Offgrid EV charging
Charging an EV when you live off-grid
What are your options?
Living off-grid doesn’t mean giving up the convenience and freedom of owning an electric vehicle.
With the right setup, you can charge your EV reliably, sustainably, and without overloading your home energy system.
In fact, off-grid EV charging is easier than most people think.
It just takes a bit of planning, awareness, and a few clever habits.
Here’s a simple guide to help you understand your options and make clean energy work for your lifestyle.
Understanding your off-grid energy needs
Charging an EV is one of the biggest electrical loads in a home, and off-grid systems often run a carefully balanced combination of solar, batteries, and a backup generator.
So the first question is:
How much energy can your system produce, store, and spare for charging your EV?
A few things make a big difference:
Your daily driving distance
Seasonal sunlight (especially in Tasmania)
Your battery storage size
Whether you can charge during the day (or are out at work)
The good news? There are several ways to charge an EV off-grid.
Charging directly from solar (the cleanest and cheapest option)
If you can plug in during sunny hours, this is the most sustainable and cost-effective way to charge your EV.
How it works
Your EV draws power straight from your solar panels during the day. Even a slow, steady charge adds up over several hours.
When it works best
You’re home during the day
You drive moderate distances
You have a reasonable-sized solar array
You can charge slowly (2–3kW)
Benefits
100% renewable energy
Doesn’t drain your home battery
Great for your wallet and the planet
If you can set your EV or charger to only operate when the sun’s shining, even better.
Charging from your home battery
Most off-grid homes have battery storage — and yes, you can use that to top up your EV.
Pros
Convenient (especially for overnight charging)
Doesn’t rely on sunny hours
Cons
Can drain your home battery very quickly, and leave you without any power
May reduce battery lifespan if not sized well
Best for
Small top-ups rather than full charges
Households with large off-grid battery storage
We’ve written a blog about charging an EV from a home battery, which goes into some of the pros and cons in a bit more detail.
We don’t usually recommend it as an approach, but it is fine as a back up.
Using a generator as backup (reliable for winter or emergencies)
If your home already uses a generator for low-solar periods, this can double as an EV charging safety net, although this is definitely not an option we would recommend relying on.
How it works
Your EV charger draws power from your system, and the generator kicks in to support it when solar and battery aren’t enough.
Pros
Reliable during cloudy weather
Prevents deep battery discharge
Good for emergencies or long trips
Cons
Not as clean, and significantly reduces the benefits of
Uses a lot of fuel
This definitely should not be your main charging strategy for cost and environmental reasons - a better option would be to utilise public charging facilities.
Using public EV chargers (a smart combo for off-grid households)
For many off-grid households, combining home charging with public charging is the sweet spot.
Why it works well
You save your home’s solar and battery capacity for essential loads.
You can top up quickly on longer trips.
Most regional areas now have public charging options, and Tasmania’s network keeps growing.
Best for
Anyone needing to charge their EV!
We recommend planning your trips around public chargers and use your off-grid system for smaller daily top-ups.
Using public charging to charge up your EV will cost around $10-$15 depending on the size of your battery, and the brand of charger you’re using. This is so much cheaper than a tank of petrol, and often is using excess solar power (if charging during the day).
Smart charging and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) options
If your EV has smart charging features or vehicle-to-load (V2L), you can take your off-grid setup even further.
Smart charging includes:
Charging only when solar is exporting
Setting timers
Using load management
Charging at very low power
Avoiding charging during low-battery periods
Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) lets you:
Use your EV as a temporary power source
Run appliances or tools
Support the house during evening peaks
This can help balance your whole system and reduce pressure on your home battery storage.
Sizing your off-grid system for EV charging
If you're considering upgrading your system or planning ahead, think about:
Your daily driving distance
Desired charging speed
Solar array size
Battery storage capacity
Winter vs. summer sunlight
Whether you have a generator
How often you’ll rely on public chargers
A bigger solar array and more battery storage offer more flexibility, but smart charging habits can make even small systems work well.
If you want any support or advice in sizing up an offgrid power system - including potential integration with EV charging options - please get in touch.
We’d love to help.
Tips for successful off-grid EV charging
Charge during daylight whenever possible
Use slow charging (2–3kW) to avoid overwhelming your system
Check battery state of charge before plugging in
Avoid full charges unless you need them
Plan winter energy use ahead of time
Use public chargers for longer trips or low-sun weeks
Keep a generator ready for emergencies
Final thoughts
Charging an EV while living off-grid can be clean, affordable, and surprisingly simple once you understand your energy flow and usage.
With the right balance of solar, battery storage, backup options and smart habits, your EV becomes another part of your sustainable lifestyle.
At This is Electric, we’re here to help make that transition easier.
Whether you’re planning a new off-grid setup, upgrading your solar, or looking for the best way to charge your EV at home, we’d love to support you.