What’s the Cheapest Way to Charge Your EV?

The cheapest way to charge your EV in Australia is at home using solar power or off-peak electricity. Charging directly from excess rooftop solar can cost as little as $0.00–$0.10 per kWh, while off-peak grid charging can be around $0.20 per kWh. In comparison, fast public charging can cost $0.40–$0.60 per kWh or more, making home charging up to 80% cheaper.

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Why the cost of charging an EV changes so much

Electric cars are always cheaper to run than gas cars, but the cost of each “fill” can be very different. That’s because five things affect it: where you plug in, when you plug in, how fast you charge, what kind of energy you use, and whether a network charges you for being idle or for using the network at certain times. Learn how to use those levers, and you’ll be able to keep your costs low without giving up convenience.

Understanding how to charge an electric vehicle

Your battery is like a water tank, and the charger is like a hose. Kilowatt-hours (kWh) are used to measure the size of a battery, and kilowatts (kW) are used to measure how fast it charges. If the car can handle the flow, the bigger the hose, the faster the refill. Most new electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia use about 15 to 20 kWh of power per 100 km. Battery sizes range from 40 kWh to 120 kWh, which means that a full charge can take you about 200 to 600 km, depending on the model and the conditions.

Driving every day doesn’t usually empty the tank. Five to twelve kilowatt-hours of energy per day can cover the average Australian’s commute. That’s why slow but cheap home charging meets most needs, and fast public charging is best for road trips and emergencies.

Charger types and where they fit

Charger Level	Speed (kW)	Range Added Per Hour	Best Use Case	Cost Range*
Level 1 (Trickle)	1.4–2.4 kW	10–15 km	Overnight home charging or emergency use	~$0.10–$0.25/kWh
Level 2 (Top-Up)	7–22 kW	40–120 km	Home wallbox, workplaces, shopping centres	~$0.15–$0.30/kWh
Level 3 (Rapid/Ultra-Rapid)	25–350 kW	150–300 km	Highway stops, long trips	~$0.40–$0.60+/kWh

*Cost varies by energy source, time of use, and provider.

Level 1 at home

A portable lead that fits in a regular socket is slow but works. It adds 10 to 15 kilometers per hour, which is enough to make up for a normal commute overnight. Setting it up is the least expensive because it usually comes with the car. For a lot of city drivers, this is enough to keep the battery charged without having to spend more money.

The cheapest way to charge your EV in Australia is at home using solar power or off-peak electricity

Level 2 at work or home

A dedicated wallbox on a single-phase supply can give you up to 7.4kW, and on three-phase, up to 22kW (but the car’s onboard AC charger limits this). For most owners, this is the best place. You can go 40 to 120 kilometers per hour, set up schedules, and use solar power. The unit and installation will cost between $1,000 and $2,000. The unit often pays for itself through lower tariffs and smarter charging.

Level 3 on the road

DC fast and ultra-rapid chargers connect directly to the battery and can add 150 to 300 km of range in the time it takes to get a coffee. They are great for long trips, but they do cost more for the convenience. Don’t make them a daily habit; use them wisely.

Where to charge in daily life

Charging at home is the best option. The savings are at home. If you have parking off the street, you can save a lot of money by combining off-peak rates with smart scheduling and rooftop solar. Over time, feed-in tariffs have gone down, so it’s usually better to use your own solar power during the day than to sell it. A modern smart wallbox can:

• Automatically start and stop during off-peak times

• Keep an eye on the loads in your home and don’t trip breakers

• Make sure your car gets enough sun first by prioritizing extra solar.

• Only charge your car to 80% on weekdays and 100% before road trips.

It’s easy to do good things. When you get home, plug it in. Let the charger choose the cheapest time. Get up and get ready for the day without having to think about it.

Charging at work and at your destination

Level 2 chargers are becoming more common in places like workplaces, shopping malls, libraries, community centers, and resorts all over Australia. These are great for getting more while you work, shop, or swim. Some are free, while others charge regular AC rates. The slower speed doesn’t matter because you’re parked anyway, and the cost per kWh is usually lower than at highway sites.

Fast charging on the highway

You will need Charge fox, Evie, BP Pulse, Tesla, and other networks for road trips and short trips in your area. Chargers along major highways like the Hume, Calder, and Pacific make long drives possible. The cost is the trade-off. You should expect to pay by the hour or by the kWh, plus extra fees if you leave your device plugged in after charging. Plan your stops, arrive low, and leave when you’re about 80% full. This will help you move quickly and cheaply.

What it really costs to charge

Location & Method	Cost per kWh	60kWh Battery (Full Charge)	Range (300–400km)
Home – Solar Excess	$0–$0.10	$0–$6	Cheapest possible
Home – Off-Peak Grid	$0.20	$12	Very cost-effective
Public Level 2	$0.25–$0.35	$15–$21	Moderate
Public Fast (Level 3)	$0.40–$0.60	$24–$36	Expensive but fast
Petrol Car (for same trip)	—	~$50	Most expensive

These ballparks assume ~18kWh/100km efficiency. Your actual numbers shift with speed, weather, terrain, tyre pressure and how much cargo you carry. Even with those variables, home charging almost always wins on cost.

Set cheap charging as your default option.

Lock in low rates

Time-of-use plans are great for people who don’t have solar. A lot of energy companies now have plans that are good for electric vehicles and have cheaper overnight hours. Set your wallbox or the car’s built-in scheduler to go off during those times. If you have a controlled load or demand tariff in your home, ask your electrician or store if an EV charger can be put on that circuit and what the rules are in your state.

Let smart charging do the work for you.

A good wallbox can read the current clamp sensors on your home’s power supply and automatically raise or lower the charging speed so you never go over your limit. When you add solar power to it, it will chase down extra generation, which means you can often charge for just a few cents per kWh. It can stop or slow down if the clouds come in so it doesn’t have to draw peak-price grid power.

Try to hit the 20–80 mark.

Between 20% and 80%, batteries charge the fastest and most efficiently. Charging slows down above 80% to protect the health of the cells. The last 10–20% can take almost as long as the first 60%. Set a goal of 80% for driving every day. Charge it to 100% before a long trip and leave soon after to avoid having to store a full battery.

Chemistry note: A lot of cars use NMC cells that like to stay below 100% except when they’re on the road. Some models with LFP cells can handle 100% more often and even suggest it for calibration. Look at your owner’s manual.

• Get there early when it’s convenient so that more of your session is in the fast zone.

• Leave at 70–85% unless you need more for the next leg

• Watch out for idle fees and move quickly when you’re done

• If your car charges slowly, choose per-kWh sites; per-minute pricing punishes older or cold batteries

• Use apps to compare prices and status before you take a detour

Setting up home charging the right way

Choose the right wallbox

Consider these when buying:

Amperage and phases
- Single-phase homes typically support 7.4kW
- Three-phase homes can support 11–22kW if the car’s onboard AC charger allows it
Solar integration
- Look for a solar tracking mode or compatibility with your inverter brand
Connectivity and app
- Scheduling, usage logs, lockout features, firmware updates
Load management
- Dynamic throttling to protect your main supply
Cable type
- A Type 2 tethered cable is the Australian standard and most convenient

Always use a licensed electrician. They will install the circuit, RCD protection and earthing to code, and can advise on switchboard capacity upgrades if needed.

Safety essentials at home

Avoid long extension leads for EV charging
Keep charging cables flat and visible to prevent trips
Do not cover the brick of a portable charger; it needs airflow
Check cables and sockets periodically for heat or damage
In heavy rain, rely on the charger’s rated weatherproofing and keep connectors clean

Apartment and street-parking solutions

Strata living adds a layer, but it is doable:

Retrofitting car parks with shared Level 2 chargers and access control
User-pays billing via RFID or app so energy is charged fairly
Load-sharing systems that let many cars charge from limited capacity without upgrades
Metered outlets on pillars for portable chargers where wallboxes are impractical

Where on-site charging is not yet possible, residents often combine workplace, destination and nearby public Level 2 charging with a weekly stop at a fast DC site.

Planning road trips without bill shock

The 70–80% hop strategy

On long drives, it is faster and cheaper to make more short stops than one long fill. Fast chargers operate at their peak speed when your battery is low. Stopping from 15% to 75% twice is typically quicker and costs less than pushing from 15% to 100% once.

Precondition for speed

Most EVs can precondition the battery—warming or cooling it—on the way to a DC charger. A conditioned battery accepts higher power immediately, shortening your stop and reducing per-minute fees. Use the in-car nav to a known fast charger; many cars will precondition automatically.

Real-world cost example

A Melbourne to Sydney trip is roughly 880km. At 18kWh/100km, you need about 158kWh:

Home off-peak before departure: 40kWh at $0.20 = $8
Two highway stops totalling 118kWh at $0.50 = $59
Total energy cost ≈ $67 for the trip

A comparable petrol car at 7.5L/100km with fuel at $2.00/L spends $132. Even with fast charging in the mix, the EV wins.

Understanding pricing models and fees

Public networks use different billing methods:

Per kWh
- Most transparent and fair across vehicles
Per minute
- Can be expensive for cars that charge slowly or when the battery is cold
Session fees and idle fees
- Encourage turnover; keep an eye on app notifications
Membership discounts
- Some networks offer cheaper rates or member specials

Before you set off, open the app for your target site and check current price, stall availability, power rating and reported faults.

Driving style, weather and energy use

Your efficiency affects your bill:

Speed
- Aerodynamic drag rises quickly above highway limits; a small reduction in speed saves a surprising amount of energy
Tyres
- Keep pressures at the recommended PSI; under-inflation hurts range and tyre life
Roof racks and cargo
- Remove racks when unused; extra drag can cost 10–15% at highway speed
Climate control
- Pre-heat or pre-cool while plugged in; heat pumps are far more efficient than resistive heaters
Terrain
- Regenerative braking recovers energy on descents; in hilly regions, plan for higher consumption on the climb

Even accounting for these factors, off-peak or solar charging keeps your cost per 100km dramatically below petrol.

Battery health and long-term savings

Charging habits influence battery longevity:

Shallow cycles are kinder than frequent 0–100% swings
Avoid long storage at 0% or 100%, especially in hot weather
Use fast charging when you need it, not every day
Balance occasionally
- Many cars recommend a full charge to 100% monthly or quarterly to calibrate the battery management system

Healthy batteries hold more usable energy for longer, which preserves both range and resale value—another form of savings.

EV charging etiquette that saves everyone time

Park only while charging and move promptly on completion
Share tips in apps if you find a broken connector or blocked stall
Coil cables neatly after use to prevent damage
Leave room for others to manoeuvre, especially at busy highway sites

Good etiquette reduces queues, which reduces idle time—and idle fees.

Emerging ways to save even more

Load the vehicle at home or away

A lot of electric vehicles (EVs) now have V2L outlets that can power tools, appliances, or a campsite. It doesn’t charge your phone, but it does give you more options for how to use your energy. You can use your traction battery to power a fridge during an outage, run a pressure washer, or make coffee at the trailhead.

Vehicle-to-grid pilots

With V2G, an EV can send power back to the home or grid through a bi-directional charger. In the future, this could get credits by lowering peak demand or helping the grid. There are already some pilots, but the hardware is still expensive and hard to find. If you like getting the most out of your battery, keep an eye on this space.

Batteries for homes and stacking tariffs

A home battery can store solar energy from the middle of the day to charge the car later. This can be helpful if you usually get home after dark. The pure financials depend on the costs of hardware and tariffs, but adding a battery to time-of-use arbitrage can lower household bills even more.

Putting it all together for the cheapest charge

Use solar when you can
Charge in the middle of the day to soak up sunlight that would earn a low feed-in tariff.
Schedule off-peak overnight
If daytime solar is not an option, target the cheapest grid window.
Install a smart wallbox
Let it automate solar tracking, off-peak timing and load management.
Keep public fast charging for trips
Use it sparingly and stop between 15% and 80% for the best time-to-money ratio.
Mind the details
Correct tyre pressure, moderate speeds and preconditioning all reduce energy cost per kilometre.

Follow that recipe and you will spend cents per kilometre, not dollars.

Conclusion

There is no question that EVs cost less to run than gas. To get the most out of that benefit, use home solar and off-peak power, set up a smart wallbox to automate things, and think of fast charging as your road-trip friend instead of your daily routine. Most of the time, drivers can avoid costly options with a little planning and enjoy smooth, low-cost, low-emission kilometers all year long.

1.What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car in Australia?

Charging at home with extra solar power from the roof is by far the cheapest way. When your panels are exporting energy for a low feed-in tariff, sending that energy to your car can lower the cost to $0.00–$0.10 per kWh. If you add a smart wallbox that tracks solar output, you’ll be able to drive on sunshine most days.

2.How much does it cost to drive 100 kilometers in an electric vehicle compared to a gas vehicle?

At off-peak times, it costs $0.20 per kilowatt-hour and 18 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers. It can be almost free on solar. A similar gas-powered car that gets 7.5L/100km and costs $2.00/L costs about $15 per 100km. The gap is always in favor of the EV, but your numbers may change depending on the weather.

3.Is it bad to charge your phone quickly often?

It’s okay to fast charge every now and then; it’s made for road trips. Using high-power DC every day can make things hotter and wear out batteries faster. Level 1 or Level 2 at home is gentler and much cheaper for everyday use. Save the big chargers for when you have to go somewhere quickly or have long legs.

4.Is it safe to charge in the rain and use a regular power point?

Yes, charging hardware for electric vehicles is made to work in all kinds of weather. Use the portable charger that came with the device and a dedicated outlet that meets the manufacturer’s standards. Don’t use long extension cords. A hard-wired wallbox is safer, faster, and easier to automate for regular use.

5.What if I live in an apartment that doesn’t have a charger?

Find chargers for your workplace and destination nearby, and plan a weekly DC top-up when you need one. Talk to your body corporate about shared chargers that charge users based on how much they use them and share the load. As more people buy electric vehicles, many buildings are upgrading their infrastructure.

Read more about how to install EV charging stations in 2025.

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