Electric vehicles are usually far cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars. One of the most common questions people ask is how much it actually costs to charge an EV in Australia.
The answer depends on battery size, electricity price, and how much of the battery you charge. For many Australian EV owners, home charging is one of the biggest long term savings compared with traditional fuel.
Average electricity price in Australia
Electricity prices vary between states, plans and providers, but many households use example values around $0.25 to $0.35 per kilowatt hour for home charging estimates.
$0.30 per kWh
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Australia?
If an electric vehicle has a 60 kWh battery and electricity costs $0.30 per kWh, charging from empty to full would cost:
60 kWh × $0.30 = $18.00
Most owners do not charge from 0% to 100% every time. A more common top up is from 20% to 80%.
Energy added = 60 × 60% = 36 kWh
36 × $0.30 = $10.80
EV cost per kilometre in Australia
Another useful way to compare running cost is cost per kilometre. Many EVs use around 14 to 20 kWh per 100 km depending on vehicle size and driving conditions.
Example:
16 kWh per 100 km × $0.30 = $4.80 per 100 km
That equals 4.8 cents per kilometre.
For comparison, many petrol cars cost noticeably more per kilometre depending on fuel price and consumption.
Typical EV values to use if you are unsure
| Item | Typical guide |
|---|---|
| Home electricity | $0.25 to $0.35 per kWh |
| Off peak home electricity | $0.15 to $0.25 per kWh |
| Average EV efficiency | 16 to 18 kWh per 100 km |
| Large EV or SUV efficiency | 20 to 24 kWh per 100 km |
| Zeekr 7X Australia battery range | 75 to 100 kWh |
| Zeekr 7X Performance AWD efficiency | 19.9 kWh per 100 km WLTP |
These values are examples and starting points only. Actual charging cost, charging time and running cost depend on your electricity plan, vehicle variant, charging setup and driving conditions.
Home charging vs public charging
Home charging is usually the cheapest option for EV owners in Australia. Public fast chargers are convenient for road trips and top ups, but the price per kWh can be much higher than home electricity.
In simple terms, home charging is where most people get the best savings from EV ownership.
Use the calculators
You can use our free calculators below to estimate your own battery charging cost, charging time, and cost per kilometre.
EV Charging Cost Calculator EV Charging Time Calculator EV Cost Per KM Calculator EV vs Petrol Cost Per KMWhy EV running cost is usually lower
Electric motors are much more efficient than internal combustion engines. Petrol and diesel engines waste a lot of energy as heat, while EVs convert more of that energy into actual movement. That efficiency is a big part of why EV running costs are often lower.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your battery size and electricity tariff. A typical home charging session can cost much less than a petrol refill.
In many cases yes, especially when charging at home.
Cost per kilometre is one of the simplest and most useful comparisons.