How much does it cost to charge an electric car

The short answer

Yes—electric cars are usually cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars. But the real savings depend on where, when, and how you charge.

• Home charging = cheapest (especially on an EV tariff).

• Public charging = convenient, but can be as expensive—or more—than petrol.

• Tesla Superchargers & rapid networks = fast, but premium priced.

Charging at Home

• Best value for most drivers.

• Wallbox charger cost: $700~1500 one-off (7kW typical, 11kW with three-phase supply).

• Standard tariff (July 2026 cap: $0.2850/kWh):

o 50kWh EV → $14.25

o 80kWh EV → $22.80

o 100kWh EV → $28.50

• Cost per km (efficiency matters!):

o Efficient EV (12kWh/100km) → ~$3.42 per 100km

o Less efficient EV (18kWh/100km) → ~$5.13 per 100km

• EV-specific tariffs (e.g., Origin EV subscription plan): as low as $0.08/kWh → less than $5 for a full charge

Charging via a 3-pin plug: slow (43.5 hours for 100kWh) and not recommended long-term for safety.

Public Charging Costs

• Chargefox: ~$0.45-0.60/kWh → 100kWh = $45-$60

• Evie: ~$0.58-$0.73/kWh → 100kWh = $58-$73

• Exploren: ~$0.55-$0.75/kWh → 100kWh = $55-$75

• Tesla: $0.43–$0.69/kWh → 100kWh = $43-$69 (cheaper for subscribers).

• Some supermarkets/gyms still offer free 7kW chargers, but these are becoming rarer.

Motorway & Tesla Superchargers

• Motorway stations: more rapid chargers, but often pricier.

• Tesla Superchargers:

o Speed: 150–250kW (0–80% in ~20–40 mins).

o Cost: varies by site and time of day.

o Idle fees apply if you stay plugged in after charging.

o Non-Tesla EVs: limited access at selected sites.

Quick Cost Comparison

Charging Location Typical Price (per kWh) Full Charge (100kWh EV) Cost per km Speed

Home – Standard Tariff $0.285    $$28.50 Overnight (7–11kW)

Home – EV Tariff (off-peak) $0.08    $8.00    Overnight (7–11kW)

Public – Chargefox     $0.60    $60.00     30–60 mins (150kW)

Public – Evie $0.70    $70.00     30–60 mins (150kW)

Tesla Supercharger $0.43–$0.69 $43–$69 20–40 mins (150–250kW)

Key Takeaways

• Home charging is 3× cheaper per mile than petrol.

• Off-peak EV tariffs save you up to 70% on charging.

• Public fast chargers = convenient but expensive.

• Efficiency (kWh per 100km) is as important as battery size.

Yeecar Legal Disclaimer

All costs are estimates based on Australian energy price caps and public charging rates as of July 2026. Actual costs vary depending on your tariff, location, EV model, and efficiency. Always check with your energy provider or charging network for up-to-date prices.