Find out how much it costs to charge your electric car in Australia, and how long it takes. Choose your EV, your charger (home wall box, standard power point or public DC fast charger) and your electricity rate in cents per kWh. The calculator shows your cost per charge, cost per 100 km and how much you save compared with petrol.
Prices in AUD. Battery and charging specs come from the Zecar EV database.
How to calculate the cost of charging an electric car
The cost of a charge comes down to three numbers: how much energy you add, what you pay per kWh, and a small allowance for charging losses.
Charging cost = kWh added × price per kWh × 1.1
Worked example: A Tesla Model Y with a 60 kWh battery, charged from 20% to 80%, adds 36 kWh. At a home rate of 30c/kWh, that's 36 × $0.30 × 1.1 = $11.88. That is enough for roughly 220 km of driving.
The kWh added is your battery size multiplied by the percentage you charge. The 10% allowance covers energy lost as heat in the charger and battery, which is higher on slow AC charging.
Home vs public charging costs in Australia
Where you charge matters more than which EV you drive. Typical costs to add 50 kWh:
| Where you charge | Typical rate | Cost to add 50 kWh | Time to add 50 kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home, EV or off-peak plan | 6–15c/kWh | $3–$8 | 7–8 hrs (7 kW wall charger) |
| Home, standard rate | 25–35c/kWh | $13–$18 | 7–8 hrs (7 kW) or about 24 hrs (power point) |
| Public AC destination charger | 30–50c/kWh | $15–$25 | 7–8 hrs (7 kW) |
| Public DC fast charger | 55–75c/kWh | $28–$38 | 20–60 mins depending on charger and car |
You'll pay the least by charging at home overnight on a time-of-use or EV plan. See the best EV electricity plans in Australia, or compare plans for your state, such as NSW.
How long does it take to charge an EV?
Charging time is the energy you add divided by the charging speed. The charging speed is the lower of the charger's power and your car's maximum charge rate.
- Standard power point (about 2.3 kW): adds roughly 10–15 km of range per hour. Fine for short daily commutes.
- Home wall charger (7 kW single-phase, up to 22 kW three-phase): a full overnight charge for most EVs.
- DC fast charger (50–350 kW): 10–80% in roughly 20–45 minutes on most recent EVs. Speed drops off above 80%.
For your car's exact AC and DC charging speeds, see the EV charging guides for each model.
What changes your EV charging cost
- Your electricity plan: EV plans with cheap overnight rates can cut home charging costs by more than half.
- Solar: charging from rooftop solar during the day costs you only the feed-in tariff you give up.
- Efficiency: larger, heavier EVs and highway driving use more kWh per 100 km.
- Weather: cold mornings and heavy air-conditioning use reduce efficiency.
EV Charging Calculator – FAQs
How do I use this EV charging calculator?
Pick your car model, then your charger type: a standard power point, a home wall charger or a public DC fast charger. Set your battery's starting and target charge, enter your electricity price in cents per kWh, and add how far you drive on weekdays and weekends. The calculator shows the time and cost to charge, your weekly and yearly charging cost, and your savings compared with a petrol car.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Australia?
It depends mainly on where you charge. At home on a typical rate of about 30c/kWh, adding 50 kWh to a battery costs around $15. On an EV or off-peak plan at about 6–15c/kWh, the same charge costs $3–$8. Public DC fast chargers usually cost 55–75c/kWh, or roughly $28–$38 for 50 kWh. Charging at home overnight is almost always the cheapest option.
How do you calculate the cost of charging an EV?
Multiply the energy you add (in kWh) by your electricity price, then allow about 10% for charging losses. For example, charging a 60 kWh battery from 20% to 80% adds 36 kWh. At 30c/kWh that is 36 × $0.30 = $10.80, or about $11.90 with losses. The calculator does this for you using your car's real battery size.
How much does it cost to drive 100 km in an electric car?
Most EVs use 15–18 kWh per 100 km. At 30c/kWh, 16 kWh per 100 km costs about $4.80. A petrol car using 7 L/100 km at $2.00 a litre costs about $14 for the same distance. On a cheap overnight EV plan, the electric cost can fall below $2 per 100 km.
How long does it take to charge an EV?
It depends on the charger and your car's maximum charging speed. Adding 36 kWh (20% to 80% on a 60 kWh battery) takes about 16–18 hours on a 2.3 kW power point, 5–6 hours on a 7 kW home wall charger, 45–50 minutes on a 50 kW DC charger, and about 20–30 minutes on a 150 kW+ charger if your car supports it. Charging slows down above 80%.
Is it cheaper to charge at home or at a public charger?
Home charging is usually far cheaper, especially on an EV electricity plan with low overnight rates. Public fast charging can cost two to five times more per kWh, but it's the practical option on road trips or if you can't charge at home. Compare the best EV electricity plans to cut your home charging cost.