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

Charging an electric vehicle (EV) at home in Australia is significantly cheaper than fueling a petrol car. Home EV charging costs around $5–$7 per 100 km, while petrol costs $12–$15 per 100 km, nearly twice as expensive. Using solar power can reduce EV charging costs to $0, making ownership even more affordable.

For example, charging a Hyundai Kona Electric at home costs approximately $580 per year, while fueling a Hyundai Kona Petrol costs $1,242 annually for the same distance (10,000 km). By leveraging off-peak electricity rates, EV-specific energy plans, and solar charging, drivers can cut their EV charging costs by over 50% annually.

Read the guide below to see how different charging methods, electricity rates, and solar options impact your total EV charging costs and potential savings.

More Australian drivers are going electric than ever before. However, it can’t be ignored that in 2024 battery electric vehicle sales tipped over the 91,000 mark, only slightly higher than in 2023. This was a significant slow down after several years of rapid year-on-year growth.

2025 is expected to see further growth though, as one pressing barrier to uptake – price – goes headfirst down the slippery-dip of increasing competition as new Chinese EV brands hit the market.

But one factor many prospective EV owners often misunderstand is how cheap it can be to charge an EV. 

Understanding EV charging costs is crucial because knowing when and where to charge an EV can reduce annual running costs by thousands, making owning an EV even more affordable.

But there’s a lot to take in. This guide breaks down the key factors that affect charging costs, cost comparisons between EVs and petrol cars, and actionable ways to save on EV charging.

Curious about whether you need an EV charger at home and how to choose the right one? Check out our EV Charger Guide for everything you need to know.

Factors influencing EV charging costs

Several variables impact the overall cost of charging an electric vehicle in Australia. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant factors:

All about electricity rates

• Flat-Rate Tariffs: A flat electricity rate that remains consistent throughout the day.
• Time-of-Use (ToU) Tariffs: Different rates depending on the time of day. Off-peak rates (usually overnight) are significantly cheaper, so charging at night might make sense if you don’t have access to free solar electricity.
• Demand Tariffs: A demand tariff charges based on your highest electricity use at any one time (measured in kilowatts), rather than solely on the total electricity you use over time (measured in kilowatt-hours). This is not an ideal tariff for EV charging because even at the slowest charging rate, EVs typically draw at least 1 kilowatt of power and may lead to higher costs.
• Controlled Load Tariffs: Most people know controlled load tariffs as a portion of the bill that controls when the hot water system can heat. Under controlled load tariffs, the local energy provider (eg Essential Energy) can temporarily cut off electricity supply for several hours at a time to balance grid demand. These tariffs are also often used for underfloor heating, and pool pumps, and offer lower, flat-rate charges compared to standard supply tariffs. Ask your electrician to check if your local network provider (eg Ausgrid) has approved EV chargers as an appliance for a controlled load circuit.
• EV-Specific Tariffs: Some energy providers offer EV charging plans tailored for EV owners with lower rates during off-peak hours. 
• Combination tariff: Some energy retailers offer complex tariffs that use a combination of the above tariffs.

Charging methods

• Home Charging: The most common and cost-effective option for EV owners. Home charging allows flexibility, especially if paired with solar energy.
• Solar Charging: Using surplus solar power can drastically reduce or even eliminate charging costs if timed correctly.
• Public Charging: Public AC and DC fast chargers provide convenience but can be significantly more expensive than home charging. AC “destination” charging typically takes a few hours and might be found at a shopping centre or workplace. DC charging is the fastest and most expensive, typically taking 15-45 minutes to recharge the vehicle depending on the model and charging unit.

Battery size and EV efficiency

• EVs vary in battery size and energy consumption. For instance, the Tesla Model 3 is more aerodynamic and uses the energy from the battery more efficiently compared to other electric SUVs like the Hyundai Kona Electric.
• Larger batteries means more weight to carry around, impacting the efficiency of the EV. While the larger battery size often means a longer driving range, the trade off is higher charging costs.

Other EV charging cost considerations

• Public Charging Fees: How much is charged per kilowatt hour of energy differs depending on the Charge Point Operator (CPO), and other settings. For example, DC charging is faster than AC charging, and may cost more. Also, some privately owned charge points, such as those owned by shopping centres, may be free as a courtesy to customers.
• Idle Fees: Some networks charge idle fees if your EV remains plugged in after it’s fully charged, to discourage owners from leaving their EV there for too long.
• Electricity Price Fluctuations: Rising energy prices can impact the cost of home charging, especially at public chargers and for those not on flat rate plans.

Cost scenarios for EV Charging in Australia

Let’s break down the average costs for different charging methods based on current electricity prices in Australia.

Home charging costs

Average residential electricity prices in 2024

According to Canstar Blue, average electricity rates vary by state and provider. Here are some typical rates of Australia’s energy networks in 2024:

• NSW (Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy): 34.5c/kWh
• VIC (AusNet, Citipower, Jemena, Powercor and United Energy): 29.3c/kWh
• QLD (Energex): 32.1c/kWh
• SA (SA Power Networks): 44.2c/kWh
• ACT (Evoenergy): 28.6c/kWh
• Tasmania (TasNetworks): 28.1c/kWh

Example cost of charging an EV at home in NSW

For a Tesla Model 3 with a 60kWh battery and a range of 400 km:

• Energy required for a full charge: 60kWh
• Cost per full charge in NSW: 60kWh * 34.5c = $20.70
• Cost per 100 km: $5.18

Charging with solar power

Surplus solar power can effectively reduce costs to $0 if charging occurs during peak sunlight hours. The only drawback is that it requires daytime charging, which may not always align with your schedule. 

Also, it helps to install an EV charger that can communicate with your solar inverter so that it only uses renewable power when it is being produced.

Public charging costs

• AC Charging: Can be free or have a grace period depending on the location, but typically costs 10-40c/ kWh. For example, Jolt offers 7kWh of free charging daily.
• DC Fast Charging: Typically 40-70c/kWh.
• Idle Fees: $0.50 to $1 per minute if you remain connected after charging is complete.

Typical EV charging mix scenario

According to the Electric Vehicle Council, the average Australian EV driver charges at home 80% of the time, and at public chargers for the remaining 20% of the time. Assuming half of the at-home charging uses free solar energy, and all public charger use is at DC fast chargers that cost 60c/kWh, here’s an example of annual costs for the Tesla Model 3 owners above living in NSW and driving 10,000 km annually:

• Home Charging (40%): 4,000 km @ 34.5c/kWh = $207.20/year
• Solar Charging* (10%): 4,000 km @ $0.00/kWh = $0/year
• Public Charging (20%): 2,000 km @ $0.60/kWh = $180/year
• Total Annual Cost: $387.20

* Solar charging may cost feed-in-tariff loss

Comparing EV charging costs to petrol costs

To illustrate the potential savings, let’s compare the annual costs of an electric vehicle and a petrol vehicle for 10,000 km of driving.

Key Takeaway: Charging an EV can cost less than 50% that of fueling a petrol vehicle in the above scenario. This will change depending on driving conditions and charging patterns.

* EV Database ** Real World Testing Program

How to save on EV charging costs

There are several ways to minimize your EV charging expenses:

1. Charge During Off-Peak Hours: Many energy plans offer significantly lower rates during off-peak times, such as late at night or early morning.
2. Leverage EV-Specific Energy Plans: Some providers offer special plans for EV owners that include discounted rates for charging during specific times.
3. Invest in Solar for Home Charging: Installing solar panels can drastically reduce home charging costs, especially if you can charge your EV during the day when your panels are generating surplus energy.
4. Avoid Idle Fees: Make sure to move your vehicle once it’s fully charged to avoid idle fees. Check CPO apps or Plugshare for more information.
5. Use Free Charging Options: Take advantage of free or discounted charging stations offered by networks like Jolt.
6. Monitor Energy Prices: Consider switching energy providers if electricity prices increase. Platforms like Solar Choice provide comparisons of different energy plans.

Future of EV charging costs

The future of EV charging costs in Australia is likely to be influenced by technological advancements and changes in infrastructure. Key trends include:

Bi-Directional charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) solutions

• Bi-directional charging allows EVs to send electricity back to the grid, potentially earning rebates or reducing home energy bills.

Increased demand and potential price changes

• As EV adoption grows, the demand for electricity is expected to increase. This may lead to infrastructure strain and potential changes to electricity pricing structures.

Government incentives and policies

• The Australian government continues to support EV adoption through subsidies and infrastructure investment, which may help stabilize charging costs in the long term.

Key Takeaways

As we can see, charging an EV can conservatively save more than 50% the cost of petrol refueling, and even more when using solar charging.

However, public charging can be expensive, and factors like idle fees and rising energy prices can add up.

Ready to start saving? Charge during off-peak hours, choose an EV energy plan, use solar energy when possible, and avoid common pitfalls to maximize savings. 

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Bridie Schmidt

Bridie Schmidt is a leading voice in electric vehicle (EV) journalism, with over 30 years of experience in media, communications, and digital production. She is currently the EV Hub Editor at NRMA, where she drives electric vehicle content strategy. She has appeared on industry-leading podcasts, including "Download This Show" with Marc Fennell and "Shirtloads of Science" with Karl Kruszelnicki, sharing insights on zero-emissions transport and sustainability.

As a co-organizer of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum, Bridie is actively involved in EV advocacy and community engagement. She also owns a Tesla Model Y.

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