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
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Estimates only, based on the assumptions shown. Your actual cost will differ.
Estimated cost saved over 5 years: $10,079, at today’s assumed prices, fuel only (not servicing, rego or insurance).
Estimated yearly cost if 100% charged at home off-peak: $93 (estimated cost saved $182 a year).
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 YS5MDB, 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
Plans with a cheap EV or off-peak window can cut your estimated charging cost a lot. Compare plans for your address.
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.
Tesla
- Model 3 RWD (H6MRB)13.8 kWh/100 km · est. $0.62–$3.76 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Model 3 Long Range RWD, 18" wheels (H5MRB)12.5 kWh/100 km · est. $0.56–$3.41 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Model 3 Long Range AWD (H5LDP)16.7 kWh/100 km · est. $0.75–$4.55 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Model 3 Performance (H5MDP)16.5 kWh/100 km · est. $0.74–$4.49 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Model Y YS5MDB15.9 kWh/100 km · est. $0.72–$4.33 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Model Y AWD (YS5LDB)15.8 kWh/100 km · est. $0.71–$4.30 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Model Y Performance (YS5MDP)16.2 kWh/100 km · est. $0.73–$4.41 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Model Y L AWD Long Range, 6-seat (YL5NDB)14.6 kWh/100 km · est. $0.66–$3.98 per 100 km at home in VIC
BYD
- Atto 3 Standard Range14.8 kWh/100 km · est. $0.67–$4.03 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Atto 3 Extended Range14.9 kWh/100 km · est. $0.67–$4.06 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Dolphin Dynamic12.6 kWh/100 km · est. $0.57–$3.43 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Dolphin Premium14.2 kWh/100 km · est. $0.64–$3.87 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Seal Dynamic13.8 kWh/100 km · est. $0.62–$3.76 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Seal Premium14.6 kWh/100 km · est. $0.66–$3.98 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Sealion 7 Premium RWD17 kWh/100 km · est. $0.77–$4.63 per 100 km at home in VIC
- Sealion 7 Performance AWD17.9 kWh/100 km · est. $0.81–$4.88 per 100 km at home in VIC
MG
Kia
- EV6 Air RWD16.5 kWh/100 km · est. $0.74–$4.49 per 100 km at home in VIC
- EV5 Air Long Range 2WD18 kWh/100 km · est. $0.81–$4.90 per 100 km at home in VIC
- EV5 Air Standard Range 2WD18.2 kWh/100 km · est. $0.82–$4.96 per 100 km at home in VIC
- EV5 GT-Line Long Range AWD21 kWh/100 km · est. $0.95–$5.72 per 100 km at home in VIC
Electricity and petrol prices by state
- VictoriaOff-peak 4.5c · standard 27.24c · petrol $2.35/L
- New South WalesOff-peak 4.5c · standard 33.13c · petrol $2.37/L
- QueenslandOff-peak 4.5c · standard 27.9c · petrol $2.37/L
- South AustraliaOff-peak 4.5c · standard 41.5c · petrol $2.33/L
- Western AustraliaOff-peak 8.852c · standard 33.2621c · petrol $2.33/L
- TasmaniaOff-peak 17.02c · standard 28.8c · petrol $2.44/L
- Australian Capital TerritoryOff-peak 17.6c · standard 32.1c · petrol $2.45/L
- Northern TerritoryOff-peak 25.8294c · standard 31.6788c · petrol $2.45/L
How we estimate
- Energy: km per year × your car’s official kWh/100 km (Green Vehicle Guide or manufacturer lab figures, measured at the wall).
- Price: each kWh is priced by where you charge it, using dated state tariffs and reported public charging prices, or your own rates.
- Petrol: your comparison car’s L/100 km × the latest weekly capital-city average from the Australian Institute of Petroleum.
- Not included: supply charges, memberships, idle fees and discounts.
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.