If you own an electric car, finding electric car charging stations near your location is crucial. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about electric car charging stations and how to find them.
Locate Electric Car Charging Stations using Plug Share
Use this map to find EV charging stations located close to you.
About this EV Charging Station Map from Plugshare
PlugShare (iOS/Android/website) is a free app to easily find local public EV charging stations on a map.
It’s a community-driven, crowd-sourced app that allows users to rate a public EV charger, share their personal experiences, and contribute photos like Google Maps to better understand a charger’s location.
Things you can do with PlugShare
- Find public charging stations compatible with your EV
- Filter for connector type, charging speed, and amenities like food or bathrooms
- Check for station functionality and current availability
- Link to your favorite navigation app for directions to your selected charger
- Pay for charging with Pay with PlugShare (at participating locations) and monitor your session
- Add new charging stations to the map as you discover them
- Receive notifications when a new charger is installed nearby
- Use PlugShare with Android Auto to browse nearby charging locations, bookmarked locations, and trips you've planned from the built-in display of compatible vehicles
How it works
Charging stations are shown as pins on a map, which are sourced from a mix of charging providers, businesses and users. Orange pins indicate level 3 DC fast chargers and there are filters to sort by charging connector type, Tesla Superchargers, amenities like bathrooms and more.
Importantly, through the contributions of users, it tells you whether the charging station may be out of order or faulty, the plug types available, their AC/DC output speeds and more.
The PlugShare app is also compatible on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so finding and navigating to a nearby charger can be safely operated on the vehicle’s infotainment itself.
Are Electric Car Charging Stations Free in Australia?
There are some free electric car charging stations in Australia, but most of them require payment. Below is a guide to the best places to find free EV charging.
🛍️Shopping centres and businesses
Several businesses, universities, and shopping centres or markets offer free charging to its customers and visitors. These may include slow AC and fast DC charging points.
Of course, it's courtesy to support the business in exchange. For example, a three-hour shopping trip could provide more than 50 per cent charge on a Tesla Model 3 RWD when connected to a 11kW AC charger.
However, you should consider if deliberately driving there is worth the range consumed (if it's out of your local area or commute) and the likely time needed to queue for the free charger (as it's bound to be popular). The best way to check if there are free electric vehicle charging facilities is:
- Search using the Plugshare app;
- Check the website of the business, university or shopping centre; or
- Search using Google Maps and filter "electric vehicle charging"
🏨Hotels and motels
Hotels, motels and Airbnb hosts are increasingly providing EV destination charging facilities for guests. These can range from a standard powerpoint outlet to a Level 2 charge point capable of 22kW AC power.
If you plan on parking your car overnight, why not charge it at the same time and take advantage of free charging (or for a small fee)? It could save you $20 to $40 for a full charge compared to using public fast chargers. The best way to check if your accommodation provides electric vehicle charging facilities is:
- Search using the Plugshare app;
- Check the website/listing or contact the accommodation provider; or
- Search using Google Maps and filter "electric vehicle charging"
⚡️Jolt charging stations
Every Jolt charging station provides up to 7kWh of free charging per day, with standard rates applying thereafter. This equates to 30 to 40 km of range enough to cover the daily distance of most Australian drivers.
🔋NRMA charging stations
All NRMA fast DC chargers operated by Chargefox in New South Wales with some in Victoria and South Australia are currently free to all EV owners, without any limits. However, the state motoring club will soon make free charging exclusive to members only.
How Much Does it Cost to Charge an Electric Car at a Charging Station in Australia?
The cost of charging an electric car depends on the model and the source (charging station used). The cost of charging an electric car costs between $0.30-$0.60 per 100km, depending on where it is charged.
More information on the cost of charging are available in this guide
How do I pay for EV charging in Australia?
There are several ways to pay for EV charging in Australia, including:
- Pay-per-use: Some charging stations offer a pay-per-use option, where you pay for the electricity used at the charging station.
- Subscription-based: Some charging stations require a subscription fee, which allows you to use the charging station for a certain period.
- Mobile Apps: There are several mobile apps that allow you to find and pay for charging stations using your smartphone.
How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Car at a Charging Station?
The charging time for an electric car at a charging station can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of charging station, the capacity of the battery, and the charging rate of the vehicle. Here are the three types of charging stations and their charging times:
- Level 1 Charging Station: This type of charging station uses a standard 240-volt household outlet and can take up to 20-30 hours to fully charge an electric car.
- Level 2 Charging Station: This type of charging station that is wall-mounted and has a dedicated power source. It can take between 4-8 hours to fully charge an electric car
- Level 3 DC Fast Charging Station: This type of charging station uses a high-voltage DC power supply and can charge an electric car up to 80% in 20-45 minutes.
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