EV Charging Cost Calculator — Australia
Compare home vs public charging costs for your electric vehicle using state-specific electricity rates and real Australian charging networks.
Your result will appear here
Enter your EV details, select your state and charging mode, then click Calculate Cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
- AC public (slow): $0.30–0.50/kWh
- DC fast: $0.50–0.90/kWh
- Evie: ~$0.40–0.75/kWh
- Chargefox: ~$0.35–0.65/kWh
- BP Pulse: ~$0.45–0.80/kWh
- Tesla Supercharger: ~$0.40–0.70/kWh
- Home (EV plan, 8 c/kWh): ~$3.30
- Home (standard rate, 28 c/kWh): ~$11.50
- Public DC fast (average 65 c/kWh): ~$27.00
- Installing a private charger in your designated parking spot (requires strata approval)
- Using shared apartment chargers (increasingly common in new developments)
- Relying on public charging (more expensive and less convenient)
- Charging at work if workplace charging is available
EV Charging Cost Calculator — Australia • Updated 2026 • Estimates only — verify with your provider.
EV Charging Cost Calculator Australia 2026: Compare Home vs Public
Compare home vs public charging costs for your electric vehicle using state-specific electricity rates and real Australian charging networks.
How Much Does It Cost to Fully Charge an EV in Australia?
The cost to fully charge an EV in Australia ranges from $5–$17 at home (depending on your electricity plan) to $30–$50+ at public DC fast chargers. For a typical EV with a 60–75 kWh battery, a full 0–100% charge costs about $5–$10 on an EV overnight plan (8 c/kWh) or $30–$45 at a public fast charger. Most drivers actually charge from 20% to 80%, which costs even less — typically $3–$6 at home or $25–$35 in public.
The exact number depends on your EV model, battery size, electricity rate, charging location, and time of day. This guide breaks down every factor so you can estimate your actual charging costs.
Key Takeaways
- Home charging is 3–5× cheaper than public DC fast charging in Australia.
- EV overnight plans (as low as 8 c/kWh) offer the lowest home charging rates.
- Public charging costs vary by network — Evie, Chargefox, BP Pulse, and Tesla all have different pricing.
- Charging from 20% to 80% is more realistic and cost-effective than 0–100%.
- Solar charging can reduce costs to near-zero if you have surplus rooftop solar.
What Affects EV Charging Cost in Australia?
Several variables determine your EV charging cost. Understanding each one helps you choose the cheapest charging strategy.
1. Battery Capacity (kWh)
A larger battery stores more energy and costs more to charge. For example, a Tesla Model 3 (62 kWh) costs less to fully charge than a Mercedes EQE (90.6 kWh).
2. Electricity Price (c/kWh)
Electricity rates vary by state, time of day, and plan type. Off-peak rates can be as low as 8 c/kWh, while standard peak rates reach 35 c/kWh. Official Australian Energy Regulator data provides the latest default market offers.
3. Charging Location
Home charging is consistently cheaper than public charging. Public DC fast chargers cost 50–90 c/kWh compared to 8–35 c/kWh at home.
4. State of Charge (SOC)
Most drivers don't charge from 0% to 100% daily. Charging from 20% to 80% (a 60% charge) costs significantly less than a full 0–100% charge.
5. Charging Loss
Charging is not 100% efficient. 5–15% of energy is lost as heat during the AC-to-DC conversion. You pay for this lost energy, so a 10% loss means you draw 10% more electricity than your battery actually stores.
Home EV Charging Cost in Australia
Home charging is the most convenient and affordable way to charge an EV in Australia — especially with the right electricity plan. For more detail on charging infrastructure and trends, see the Australian Government's EV resources.
Standard Electricity Rates
If you're on a standard residential tariff, you'll pay between 22–35 c/kWh depending on your state. At 28 c/kWh, charging a 62 kWh Tesla Model 3 from 20% to 80% costs about $11.50.
Off-Peak Charging
Many electricity providers offer off-peak rates for overnight usage, typically 15–20 c/kWh. This reduces your cost to about $7–$9 for the same 20–80% charge.
EV-Specific Overnight Plans
Specialised EV plans — such as AGL Night Saver, Origin EV Power Up, and Amber EV — offer rates as low as 8 c/kWh during off-peak hours. This drops the cost of a 20–80% charge to just $3–$4.
Solar EV Charging
If you have rooftop solar, charging during daylight hours can reduce your cost to near-zero. Instead of exporting solar to the grid at 5–10 c/kWh, you use it to charge your EV — effectively paying only the opportunity cost of the feed-in tariff (5–10 c/kWh). The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has published studies on solar‑EV integration.
Public EV Charging Cost in Australia
Public charging is essential for apartment dwellers, renters, and road trippers. Costs vary significantly by network and charger speed. The Electric Vehicle Council regularly publishes reports on charging network pricing and adoption.
AC Public Charging (Slow)
AC public chargers (typically 7–22 kW) cost $0.30–0.50/kWh. At 40 c/kWh, a 20–80% charge on a Tesla Model 3 costs about $16.50.
DC Fast Charging
DC fast chargers (50–350 kW) are more expensive, ranging from $0.50–0.90/kWh. At 65 c/kWh, the same 20–80% charge costs about $27.00.
Public Network Pricing Comparison
| Network | AC (c/kWh) | DC Fast (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Evie Networks | ~42 | ~55–75 |
| Chargefox | ~38 | ~50–65 |
| BP Pulse | ~45 | ~65–80 |
| Tesla Supercharger | — | ~55–65 |
| AGL | ~38 | ~50–60 |
Home vs Public Charging: The Real Cost Difference
The difference between home and public charging is substantial. Over a full year, the gap can exceed $1,000 for average drivers (13,000 km/year).
Example: A Tesla Model 3 driver charging from 20% to 80% every second day would pay:
- Home (EV plan, 8 c/kWh): ~$3.30 per charge → ~$600/year
- Public DC (65 c/kWh): ~$27.00 per charge → ~$4,900/year
That's a saving of over $4,300/year by charging at home. For apartment dwellers and renters who can't install a home charger, public charging remains the only option — but understanding the costs helps plan better.
State-by-State Electricity Rates for EV Charging
Electricity prices vary significantly across Australian states, affecting your home charging cost. The table below shows approximate rates (c/kWh) for each state, based on data from state regulators including Victoria's ESC, NSW's IPART, and the Queensland Competition Authority.
| State | Standard | Off-Peak | EV Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 28 | 18 | 8 |
| VIC | 26 | 16 | 8 |
| QLD | 24 | 15 | 8 |
| SA | 30 | 19 | 8 |
| WA | 28 | 18 | 8 |
| TAS | 22 | 14 | 8 |
| ACT | 26 | 16 | 8 |
Rates are indicative and based on 2025–26 data. Actual plans may vary. Check with your provider for current rates.
EV Charging Cost vs Petrol
One of the main reasons drivers switch to EVs is lower running costs. Here's how EV charging compares to petrol for an average Australian driver, using Global Petrol Prices data for fuel cost context.
Assumptions: Petrol price $1.80/L, petrol car consumption 8.0 L/100km, EV efficiency 17 kWh/100km, home EV plan rate 8 c/kWh.
| Metric | EV (Home) | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per 100 km | ~$1.36 | ~$14.40 |
| Cost per km | ~$0.014 | ~$0.144 |
| Annual (13,000 km) | ~$177 | ~$1,872 |
| Annual Savings | ~$1,695 | |
Even with a standard electricity rate (28 c/kWh), EV running costs are significantly lower — about $580/year vs $1,870/year for petrol, saving nearly $1,300/year.
How to Calculate EV Charging Cost Yourself
You can calculate your EV charging cost using this simple formula:
Formula:
Cost ($) = Battery Capacity (kWh) × (Target% − Current%) / 100 × Electricity Rate ($/kWh) ÷ (1 − Charging Loss)
Example: Tesla Model 3 (62 kWh), 20% → 80%, EV plan (8 c/kWh = $0.08/kWh), 10% charging loss.
Total Drawn = 37.2 / (1−0.10) = 41.3 kWh
Cost = 41.3 × 0.08 = $3.30
Frequently Asked Questions
- AC public (slow): $0.30–0.50/kWh
- DC fast: $0.50–0.90/kWh
- Evie: ~$0.40–0.75/kWh
- Chargefox: ~$0.35–0.65/kWh
- BP Pulse: ~$0.45–0.80/kWh
- Tesla Supercharger: ~$0.40–0.70/kWh
- Home (EV plan, 8 c/kWh): ~$3.30
- Home (standard rate, 28 c/kWh): ~$11.50
- Public DC fast (average 65 c/kWh): ~$27.00
- Installing a private charger in your designated parking spot (requires strata approval)
- Using shared apartment chargers (increasingly common in new developments)
- Relying on public charging (more expensive and less convenient)
- Charging at work if workplace charging is available
EV Charging Cost Calculator — Australia • Updated 2026 • Estimates only — verify with your provider.
References: AER · Energy.gov.au · ARENA · EVC · ATO