by Dawn Teh
posted on February 23, 2024
You’re probably looking into an electric car to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on fuel costs. But there’s the all-important question you’ll need to answer before committing to your choice — how much does it cost to charge an electric car?
A guide to EV charging costs in Australia
In this guide, you’ll learn about the different types of electric vehicle (EV) charging costs in Australia (including at-home charging and public charging stations). We’ll also answer some common questions about EV charging such as how long it takes to charge an electric car, how to calculate charging costs, and whether you can charge your car for free.
The average cost to charge an electric car in Australia
The cost of charging an electric car can vary depending on where you’re charging, the size of your vehicle, and the type of charging station you’re using.
As a general guide, a study by Ocular found that charging your EV at home in New South Wales would cost around 28.54 c/kWh (cents per kilowatt-hour) which would be $18.55 for a full charge and $5.14 per 100 km.
In another state like South Australia, a full charge could cost $23.48 and $6.50 per 100 km.
If you used a public charging station (which uses DC fast charging), you could be paying $0.40 to $0.60 per kWh, which works out to be $7.20 to $10.80 per 100 km.
AC vs DC and charging levels
Before we get into the details about EV charging costs, here are some terms to familiarise yourself with.
AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) are two types of electric currents that can be used to charge an electric car. AC charging is slower and less powerful compared to DC charging. Level 1 and 2 charging uses AC power and typically takes several hours to fully charge an electric car.
On the other hand, DC fast charging can take as little as 20 minutes and is mostly found at public charging stations.
Electric car home charging costs
Home charging is the most convenient and cost-effective way to charge an EV or plug-in hybrid EV. There are two types of home charging stations: Level 1 and Level 2. Here’s a breakdown of how much it costs to use each type of charger.
Level 1 Home EV Charging Stations
Level 1 charging stations use a standard three-point power outlet and cost $500 to $2,000 for the unit itself (not including installation). Charging rates are usually between $0.15-0.30 per kWh for residential electricity. In terms of charging an EV, this would work out to be around $8 to $15 for a full charge. This is the most cost-effective option but it takes longer to charge. So it’s best suited for those who are able to plug in their EV overnight.
Because these charging stations can be plugged into regular wall sockets, you could install them yourself. However, you might want to hire an electrician to check that your power outlet is able to accommodate the station so it doesn’t overload.
Wall box (Level 2 chargers)
Level 2 chargers, also known as wall boxes, offer faster charging capacity compared to Level 1 chargers. These chargers require professional installation and a dedicated electrical circuit.
Ongoing electricity prices for Level 2 chargers at home will range between $0.15-0.30 per kWh. At an average of $0.20 per kWh, this would work out to be around $8 to $15 for a full charge, as the capacity of EV batteries varies between cars.
The wall box itself can cost between $700 to $2000, depending on the brand and its features. Installation is also more complicated than a Level 1 charger and requires the expertise of an electrician. This means you can expect to pay anything ranging from $800 to $2000 to get your station installed, depending on the complexity of the job.
Household solar
If I have solar panels in my house does it reduce charging costs?
Harnessing the sun’s energy through household solar panels is a great way to significantly reduce the cost of charging your EV. Initial setup costs for a solar panel system can be substantial, but many find the investment pays off in the long term through reduced electricity bills. Also, the government offers incentives and rebates to encourage the uptake of solar energy, which can help offset the installation costs.
The cost of solar panel systems start at around $3,000 and can go up to $10,000, depending on the system’s capacity and technology.
Electric car public charging costs
Public EV charging stations are typically found in public places such as car parks, shopping centres, and service stations. They are a convenient option if you need to charge your vehicle while on the go.
Many of these stations offer fast-charging options, which can recharge an EV battery up to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Here’s a closer look at the different types of public charging stations and their rates.
Commercial charging stations
Commercial public charging stations come in different levels, with Level 1 being the slowest and Level 3 being the fastest.
Level 2 public charging stations are more commonly found in Australia and use a higher voltage than Level 1 chargers. They can fully charge an electric car in approximately 4-6 hours.
Level 3 chargers are sometimes referred to as DC fast chargers or rapid charging stations. Level 3 chargers can charge a car to 100% in as little as half an hour.
The cost of using public commercial charging stations varies depending on the location and type of charger. Generally, Level 2 chargers cost between $0.30-$0.40 per kWh , and this roughly equates to $14 to $28 for a full charge (depending on the size of your car battery). DC fast chargers can cost around $0.40-$0.70 per kWh.
Council charging stations
Council charging stations usually charge a similar fee to commercial charging stations with Level 2 chargers ranging between $0.30-$0.40 per kWh.
Tesla superchargers
Tesla superchargers are DC fast chargers, which means you can expect to pay between $0.40-$0.70 per kWh.
Electric car vs petrol car costs
Without the need for petrol, you may be wondering — ‘are electric cars cheaper than petrol cars?’
According to Transport for NSW, compared to vehicles that run on fuel, EVs are 70% cheaper to run because there’s no need for petrol or diesel. This would amount to an average saving of $1000 a year assuming you travel an average of 13,700 km per year.
Electric car vs hybrid car costs
Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery, allowing them to switch between petrol and electric power depending on driving conditions. On the other hand, electric vehicles run solely on electricity stored in a large battery pack, making them completely emission-free. So how do they stack up in terms of running costs?
According to the Climate Council, electric cars cost an average of $529 to $554 to charge each year, while you can expect to spend between $850 to $1,280 on fuel costs annually for a hybrid.
How do you charge an electric car?
- Park your electric car in a designated public charging spot or your own personal charging station at home.
- Turn off your car and ensure the charging port is accessible.
- Plug the charging cable into your car and plug the other end of the charger cable into a power source (like a wall outlet or charging station). If you’re at a public charging station, you might need to download the EV charging station’s app on your smartphone to begin the process.
- Start charging!
- Once fully charged, unplug the charger from both your car and power source.
Electric car charging time
The time it takes to charge an electric car depends on the type of charger and the battery capacity of the vehicle, and can take anywhere from half an hour to over 12 hours.
Typically, a standard home outlet (Level 1 charging) would take around 8 hours to get 100 km of range, while a fast-charging station (Level 3) would take only half an hour for the same amount.
Of course, the exact time will also depend on your car’s battery capacity and how much energy is already stored in your battery before beginning the charging process.
Electric car charging tips
- When in public, use a certified charging station for optimal safety and efficiency.
- Consider using a timer to schedule charging during off-peak hours for cost savings.
- Regularly check and clean the charging port to ensure proper connection and efficient charging.
- Avoid leaving the car plugged in for extended periods of time, as it can also lead to overcharging and damage to the battery.
- Avoid extension cables as they can overheat.
- Limit quick charging as it can shorten the life of your battery.
How long do electric car batteries last?
Although some estimate that electric car batteries last between 10 to 20 years, most car manufacturers only guarantee them for up to 8 years or 160,000 km.
Do electric cars lose charge when parked?
Electric car batteries lose about 1% of their charge a day when left inactive. This discharge rate is considered very low and should not affect your car’s driving range. However, it’s best to check your vehicle manual which will have recommendations about whether you should leave your EV charging when not in use for an extended period of time.
Can you charge an electric vehicle while driving?
There is currently no way to charge an electric vehicle while driving.
What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car?
The cheapest way to charge an electric car is by using a Level 1 home charging station. This option also allows you to take advantage of lower electricity rates during off-peak hours overnight.
How to calculate the cost of charging an EV
Use this simple formula to calculate the cost of charging your EV:
EV Battery Size (kWh) x Electricity Rate ($ per kWh) = Charging Cost ($).
Can you charge your car for free?
You can find free charging stations on the PlugShare map by selecting “free charging” under the “Amenities” section of the search filters.
Your best bet for finding free EV charging stations is to look around public car parks or shopping centres. However, bear in mind that many of them won’t use fast chargers. You can also get 7 kWh of free charging each day at Jolt charging stations.
Book an EV on Turo
From the compact BYD Dolphin to the luxurious Tesla Model S, book the perfect electric vehicle for any trip on Turo. You can also enjoy convenient extras like child seats or GPS systems, and even request delivery to a custom location.
Whether you have a road trip planned or just want to experience owning an EV for a week, book your EV on Turo today!
Dawn Teh
Dawn, an ex-psychologist and avid travel writer, blends her expertise in human behaviour with her passion for adventure. Her writing reflects a unique perspective on personal growth, wanderlust and what it is that helps humans thrive. Her current mission is to live the van life and tour the Australian outback with her family.
