The cost to home EV charging in WA is typically around $5–$7 per 100 km, or about $0.25–$0.45 per kWh on most residential chargers. Using off peak or dedicated EV tariffs, especially if you charge from your rooftop solar, pushes that cost down further, sometimes close to zero for the energy portion.
As local electricians and EV charging specialists based in WA, we design and install home charging systems, designed to be reliable and future-ready. That means matching the charger to your home supply, advising on the right tariff, and integrating solar and smart charging where it makes sense. We don’t just fit a unit on the wall, we plan a setup that keeps your EV charging cost low for years.
Key Points To Consider
- Typical home cost: $0.25–$0.45 per kWh → about $5–$7 per 100 km.
- Best savings: Off peak or EV tariffs and solar can reduce cost significantly.
- Public charging: Often 2–3× more expensive than home charging.
- Main cost drivers: Battery size, vehicle efficiency, tariff, when you charge, and solar.
- What we do differently: We design systems that match your home, tariff and solar so your running costs stay low.
Average Cost to Charge an EV at Home
How the Cost is Calculated
Use this simple formula:
Battery size (kWh) × electricity rate (A$/kWh) = cost to fully charge (A$)
That gives a clear, repeatable way to estimate your cost to charge an EV for any vehicle at any electricity price.
Worked Examples (Digit by Digit Arithmetic)
Below are conservative examples using two common battery sizes so you can see how the math works.
Example 1: Small battery (40 kWh) at $0.30/kWh
40 × 0.30 = $12.00 (Full Charge Cost)
Example 2: Large battery (75 kWh) at $0.35/kWh
75 × 0.35 = $26.25 (Full Charge Cost)
What These Examples Show
- The electricity rate you pay matters as much as battery size. A change in price per kwh of $0.30 to $0.20 brings the cost down by one third.
- The vehicle’s efficiency (km per kWh) changes the per 100 km cost significantly; efficient cars make each kWh go further.
- These examples demonstrate the common range: about $4.50–$6.50 per 100 km for typical home charging scenarios, which aligns with our quick summary band of $5–$7 per 100 km when you use real world rounding and account for charging losses.
Comparing Home Charging and Public Charging
According to an article from the Department of Energy of Australia, home charging is usually the cheapest option. Public AC and DC fast chargers often carry higher per kWh prices and additional fees. For daily driving, home charging is where most owners save money.
How Off-Peak Charging in WA Saves Money
Why Timing Your Charge Matters
When it comes to the cost to charge an EV, when you plug in can be just as important as how. Electricity prices in WA change, also depending on the time of day. Charging overnight, when demand is low, can significantly cut your EV charging cost, especially if you’re on a time of use tariff or a dedicated EV plan.
Most WA households on Synergy’s standard tariff pay around $0.25–$0.45 per kWh throughout the day. But if you switch to Synergy’s EV Add On plan, the difference is dramatic:
- Super Off Peak: ~8.61 c/kWh (usually between 9 am–3 pm or 11 pm–4 am depending on the setup)
- Overnight: ~19.38 c/kWh
- Standard rate: ~30–40 c/kWh
Scheduling Your Charge
You don’t need to set an alarm for 11 pm. Modern EVs and smart chargers, including the Ocular IQ units we install, let you schedule charging automatically. You simply set your off peak window in the app, and the charger does the rest.
This kind of setup can save you hundreds of dollars a year for transportation. It also helps the grid since you’re charging when power demand is lowest.
EV Charging with Solar Power
Turning Sunlight Into Free Kilometres
If you’ve already invested in solar, you’ve got a massive advantage. Using surplus solar power to charge your EV can make your cost to charge an EV close to zero.
Every kilowatt hour that comes from your panels is one less you’re buying from the grid. A typical 6.6 kW solar system in Perth produces 25–30 kWh a day on average, easily enough to drive 120 –180 km daily if directed into your EV.
Making the Most of Your Solar
Here’s how to get the most out of your system:
- Charge during the middle of the day. That’s when solar output peaks.
- Use smart solar integration. Some wallboxes can integrate with your inverter, automatically diverting solar power to your car once household needs are met.
- Pair with load management. This keeps your home power balanced even with air con or pool pumps running.
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EV Charging Cost in Australia vs Petrol
The National Picture
Across Australia, the average EV charging cost sits around $0.25–$0.45 per kWh at home. Public chargers push that higher, but still, EVs remain far cheaper to run than petrol cars.
When you look at EV charging cost in Australia vs petrol, the gap is considerable:
- Petrol cars average around $12–$15 per 100 km, depending on efficiency and fuel price.
- Home charged EVs sit closer to $5–$7 per 100 km, or less with solar or off peak charging.
- Up to 60% cheaper, and the savings will only grow as fuel prices rise.
WA Specific Context
WA’s power mix and tariff structure make it particularly EV friendly. Off-peak and solar integration opportunities mean many local drivers are charging their EVs for as little as $1–$2 per 100 km when combined with solar feed in credits.
That’s where smart installation pays off. We design systems that make the most of local tariffs and solar availability, so you’re not just running your car cheaper, you’re maximising the value of your energy system as a whole.
Comparing Home and Public Charging
What You Pay For: Convenience
Public charging plays a big role in keeping EVs flexible, but it comes at a higher cost. Here’s a general comparison:
|
Charging Type |
Cost per kWh |
Typical Cost per 100 km |
Notes |
|
Home (grid) |
$0.25–$0.45 |
~$5–$7 |
Cheapest |
|
Home (solar) |
$0–$0.10 |
~$0–$2 |
Uses surplus solar |
|
Public AC |
$0.40–$0.60 |
~$8–$10 |
Slower, more convenient |
|
Public DC Fast |
$0.60–$0.70+ |
~$12+ |
For long trips only |
Public charging’s value is convenience, not price. Home is where you get consistent savings, predictable energy costs, and full control over when and how you charge.
What Affects Your Home EV Charging Cost
The Five Key Factors That Shape What You Pay
The cost to charge an EV at home isn’t a fixed number. It shifts depending on a few practical things, most of which you can control. Here’s what makes the biggest difference:
- Battery size: A larger battery means more kilowatt hours to fill. A small 40 kWh hatchback might cost $12 to fully charge, while a 75 kWh SUV could cost around $26 under the same electricity rate. Bigger cars mean bigger energy bills, simple as that.
- Vehicle efficiency: Every EV uses power differently. Some manage 7 km per kWh, others only 5 km. That’s like fuel efficiency for electric cars, the better your car’s efficiency, the more distance you get for every dollar spent on power.
- Electricity plan and time of use: Charging overnight or during off-peak hours can easily halve your EV charging cost. WA drivers on Synergy’s EV Add On plan often pay around 8–19 c/kWh in those windows, compared to 30+ c during peak hours.
- Solar integration: This is the game changer. Charging from your own solar supply can bring your running cost to almost zero. When your panels are covering the load, every kilometre you drive costs you next to nothing.
- Charger setup and load management: A dedicated wallbox charger doesn’t just speed up charging, it keeps your home electrical system balanced. Smart chargers can limit current during peak household demand, avoiding tripped circuits or power overloads. That keeps your charging system safe, efficient, and future ready.
How to Set Up Your Home for Low-Cost EV Charging
Why the Right Setup Matters
- Use a dedicated wallbox charger as it charges faster, communicates with your vehicle, and manages load better than a standard power point. It’s also compliant with Australian Standards for continuous use.
- Plan for solar and load management integration. A smart charger can draw directly from your solar surplus and adjust to your home’s power load in real time. That means no overloads and no wasted solar energy.
- Check your switchboard capacity. We always review your switchboard before installation. Many older homes need minor upgrades to safely support a 7 kW or 22 kW charger. Doing this properly means fewer headaches later.
How can Charging WA help?
Charging an EV at home in WA is cheaper, simpler, and smarter. On average, the cost to charge an EV at home sits around $5–$7 per 100 km, or even less when you use off peak or solar power. Compare that to the price of petrol, and it’s easy to see why more WA drivers are switching to electric.
At ChargingWA, we help you plan for the future, whether that means accommodating more EVs, faster chargers, or smarter load management. If you want a home charging setup that’s efficient, safe, and ready for the future, talk to our team about setting up an EV Charger at home. We’ll make sure it’s done right the first time.
