If you have recently purchased an electric vehicle, or are considering one, the question of where to charge it comes down to three options: at home, at a public AC charger, or at a public DC fast charger. Each has a different cost per kilometre, a different level of convenience, and a different role in your weekly routine.
This guide compares the real costs of each option for Melbourne drivers in 2026, including the upfront cost of installing a home charger, the running cost per 100 kilometres, and how solar panels change the equation.
The Cost Comparison at a Glance
The following table compares the cost of charging an EV with a 60kWh battery (typical of a Tesla Model 3, BYD Atto 3, or Hyundai Ioniq 5) across all three charging methods in Melbourne:
| Charging Method | Cost per kWh | Cost per 100km | Full Charge (60kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home (off-peak grid) | $0.18 to $0.25 | $3.00 to $4.50 | $10.80 to $15.00 |
| Home (peak grid) | $0.30 to $0.45 | $5.00 to $7.50 | $18.00 to $27.00 |
| Home (surplus solar) | $0.00 to $0.08 | $0.00 to $1.50 | $0.00 to $4.80 |
| Public AC (destination charger) | $0.30 to $0.50 | $5.00 to $8.50 | $18.00 to $30.00 |
| Public DC fast charger | $0.50 to $0.80 | $9.00 to $13.00 | $30.00 to $48.00 |
| Petrol equivalent (comparison) | N/A | $12.00 to $18.00 | $70 to $110 (full tank) |
The numbers are clear: home charging on off-peak electricity costs roughly one-third of public DC fast charging, and one-quarter of running an equivalent petrol car. With solar, the cost approaches zero.
Home Charging: The Details
How Home Charging Works
Home EV charging uses a wall-mounted charger (often called a wall box or EVSE) installed in your garage, carport, or on an exterior wall. The charger connects to a dedicated circuit from your switchboard and plugs into your EV via a Type 2 connector (the Australian and European standard).
Most home chargers in Melbourne are single-phase 7kW units, which add approximately 40 to 50 kilometres of range per hour of charging. For most drivers who cover 30 to 60 kilometres per day, an overnight charge of 2 to 3 hours is more than enough to start every morning with a full battery.
Installation Cost
The upfront cost of installing a home EV charger in Melbourne in 2026 is:
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Charger unit (7kW single-phase, smart) | $800 to $1,900 |
| Installation (dedicated circuit, RCD, cable run) | $400 to $1,200 |
| Total installed cost (single-phase 7kW) | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Three-phase 22kW installation | $2,500 to $4,500 |
The installation cost depends primarily on the distance between your switchboard and the charging location (longer cable runs cost more), whether your switchboard has a spare circuit breaker position (if not, a switchboard upgrade may be needed), and whether you have single-phase or three-phase power.
Choosing Off-Peak Electricity
The single biggest factor in home charging cost is your electricity tariff. Melbourne has several tariff structures available, and a time-of-use (TOU) plan with cheap off-peak rates is ideal for EV charging.
On a typical TOU plan in Victoria, off-peak rates (usually 10pm to 7am) are $0.18 to $0.25 per kWh. Peak rates (typically 3pm to 9pm) are $0.35 to $0.50 per kWh. Every smart EV charger and most EVs themselves allow you to schedule charging to start at a specific time. Set it to begin at 10pm or 11pm, and the car charges entirely on off-peak electricity while you sleep.
Solar Charging
If your home has solar panels, charging your EV from surplus solar energy is essentially free. The “cost” is the feed-in tariff you forgo by using the energy rather than exporting it to the grid, which in Victoria is currently $0.04 to $0.08 per kWh. Compare that to the $0.50 to $0.80 you would pay at a public DC charger, and the value of using your own solar energy becomes obvious.
Solar-compatible chargers like the Zappi and Fronius Wattpilot can be configured to charge only when surplus solar is available, maximising your use of free energy. On a sunny Melbourne day between October and March, a 6.6kW solar system can produce enough surplus energy to add 150 to 200 kilometres of range to your EV, enough for most people’s weekly driving needs.
Public Charging: The Details
Public AC (Destination Chargers)
Public AC chargers are the slower type, typically 7kW to 22kW, found at shopping centres, hotels, workplaces, and council car parks. In Melbourne, these are increasingly common at locations like Chadstone, Highpoint, and various council-operated car parks in the CBD and inner suburbs.
AC charging rates vary widely. Some are free (offered by shopping centres as an incentive), some charge $0.30 to $0.50 per kWh, and some charge a flat rate per session. A 2-hour shopping trip on a 22kW charger adds roughly 80 to 100 kilometres of range, which is useful for topping up rather than a full charge.
Public DC Fast Chargers
DC fast chargers are the rapid-charge option, delivering 50kW to 350kW. A 50kW charger can add 200 kilometres of range in about 40 minutes. A 350kW ultra-fast charger can do the same in under 15 minutes (if your car supports it).
In 2026, DC fast charging in Melbourne is available through networks including Chargefox, Evie, Tesla Supercharger (now open to non-Tesla vehicles), AmpCharge, and Jolt. Pricing across these networks ranges from $0.50 to $0.80 per kWh, with some networks adding idle fees if you leave your car plugged in after charging is complete.
At the mid-range rate of $0.65 per kWh, charging a 60kWh battery from 20 percent to 80 percent (the typical fast-charging window) costs approximately $23 to $25 per session. That same charge at home on off-peak power costs $7 to $9.
Annual Cost Comparison
For a Melbourne driver covering 15,000 kilometres per year (the Australian average), here is how the annual charging cost compares:
| Charging Method | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Home off-peak only | $450 to $675 |
| Home solar (80%) + off-peak (20%) | $120 to $250 |
| Public DC fast charging only | $1,350 to $1,950 |
| Mixed (80% home, 20% public DC) | $630 to $930 |
| Petrol equivalent (8L/100km at $2.00/L) | $2,400 |
Payback Period for a Home Charger
If you install a home charger at a total cost of $1,800 (mid-range) and switch from relying entirely on public DC charging to 80 percent home charging, your annual saving is approximately $700 to $1,000. That puts the payback period at approximately 1.5 to 2.5 years. After that, the savings are pure profit.
If you have solar panels and can charge primarily from surplus solar, the payback period drops to under 12 months because you are replacing $0.60/kWh public charging with near-zero-cost solar energy.
When Public Charging Makes Sense
Home charging is cheaper in virtually every scenario, but public charging has its place. Road trips and long-distance travel are the obvious use case, where DC fast chargers along the highway are the only option. Apartment dwellers without access to a dedicated parking space with power are another group, though this is changing as more apartment buildings install shared charging infrastructure. Opportunistic top-ups while shopping, dining, or at work are convenient and sometimes free.
The optimal pattern for most Melbourne EV owners is to do 80 to 90 percent of your charging at home (preferably on off-peak or solar) and use public chargers only for long trips and occasional top-ups. This approach minimises cost while maintaining full flexibility.
Can You Charge at Home if You Live in an Apartment?
This is one of the most common questions we hear from Melbourne EV owners. The answer depends on your building and parking arrangement.
If you have a dedicated car space in a building with power access (even a standard power point nearby), a licensed electrician can install a wall-mounted charger on a dedicated circuit. This requires body corporate approval in most cases, which involves submitting a proposal, demonstrating that the installation meets electrical safety standards, and ensuring adequate power supply to the building.
If your building’s electrical supply cannot support additional EV chargers, a load management system can be installed that shares available capacity across multiple chargers, preventing overload. This is increasingly common in Melbourne apartment buildings and is the most practical solution for multi-resident charging.
If you rent and cannot install a charger, a portable charger that plugs into a standard 10A power point can deliver about 10 to 12 kilometres of range per hour. It is slow, but for daily commuters who only need 30 to 40 kilometres per day, an overnight charge on a standard outlet is often sufficient.
Ready to Install a Home EV Charger?
Carlin Co Electrical installs EV chargers across Melbourne, from single-phase wall boxes to three-phase commercial installations. We handle the full process: site assessment, charger selection, installation, and testing.
Call 0432 632 346 or book online.
Licensed electrical contractor (REC 33210) with 138+ five-star Google reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Melbourne?
On off-peak electricity ($0.18 to $0.25/kWh), home charging costs approximately $3 to $4.50 per 100 kilometres. A full charge of a 60kWh battery costs $10.80 to $15.00. If you charge from surplus solar panels, the cost is close to zero. Over 15,000km per year, home off-peak charging costs $450 to $675 annually.
How much does public EV charging cost in Melbourne?
Public DC fast charging in Melbourne costs $0.50 to $0.80 per kWh, which works out to $9 to $13 per 100 kilometres. Public AC destination chargers cost $0.30 to $0.50 per kWh, and some at shopping centres are free. A full DC fast charge of a 60kWh battery costs $30 to $48.
How much can I save by charging at home instead of public chargers?
Over 15,000km per year, switching from 100 percent public DC charging to 80 percent home off-peak charging saves approximately $700 to $1,000 per year. With solar panels, savings increase to $1,100 to $1,700 per year compared to public DC only.
How long does it take to charge an EV at home?
A 7kW home charger adds 40 to 50 kilometres of range per hour. A full charge of a 60kWh battery takes approximately 8 to 9 hours, easily completed overnight. Most daily driving (30 to 60km) requires only 1 to 2 hours of charging to replenish.
Do I need three-phase power for a home EV charger?
No. A single-phase 7kW charger is sufficient for the vast majority of Melbourne households. It fully charges most EVs overnight. Three-phase 22kW chargers are faster (charging in 2 to 3 hours) and are worthwhile for high-mileage drivers, households with two EVs, or those who want the fastest possible home charging.
Can I charge my EV from solar panels?
Yes, and it is one of the most cost-effective ways to run an EV. A solar-compatible charger (such as the Zappi or Fronius Wattpilot) can be configured to charge only from surplus solar production. A 6.6kW solar system in Melbourne can produce enough surplus to add 150 to 200km of range per week during spring and summer.
Is it worth installing a home charger if I live in an apartment?
If you have a dedicated car space with access to power, yes. A home charger in an apartment car park works the same as one in a house garage. You will need body corporate approval and a licensed electrician to run a dedicated circuit from the building’s electrical supply. Load management systems can help if multiple residents want chargers installed.
How long does a home EV charger take to pay for itself?
At a typical installation cost of $1,800 and annual savings of $700 to $1,000 versus public DC charging, a home charger pays for itself in 1.5 to 2.5 years. With solar charging, the payback is under 12 months. After payback, the ongoing savings continue for the life of the charger (typically 10+ years).
Need an Electrician in Melbourne?
Carlin Co Electrical services all of Melbourne with licensed, insured electricians.
Get a Free QuoteOur Services