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evchargecost.com.au
Prices last reviewed 11 October 2026

What will your EV likely cost to charge?

Pick your car and state, tell us where you charge, and get an estimated cost per 100 km, per week and per year, plus the estimated cost saved versus petrol.

EV charging cost calculator

Your driving

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15.9 kWh/100 km official lab figure · source

km

≈ 13,000 km a year

Where you charge (share of kWh, and your rate)
80%
10%
0%
0%
10%

Rates in c/kWh incl. GST, prefilled for Victoria: off-peak = OVO The EV Plan (midnight–6am); standard = average single-rate usage, mean of 5 Victorian distributors (Canstar). Solar is valued at the feed-in you give up. Public AC (40c) is a placeholder. Tap any rate to change it.

Petrol car you’re comparing with

VIC average $2.35/L (Melbourne ULP weekly average, Australian Institute of Petroleum)

Small car ≈ 6 · mid-size SUV ≈ 8 · large 4WD/ute ≈ 11+

%
Estimated cost per 100 km
$2.12
Petrol: est. $17.63
Estimated weekly cost
$5.30
Est. $23 a month
Estimated yearly cost
$275
2,067 kWh a year
Estimated cost saved vs petrol
$2,016
a year (est. 88% less)

Estimates only, based on the assumptions shown. Your actual cost will differ.

Estimated 5-year cost saved

Estimated cost saved over 5 years: $10,079, at today’s assumed prices, fuel only (not servicing, rego or insurance).

Charge smarter

Estimated yearly cost if 100% charged at home off-peak: $93 (estimated cost saved $182 a year).

Estimated break-even rate

Petrol would only be cheaper if your average charging rate went above an estimated 111c/kWh.

Estimated cost breakdown

Estimated yearly charging cost by source · average 13.3c/kWh

Estimated cost: EV vs petrol

Estimated yearly cost · petrol car 7.5 L/100 km at $2.35/L

Estimated yearly cost if your off-peak rate changes

Home off-peak rate from 0 to 50c/kWh, everything else unchanged

Assumptions and disclaimer

  • Vehicle energy use: Tesla Model Y (2025), 15.9 kWh/100 km (Green Vehicle Guide (Australian Government), official lab test). Lab figures are measured at the wall, so charging losses are included.
  • Electricity: home off-peak 4.5c, standard 27.24c, solar 3c, public AC 40c, public DC 70c per kWh.
  • Petrol: 7.5 L/100 km at $2.35/L (Melbourne ULP weekly average, Australian Institute of Petroleum).

All figures are estimates, not quotes or actual costs. They exclude supply charges, membership or idle fees, and discounts. Your actual cost will depend on your electricity plan, when and where you charge, your driving, the weather and your vehicle. Prices change, so check them with your retailer or charging network before you decide. This is general information only, not financial advice. Prices last reviewed: 11 October 2026. Methodology & sources · Disclaimer

Is your overnight rate costing you?

Plans with a cheap EV or off-peak window can cut your estimated charging cost a lot. Compare plans for your address.

Compare plans on Energy Made Easy →

Independent government or retailer tool. We don’t earn a commission from this link. In Victoria, use Victorian Energy Compare instead. How we make money →

Estimated charging cost by car

26 variants, official Australian figures, with a page for each state.

All cars →

Tesla

BYD

MG

Hyundai

Kia

Volvo

Polestar

Electricity and petrol prices by state

How we estimate

  1. Energy: km per year × your car’s official kWh/100 km (Green Vehicle Guide or manufacturer lab figures, measured at the wall).
  2. Price: each kWh is priced by where you charge it, using dated state tariffs and reported public charging prices, or your own rates.
  3. Petrol: your comparison car’s L/100 km × the latest weekly capital-city average from the Australian Institute of Petroleum.
  4. Not included: supply charges, memberships, idle fees and discounts.
Full methodology and sources →

FAQ

How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Australia?

It depends on your car and electricity rate. As an example, a Tesla Model Y (15.9 kWh/100 km lab figure) has an estimated cost of $4.33 per 100 km at Victoria's average single rate of 27.24c/kWh, and an estimated cost of $0.72 per 100 km on a 4.5c/kWh overnight EV rate. Use the calculator for an estimate with your own rate.

Is charging an EV cheaper than petrol?

For most drivers who charge mainly at home, the estimated cost is well below petrol. Relying heavily on public DC fast charging narrows the gap, and at the most expensive sites the estimated cost can approach petrol.

Why does charging off-peak matter so much?

Many retailers offer time-of-use or EV plans with much cheaper overnight or midday windows. Shifting charging into those windows is usually the biggest single lever on your estimated charging cost.

Are these figures exact?

No. Every figure is an estimate based on official lab efficiency data and published or reported prices (last reviewed 11 October 2026). Your actual cost will depend on your plan, driving, weather and car.