How much does it cost to charge an EV in Australia?

The short answer: between $4 and $25 for a full charge, depending on where and when you plug in. The long answer involves your electricity plan, your state, and whether you charge at home or on the road. Here is what each option actually costs.

Home charging: the cheapest option by far

About 80% of EV charging in Australia happens at home. If you plug into a standard power point (Level 1, ~2.3 kW), a typical 60 kWh battery takes roughly 26 hours for a full charge. A dedicated wall charger (Level 2, ~7 kW) does it in about 8 hours. Both use the same electricity — the wall charger is just faster.

The cost depends entirely on your electricity rate. Here is what a full 60 kWh charge costs across different states, using average residential rates:

The difference between peak and off-peak is significant. Charging overnight on an off-peak tariff (typically 10pm to 7am) can halve your cost. Most EVs let you schedule charging to start at a specific time — set it once and forget it.

Public fast charging: convenient but more expensive

Public DC fast chargers (50 kW to 350 kW) can add 200 km of range in 15 to 30 minutes. The speed is the selling point, not the price. Here is what the major networks charge:

• Chargefox: 40c to 60c per kWh depending on charger speed and membership. Members pay around 45c/kWh at most locations. A full 60 kWh charge costs $24 to $36.
• Tesla Supercharger: 48c to 55c per kWh for non-Tesla vehicles. Tesla owners pay slightly less at around 42c to 48c/kWh. A full charge runs $25 to $33.
• Evie Networks: 45c to 55c per kWh. Available in most capital cities and along major highways.
• Destination chargers (hotels, shopping centres): Often free or included with parking. Slower (7 to 22 kW) but cost-effective if you are there anyway.

Cost per kilometre: EV vs petrol

A typical EV uses about 15 kWh per 100 km. A typical petrol car uses about 8 litres per 100 km. Here is the cost per kilometre:

• EV, home off-peak charging (15c/kWh): 2.3c per km
• EV, home average rate (33c/kWh): 5.0c per km
• EV, public fast charging (50c/kWh): 7.5c per km
• Petrol car at $1.90/L: 15.2c per km

Even at the most expensive public charger, an EV costs half as much per kilometre as a petrol car. On home off-peak rates, it is about one-seventh the cost.

Annual running cost comparison

For an average Australian driving 13,300 km per year:

• EV charged mostly at home (off-peak): $306 per year
• EV charged mostly at home (average rate): $665 per year
• EV with 50% home / 50% public charging: $830 per year
• Petrol car at $1.90/L: $2,021 per year

The savings range from $1,191 to $1,715 per year depending on how you charge. Over 5 years, that is $5,955 to $8,575.

How to keep charging costs low

• Charge at home on off-peak rates whenever possible. Set a charging schedule in your car.
• Switch to a time-of-use electricity plan if you are on a flat rate. The off-peak savings are worth it.
• Use free destination chargers at shopping centres and hotels when available.
• Reserve public fast chargers for road trips, not daily use.
• If you have rooftop solar, charge during the day when your panels are producing. Your marginal cost drops to near zero.