to claim.

For home-charging it’s all about showing exactly how much power your EV is using and what it’s costing you. You can do this with a separate smart meter, or by using or a home charger that tracks usage for you.

How to claim the invoice method

Looking to claim using the invoice method? Just upload your public charging receipts, electricity bills, or charger invoices through the Oly appt under ‘fuel expenses’.

Got questions about EV claiming? Jump into the Oly app, or email [email protected].

^{*Source: EVC 'State of EVs 2025' -  https://electricvehiclecouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/State-of-EVs_2025_141025-2.pdf. EVC ‘Australia makes gains in EV uptake but faces steep road ahead, report finds’ https://electricvehiclecouncil.com.au/media-releases/australia-makes-gains-in-ev-uptake-but-faces-steep-road-ahead-report-finds/}

^{Disclaimer: The material contained in this article is of general nature only and is based on the ATO Guidelines as of the date of publication. It is not, nor intended to be legal, financial or tax advice. If you wish to take any action based on the content of this article, we recommend that you seek professional advice.}

^{Things you need to know: This general information doesn’t take your personal circumstances into account. Please consider whether this information is right for you before making a decision and seek professional independent tax and financial advice. Conditions and fees apply and you should confirm they are acceptable before you accept any arrangements with Oly, along with credit assessment criteria for lease and loan products. The availability of benefits is subject to your employer’s approval. Oly does not act as your agent or representative (or provide you with any advice or recommendations) in respect of the leasing of any vehicle. You acknowledge and agree that any reward you receive is not a salary, however you may need to declare any reward as income for tax purposes.}

Ready to drive?

You don’t need to work for a big company to get big benefits, but to be eligible for an Oly novated lease you do need to be:

- Employed full-time, part-time or self-employed

- Earning a set salary (AKA not unemployed, retired, or a ride share driver)

- Looking for a car for personal use

Fill out this form to kick things off, then check your inbox for a link to create your Oly login to apply online (hint: check your spam/junk folder).

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