Boomer Reveals Solar & EV Savings Secrets

If you think the only people buying electric vehicles (EVs) are eco-warriors and inner-city millennials, think again. I recently pulled up to a classic red brick home in suburban Brisbane for a pre-purchase inspection on an Audi A3. The bloke selling it? Barry – a retired engineer in his late 60s. But what caught my eye wasn’t the car in the driveway. It was the electrician installing a wall-mounted EV charger on the garage wall.

“You getting an EV, mate?” I asked.
Barry nodded. “I’ve already got solar, and the government won’t pay me much for feeding it back into the grid. I might as well use it to fuel my car.”

That, right there, sums up the real Aussie reason a lot of retirees are going electric. Not because it’s green. Because it’s smart.

The Solar Setup – When Your Roof Already Pays Off

Barry had a 6.6kW solar system installed five years ago – pretty typical for Aussie homeowners. Back then, feed-in tariffs were better, but now?

You’re lucky to get 5 to 8 cents per kilowatt-hour back. Meanwhile, you’re paying 30 to 40 cents per kilowatt-hour to buy power from the grid.

So Barry did the maths. If he can charge his car during the day while the sun’s out, he’s basically filling up for free. Compare that to spending $2 a litre at the servo and suddenly, the EV charger isn’t a luxury. It’s an investment.

“I was sick of giving power away to the grid for peanuts,” Barry said. “I’d rather get something out of it myself.”

He’s not wrong. And he’s not alone.

Barry’s Boomer Logic – Not “Going Green,” Just Smart Money Moves

There’s this stereotype that Baby Boomers are anti-renewables, anti-EV, and pro-petrol. But in reality, when the numbers add up, they’re the first to make a practical change.

Barry didn’t bring up emissions or climate change. What he did talk about was:

• Rising fuel costs
• The uselessness of current feed-in tariffs
• Avoiding engine maintenance and oil changes

That’s classic Boomer independence: don’t waste money, don’t rely on others, make use of what you’ve already got.

It’s also worth noting: Barry’s not switching because he’s trendy. He’s not buying a Tesla to show off. He’s buying a BYD because it’s value for money. He wants to drive something reliable, cheap to run, and compatible with the solar setup he already invested in.

The Hidden Bonus: Fringe Benefits Tax Exemption

Now, Barry’s retired, so he’s not getting a novated lease — but if you’re still working and earning a full-time wage, this is where things get juicy.

The Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption applies to eligible EVs under the $91,387 luxury car tax cap. That means if you get an EV on a novated lease through your employer, you can pay for the car with pre-tax income — saving thousands in tax.

A client of mine, Sarah, earns $120k and just got a Hyundai Kona EV via novated lease. Between FBT savings and zero fuel spend, she’s saving about $8,500 per year compared to her previous ICE car.

If you’re still working and you’ve got solar at home, this combo is unbeatable. You use pre-tax dollars to pay off the EV, and you charge it using free power from your roof.

Curious about how much you could save? Check out our article on EV Tax Savings in Australia.

Learn more about the ATO’s FBT exemption for electric vehicles.

How the Numbers Stack Up — EV vs Petrol

Let’s break it down:

Petrol Car (Barry’s Old Camry):

• Fuel: $2,000–$2,500/year
• Oil changes, belts, spark plugs: $500–$800/year
• Registration and servicing: $1,000/year
  Total: $3,500–$4,300/year

EV (Charged with Solar):

• Electricity: ~$0 (charged during the day)
• Servicing: ~$250/year
• Registration/stamp duty discounts in some states
  Total: ~$250–$500/year

Even without a novated lease or government rebate, Barry’s looking at $3,000+ in savings per year. Over 5 years, that’s $15,000 back in his pocket.

Now throw in a rebate — like WA’s $3500 EV subsidy or Victoria’s former $3,000 one — and the payback is even faster.

Buying a used car? Get it checked first! Schedule a mobile inspection.

Check federal and state EV rebate eligibility here.

Charging EVs at Home — The Solar Owner’s Dream

If you’ve already got solar on your roof, you’re halfway to running your car for free.

90% of EV charging happens at home.

Public charging infrastructure is growing (over 3,000 sites nationwide), but for suburban homeowners, it’s rarely needed.

Barry’s setup is perfect: he charges during the day when the sun’s out, meaning no grid power used. Even better, he can schedule the charge through his car’s app to match peak solar generation.

He also mentioned looking into battery storage next year to store excess solar and top up his EV overnight if needed. He likes Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs).

For more tips on which EVs are worth considering, see our guide to the Best Electric Cars in Australia.

Use the national EV Charging Map to locate charge points near you.

🎥 WATCH: See what three years of driving an electric car charged by solar panels really looks like including savings breakdown and real numbers from an Aussie family.

The Suburban Solar Advantage

Suburban homeowners like Barry are in the best position to make the EV switch pay off. Why?

• Roof space for panels
• Driveways/garages for home chargers
• Consistent driving habits that make EVs predictable and affordable

Bonus: Lower Maintenance = Less Headache

As a mechanic, I’ve seen firsthand the issues that come up with ICE vehicles:

• Oil leaks
• Timing belt failures
• Radiator problems

EVs? No belts. No spark plugs. No engine oil. Less wear and tear. For retirees, that means less time at the workshop and more peace of mind.

Still unsure if a fully electric car is the best fit for you? You might find our breakdown of Hybrid Vehicle Advantages helpful.

Why More Retirees Will Quietly Join the EV Club

They may not post it on Facebook or slap a “Go Electric” sticker on the back window, but many Aussie retirees are quietly making the switch.

They won’t say it’s for the planet.
They’ll say it’s for their wallet.

Barry’s story is one of many I’ve seen in recent years. Savvy, independent retirees with solar setups are cutting out the middlemen fuel companies, energy retailers, and even the government feed-in scheme and using what they’ve already paid for to their own advantage.

If that’s not the most Aussie thing ever, I don’t know what is.

Final Thoughts: If You’ve Got Solar, You’re Halfway to an EV

You don’t have to be a tech-head or climate crusader to make solar and EV ownership work.

Just be like Barry:

• Use what you’ve got.
• Avoid unnecessary bills.
• Keep more of your own money.

And maybe just maybe enjoy the quiet thrill of driving past your old servo, knowing you’ll never need to stop there again.

Buying a used car? Get it checked first! Schedule a mobile inspection.