Hybrid vehicles and FBT changes

Employers that provide plug-in hybrid electric vehicles ('PHEVs') to employees (or associates) for personal use should remember the following.

Home-charging expenses — new shortcut method

The ATO has updated its guidelines to include a new method to make it easier to calculate PHEV electricity costs when a vehicle is charged at an employee's home. 

To use the shortcut home-charging rate, employers and other individual taxpayers must meet the relevant eligibility requirements (or they can still choose to calculate the actual electricity costs instead of using this optional method).

Eligibility for FBT exemption

Since 1 April 2025, PHEVs are not considered a zero or low emissions vehicle under FBT law and no longer qualify as exempt.  Employers that provide PHEVs to their employees for private use, or that have PHEVs that are available for private use, may now have FBT obligations for the 2025/26 FBT year (subject to transitional arrangements).