Home charging on a standard flat electricity tariff costs an EV owner roughly $4.50 to $5.50 per 100km. Switching to an off-peak or EV specific tariff cuts that to about $2 to $3.50. Charging from your own solar is close to free. Public fast charging costs more, typically $8 to $12 per 100km. A comparable petrol car costs roughly $13 to $16 per 100km at 2026 fuel prices, which climbed further after the federal fuel excise discount was halved on 1 July 2026.
The short version
- Home charging on a standard tariff costs roughly $4.50 to $5.50 per 100km, versus $13 to $16 for petrol.
- A cheap off-peak or EV tariff cuts home charging to around $2 to $3.50 per 100km.
- Public DC fast charging costs $8 to $12 per 100km, more expensive than home charging but still usually cheaper than petrol.
- Petrol sits around $1.80 to $2.00 a litre nationally in mid 2026, after the fuel excise discount was halved on 1 July.
- Charging from your own solar is close to free, given how low feed-in tariffs currently are.
Cost by charging method
- Home, standard flat tariff: 30 to 35 c/kWh, $4.50 to $5.50 per 100km
- Home, off-peak or EV tariff: 12 to 24 c/kWh, $2.00 to $3.50 per 100km
- Home solar, self-consumed: near zero, close to free
- Public DC fast charging: 45 to 75 c/kWh (up to 85c peak), $8.00 to $12.00 per 100km
- Petrol (7 to 8L/100km): $1.80 to $2.00 per litre, $13.00 to $16.00 per 100km
Why home charging is so much cheaper
An EV typically uses about 15 to 18kWh per 100km. At a standard residential rate of 30 to 35 cents per kWh, that is roughly $4.50 to $5.50 for the same distance a petrol car covers on $13 to $16 of fuel, a saving of somewhere between two thirds and three quarters. Move to a cheap overnight or dedicated EV tariff, commonly 12 to 24 cents per kWh from retailers including AGL, Origin and Amber, and the cost drops again to around $2 to $3.50 per 100km.
Public charging closes the gap, but does not erase it
Public DC fast charging networks in Australia have raised prices through 2026. Evie Networks charges 59 cents per kWh standard, 49 cents for members. Ampol AmpCharge has moved toward 60 to 75 cents in places. Tesla Superchargers for non-Tesla drivers vary widely by site and time, from as low as 27 cents per kWh at some off-peak sites up to around 85 cents at busy peak locations. At the higher end of that range, public charging still beats petrol, but only by a modest margin, roughly 25 to 40 percent cheaper per 100km rather than the two thirds saving home charging delivers.
What petrol costs right now
The national average petrol price sat around $1.65 a litre in June 2026, before the federal fuel excise discount was halved on 1 July 2026, a change expected to add up to 16 cents a litre in some cities. A reasonable current estimate is $1.80 to $2.00 a litre nationally, with Darwin typically the most expensive and Adelaide often the cheapest. Fuel prices move weekly, so check the ACCC's fuel price monitoring for the latest figure if you want a precise number on the day.
The cheapest way to charge
In order, home solar during the day costs the least, since there is little opportunity cost once your feed-in tariff is only a few cents per kWh. A dedicated off-peak or EV tariff overnight is the next cheapest, commonly under 20 cents per kWh. A standard flat home tariff sits in the middle. Public fast charging is the most expensive way to run an EV day to day, useful for road trips and top ups, not for routine charging if you can avoid it.
Working out your own cost
Check your car's actual efficiency (kWh per 100km, usually shown on the dashboard or trip computer) rather than relying on the 15 to 18kWh average used above, since larger SUVs and utes can use noticeably more, and small hatchbacks less. Multiply that figure by your electricity rate to get a precise cost per 100km for your own car and tariff, rather than a national average.
The bottom line
Even at the most expensive public charging rates, an EV remains cheaper to run than a petrol car per kilometre in Australia in 2026. The real saving, often 60 to 75 percent, comes from charging at home on an off-peak tariff or your own solar rather than relying on public fast charging for everyday use.
See real charger pricing in our home EV charger installation cost guide, and read our guide to charging an EV with solar to cut the cost further. Compare EVs and reviews on CarTell.tv.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Australia?
Roughly $4.50 to $5.50 per 100km on a standard flat electricity tariff, or $2.00 to $3.50 per 100km on a cheaper off-peak or EV specific tariff.
How much does public EV fast charging cost?
Typically 45 to 75 cents per kWh, working out to roughly $8 to $12 per 100km, though rates can range from around 27 cents to 85 cents per kWh depending on the network, location and time of day.
Is charging an EV cheaper than petrol?
Yes, in almost every scenario. Home charging costs roughly a quarter to a third of the price of petrol per 100km. Even public fast charging, the most expensive way to charge, is usually 25 to 40 percent cheaper than petrol.
What is the cheapest way to charge an EV?
Charging from your own solar during the day, followed by a dedicated off-peak or EV electricity tariff overnight. Public fast charging is the most expensive routine option.
How much does petrol cost in Australia in mid 2026?
Roughly $1.80 to $2.00 a litre nationally, after the federal fuel excise discount was halved on 1 July 2026. Prices move weekly and vary by city.