How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car in Australia?
The cost of charging an EV in Australia depends on three things: your electricity rate, your EV's energy consumption (kWh/100km), and how much charge you need to add. At Australia's average residential tariff of around $0.26/kWh, charging a mid-size 75 kWh EV from 20% to 80% costs approximately $12–$13. On a dedicated EV off-peak tariff of $0.10–$0.14/kWh, the same charge costs $5–$7.
These figures are 3–5× cheaper per kilometre than the equivalent petrol cost — which is why EV running costs in Australia are so compelling for high-mileage commuters.
Home Charging vs Public Charging Costs
| Charging type | Typical rate (AU) | Cost per 100km* | Full charge (75 kWh)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home — EV off-peak plan | $0.10–$0.14/kWh | $1.76–$2.46 | $8.25–$11.55 |
| Home — standard flat tariff | $0.22–$0.28/kWh | $3.87–$4.93 | $18.15–$23.10 |
| Solar self-consumption | ~$0.00–$0.08/kWh | $0–$1.41 | $0–$6.60 |
| Public Level 2 AC charger | $0.35–$0.45/kWh | $6.16–$7.92 | $28.88–$37.13 |
| DC fast charger (50–350 kW) | $0.45–$0.65/kWh | $7.92–$11.44 | $37.13–$53.63 |
*Assumes 16 kWh/100km (mid-size EV) and 10% charging losses for home; 5% for public chargers. 75 kWh charged from 0–100%.
EV Charging Cost vs Petrol: The Real Comparison
The fairest comparison is cost per 100 km of driving. Here's how home-charged EVs compare to petrol vehicles at different distances:
| Vehicle | Consumption | Cost/100km | Annual cost (15,000 km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV (home off-peak $0.12/kWh) | 16 kWh/100km | $2.11 | $317 |
| EV (standard tariff $0.26/kWh) | 16 kWh/100km | $4.57 | $686 |
| Small petrol car | 7.5 L/100km | $14.40 | $2,160 |
| Mid-size petrol car / SUV | 10 L/100km | $19.20 | $2,880 |
| Petrol hybrid | 4.8 L/100km | $9.22 | $1,382 |
At $1.92/L petrol. EV off-peak charging saves approximately $1,843–$2,563/year in fuel versus a comparable petrol car.
Understanding Charging Losses
Not all electricity drawn from your wall goes into the battery. Home AC chargers typically have a round-trip charging efficiency of 85–92%, meaning 8–15% of the electricity you draw is lost as heat in the charger, cable, and battery management system. This calculator includes a 10% charging loss factor for home charging, meaning you pay for 10% more electricity than actually ends up in your battery.
DC fast chargers operate at higher voltages with different loss profiles. Public charger pricing (per kWh) typically already accounts for the charger's operating costs and efficiency, so the price you pay reflects the delivered energy.
Getting the Most from EV Home Charging in Australia
Time-of-Use Tariffs
If your electricity retailer offers a time-of-use tariff (most do), switching and scheduling overnight charging is the single most impactful way to reduce your charging cost. Off-peak rates of $0.08–$0.14/kWh are available from multiple retailers in most Australian states. Set your car's scheduled charging time to begin at midnight and finish before 7am for maximum off-peak exposure.
Solar Integration
If you have solar panels, charging during solar generation hours (10am–3pm on weekdays) can effectively eliminate your charging cost after accounting for the solar system investment. Most modern EVs and home chargers support scheduled or solar-excess charging modes. The Zappi charger, for example, automatically diverts solar surplus to the car before exporting to the grid. With solar feed-in tariffs now as low as $0.04–$0.08/kWh in some states, keeping that energy for EV charging rather than exporting it is financially sensible.
EV-Specific Electricity Plans
Several Australian retailers now offer EV-specific plans with heavily discounted overnight rates. AGL's EV plan, Amber Electric (real-time pricing), Powershop EV rates, and Origin Energy's EV tariffs all offer pathways to sub-$0.15/kWh overnight charging. These plans typically require a smart meter and may have higher peak rates, so evaluate your overall household usage before switching.
For a Full EV vs Petrol Comparison
This calculator focuses on charging costs only. For a full 5-year or 10-year total cost of ownership comparison — including purchase price difference, maintenance savings, registration, and insurance — use our EV vs Petrol Cost Calculator.