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

When people are weighing up whether to invest in an electric car, one of the first questions they ask is: “How much does it cost to charge?”

Great question.

The short answer is that it depends on where and how you charge.

But almost always, charging an EV is much cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel.

Rough costs:

• Home charging: often under $0–$15 for a full charge if you use off-peak or solar

• Public rapid charging: around $30–$50+ for a large battery

• Public AC charging: in between home and rapid charging options, depending on the charger

Let’s break it down so you can understand your running costs and make smart choices about home charging and public charging.

Data from Rewiring Australia shows the cost hike from the conflict in Iran for petrol and diesel vehicles.

Home charging: the cheapest option for daily use

Most EV charging happens at home because it’s the most convenient and affordable way to charge.

How much does charging at home cost?

At home, you’re using your household electricity, just like you would for lighting or appliances. The total cost to fully charge your EV depends on:

• Your electricity tariff (how much you pay per kWh)

• Whether you use off-peak or solar power

• The size of your car battery

For example:

• Charging at home on a normal tariff might cost around $10 or less to fill up a typical EV battery (around 60–70 kWh).

• If you use off-peak power, or charge using your solar panels, the cost can be even lower — sometimes free if your solar system is big enough, or you use smart solar-only charging.

Get in touch if you’d like to chat to us about home charging options, including how to set up solar only charging or make sure you’re using the right tariff.

Public charging: costs can vary

Public charging is handy when you’re on the road or away from home, but it can cost more than home charging.

If you want to find out more about public charging and how to make sure you’re prepared, head to our simple guide for public charging here.

DC (Rapid) Charging — Fast, but pricier

Fast chargers (often on highways and busy towns) deliver lots of power quickly, which is great for road trips.

But they’re usually the most expensive public option:

• You might see prices charged per kWh plus a fee per minute

• Typical costs can range around 40–60 c per kWh or higher depending on the network and location

A full rapid charge on a large battery can cost around $30–$50 or more, but it still often works out cheaper than a petrol fill-up.

AC (Destination) Charging — Mid-range cost

Slower public chargers, like those in shopping centres or workplaces, are usually cheaper than fast chargers and closer in cost to home charging.

Some are free (if supported by local councils or businesses), while others might charge a modest per-hour rate.

Things that affect charging costs

Here are the key factors that influence what you actually pay:

Battery Size

The bigger the battery of the car, the more capacity it has, so it costs more in total to fill up. This is the same as a petrol or diesel car - the larger the tank, the more expensive to fill up.

But you also get more range.

Electricity prices

Home tariffs vary by location and provider.

Charging on a cheaper tariff (overnight or solar) can significantly reduce costs.

Charging at night or during off-peak hours during the middle of the day usually costs less than peak rates (which are usually early in the morning and in the evening when everyone in Tasmania turns on their heater).

Charger Type

• Home & workplace charging — cheapest

• Slow public AC charging — mid-range

• Rapid DC charging — most expensive

Most cost effective approach to charging your EV

Here’s how many drivers balance cost and convenience:

• Use home charging at night, or charge during the day using solar power or cheaper daytime tariffs

• Only use public chargers on long trips or when required

That way you keep your daily charging cheap and save the occasional public charging for when you need it most.

The bottom line

Charging an EV in Australia is significantly cheaper than filling up a petrol or diesel car, whether you’re charging at home, at work, or using a public charger.

Get in touch if you’re considering installing a home charger or want help making charging as affordable and easy as possible, we’re here to help.

Whether it’s setting up smart charging, solar integration, or public RFID cards, just reach out.