Electric Vehicles (EVs) are better for the environment and cheaper to run than their petrol counterparts. Just how much cheaper, depends on how much it costs to charge an electric car and the price paid for a petrol alternative.
The cost to charge an electric car depends on:
- The size of the car’s battery
- The cost of electricity
- How and where it is charged
EV batteries typically range from 40 kWh to 100 kWh. The average electric car battery is 70.9 kWh 1. If we assume an electricity rate of 30c per kWh, the cost to charge the average electric car at home is $21.27.
At the time of writing in July 2025, this makes the cost to power an electric vehicle in Australia around 55-65% cheaper than a comparable internal combustion (ICE) petrol vehicle.
However, calculating the cost of charging an electric car is not quite that simple.
In Australia, there are three ways to charge an electric car:
- 1. At home using a home charger
- 2. Using a public charging station
- 3. Using a fast charging station
This article explains the cost of charging an electric car according to location and charging method.
Sources:
1 EV Database average car battery size
Cost to charge an electric car at home
Charging at home is the most popular and cheapest way to charge your electric car.
For the average size car with a battery of 70.9 kWh, the cost to charge the car with a home charger, in Australia, is $21.27.
| Vehicle | Battery size | $$ At home ($0.30 / kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Average electric car | 70.9 kWh | $21.27 |
The cost to charge a Tesla Model Y Rear Wheel Drive with a 57.5 kWh battery at home is $17.25 assuming an electricity cost of 30c / kWh. For the MG 4 Excite 51 with a 51 kWh battery, the cost is slightly lower at $15.30. Charging the BYD Atto 3 Energy Awaken, which has a 50 kWh battery, costs $15.00 at the same rate.
| Vehicle | Variant | Battery size | $$ At home ($0.30 / kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | RWD | 57.5 kWh | $17.25 |
| Tesla Model 3 | RWD | 57.5 kWh | $17.25 |
| MG 4 | Excite 51 | 51 kWh | $15.30 |
| BYD Seal | Dynamic | 61 kWh | $18.30 |
| BYD Atto 3 | Energy Awaken | 50 kWh | $15.00 |
These at-home EV charging costs are calculated using an average 30c / kWh electricity rate. The average cost of electricity varies by state, then by household – account holders choose a retailer that provides them with their own rate.
If you are able to charge your electric car with solar power, the cost to charge the vehicle reduces significantly. Our analysis concludes that an additional 1.5kW of solar panels can charge your electric car effectively.
Cost to charge using a public charging station
Charging your electric car at a public charging station in Australia is typically more expensive than charging at home. However, public charging stations provide faster speeds, especially with DC fast chargers. For example, it takes twice as long to charge a Tesla at home than at a public station.
The table below shows cost to charge popular electric car models at a public station.
| Vehicle | Variant | Battery size | $$ Public charger ($0.45 / kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | RWD | 57.5 kWh | $25.88 |
| Tesla Model 3 | RWD | 57.5 kWh | $25.88 |
| MG 4 | Excite 51 | 51 kWh | $22.95 |
| BYD Seal | Dynamic | 61 kWh | $27.45 |
| BYD Atto 3 | Energy Awaken | 50 kWh | $22.50 |
At an average rate of 45c/kWh, charging the MG 4 Excite 51 with its 51 kWh battery costs $22.95. The BYD Atto 3 Energy Awaken, with a 50 kWh battery, costs $22.50 to fully charge. The BYD Seal Dynamic, which features a larger 61 kWh battery, comes in at $27.45.
These figures are based on average public charger rates in 2025. Costs may be higher when using high-speed DC chargers, which are becoming increasingly common across Australia’s growing charging network.
Cost to charge using a fast charger
Using a fast charger is the quickest way to recharge your EV, but it also the most expensive method.
| Vehicle | Variant | Battery size | $$ Fast charger ($0.65 / kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | RWD | 57.5 kWh | $37.38 |
| Tesla Model 3 | RWD | 57.5 kWh | $37.38 |
| MG 4 | Excite 51 | 51 kWh | $33.15 |
| BYD Seal | Dynamic | 61 kWh | $39.65 |
| BYD Atto 3 | Energy Awaken | 50 kWh | $32.50 |
At an average fast charging rate of 65c/kWh, it costs $33.15 to fully charge the MG 4 Excite 51 with its 51 kWh battery. The BYD Atto 3 Energy Awaken, with a 50 kWh battery, comes in at $32.50. For drivers of the BYD Seal Dynamic, which has a larger 61 kWh battery, a full charge costs $39.65.
While fast chargers offer speed and convenience (especially on long trips), regular use add up and impacts potential savings. Charging at home or using slower public chargers remains the most cost-effective option for everyday driving.
Cost to charge an EV vs. a petrol vehicle
To compare costs between an electric car and a petrol car, we’ve selected the highest-selling models in each vehicle segment.
For the comparison, we assume the following:
- An average fuel price of 1.90 / L
- An average at-home electricity cost of $0.30 / kWh
The table below shows the cost to charge popular electric vehicles compared to their petrol counterparts over a 100km range:
| Car size | Car type | Cost per 100km |
|---|---|---|
| Small – medium | EV | $4.98 |
| Small – medium | Petrol (ICE) | $11.40 |
| Crossover | EV | $4.71 |
| Crossover | Petrol (ICE) | $13.68 |
The figures show that it is significantly cheaper to charge an electric car as opposed to refuelling a petrol vehicle. Charging at home using solar power will further lower the cost of running an electric car.
Notes and data
More details on the models and consumption levels of each car used in this comparison can be found in the table below.
Electric vehicles:
| Type | Make & Model | Starting price | Battery size | Consumption / 100km | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-Medium EV | BYD Seal Dynamic | $40,700 | 61.44kWh | 16.6 kWh | $4.98 |
| Crossover EV | Tesla Model Y RWD | $64,000 | 60 kWh | 15.7 kWh | $4.71 |
Petrol cars:
| Type | Make & Model | Starting price | Engine | Fuel consumption / 100km | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-Medium ICE | Toyota Corolla ZR | $36,000 | 2.0L | 6.0L | $11.40 |
| Crossover ICE | Kia Sportage SX AWD | $44,050 | 1.6L | 7.2L | $13.68 |
Estimated real-world range figures: Calculated at a conservative 80% of quoted WLTP figures based on WLTP to real-world data. Various factors, including weather conditions, driving style, and terrain, all play a significant role in determining actual range.
Comparison notes
When comparing figures, it’s important to consider the type of driving involved. As a general rule, ICE vehicles are significantly more efficient at highway cruising speeds compared to inner city driving. Conversely, electric vehicles thrive in urban environments where regenerative braking can be used to recapture energy.
It’s also important to weigh up the purchase cost of the vehicle.
Factors that determine the cost to charge an EV
Where you charge: As shown above, the location where you charge plays a significant role in the cost to charge an EV. Using a home charger, or even better, utilising your own solar power, can significantly reduce the cost of charging an electric car, particularly when compared to DC fast chargers.
Electricity rates: Electricity costs and time-of-use tariffs influence the cost of charging. The average cost of electricity in Sydney is higher than in Melbourne – so it will cost Sydney drivers more to charge their EV from the grid.
Driving habits: Whether your car is an EV or fuelled by petrol, how you drive plays a key role in determining efficiency. Sensible acceleration and braking behaviour will improve driving efficiency and lower your running costs.
Where you drive: The driving you do – inner city vs. highway plays a key role in determining how efficiently your vehicle will perform. EVs thrive in urban environments where they can make the most of regenerative braking.