Lyla Lindsey
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular in Australia, with over 33,000 sold in 2022. As a result, the demand for EV charging stations is also on the rise. There are several options available for charging your EV in Australia, including charging at home, at work, or at public charging stations. Public charging stations can be found at various locations, such as highways, service centres, visitor attractions, accommodation venues, public carparks, and supermarkets. These stations are typically operated by different companies and organisations, each with its own payment methods and charging speeds. Some common EV charging networks in Australia include ChargeFox, NRMA, and RAA. These networks offer various charging options, such as rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, to cater to different needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Charging locations | At home, at work, or at public locations such as highway service centres, visitor attractions, accommodation venues, public carparks, and supermarkets. |
| Charging speeds | Alternating current (AC) slow charging (1.4 kW to 3.7 kW), direct current (DC) fast charging (25 kW to 350 kW), and ultra-rapid charging (up to 350 kW). |
| Charging time | Varies depending on the car's battery and the power of the charging station. Generally, AC charging adds 10-20 km of range per hour, while DC fast charging can add 150-300 km of range per hour. |
| Charging cost | The cost of electricity varies by location and charger type. On average, it costs around 28 cents per kW to charge an electric car. Charging at home is typically cheaper than using ultra-rapid stations ($0.20 per kWh vs $0.65 per kWh). |
| Payment methods | Some chargers require a dedicated card or a specific app, while others accept Visa, MasterCard, or other standard debit/credit cards. |
| Charger types | Level 1 (lowest power) to Level 3 (highest power); Type 2 AC chargers, CCS DC plugs, CHAdeMO plugs, and Tesla chargers (only compatible with Tesla cars). |
| Charger networks | ChargeFox, NRMA, RAA, EVSE. |
| Charger apps | ChargeFox, My NRMA, RAA Charge. |
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What You'll Learn
Charging at home vs. public charging
Electric vehicles (EVs) can be charged using a regular power outlet at home, known as a Level 1 charger. This is a convenient option, but it can be slow and requires a driveway, garage or long extension cord. The typical charge rate is 1 to 4 km every 10 minutes, which means it will take several hours to add 100km of driving range.
Many EV owners choose to install Level 2 or Level 3 chargers at home if they regularly travel longer distances or prefer a quick charger. These can add 7.5km-15km or 45km-129km per hour of charge, respectively.
Public charging stations are also available across Australia, with 2307 stations for electric cars, 357 of which are fast-charging stations. These include those provided by Chargefox, the country's largest and fastest-growing EV charging network, as well as Tritium, Tesla and others. Public charging stations can be found at highway service centres, visitor attractions, accommodation venues, public carparks, supermarkets and more.
When using a public charging station, users may need to use a dedicated card or download a specific app to initiate the charging process. It is recommended to charge to 80% state of charge (SoC) to improve vehicle battery care and life.
Charging at home is a more convenient and cost-effective option for many EV owners, as it eliminates the need to search for and travel to public charging stations. However, public charging stations can be useful when travelling long distances or when access to home charging is unavailable.
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Different types of charging points
Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) refers to the hardware that delivers energy to charge an electric vehicle (EV) battery. EV chargers are categorised into levels, indicating the amount of power delivered to the vehicle.
Level 1 (AC)
Level 1 chargers are the slowest, ranging from 1.4 kW to 3.7 kW AC charging capability. This is the same as plugging into a regular power point at home or work. Typically, this level adds 10 to 20 km of range after being plugged in for an hour. Charging is usually performed overnight or for a few hours during the day to recharge the vehicle by 100-200 km.
Level 2 (AC)
Level 2 chargers provide dedicated AC charging for EVs from about 7 kW (single-phase) to 22 kW (three-phase), which is much faster than Level 1. These chargers are commonly installed in residential homes, workplaces, hotels and resorts, where the car will be parked for an extended period. Level 2 chargers are also available in public locations, such as shopping centres. The Type 2 plug, also known as the Mennekes or IEC 62196 plug, is the European-standard AC plug for EVs and has become the most common form in Australia.
Level 3 (DC)
Level 3 chargers offer the fastest charging option, ranging from 25 kW to 350 kW DC fast-charging capability. This level can add 150 to 300 km of range per hour, and some vehicles can be fully charged in 10 to 15 minutes. The Combined Charging System Combo 2 (CCS2) is becoming the standard DC plug type. CHAdeMO (Charge de Move) is another DC fast-charging option. Since 2020, all new EVs sold in Australia have both AC and DC plugs.
Charging Station Types
There are various types of charging stations available for EV owners in Australia. These include public charging stations, which may require a dedicated card or a specific app for payment. Some stations also accept standard Visa, MasterCard debit and/or credit cards. Additionally, there are free public charging stations, often located in public carparks or offering free charging to guests at hotels and restaurants.
EV owners can also install charging stations at home, which is considered the most cost-effective, reliable, and convenient way to recharge. Furthermore, workplace charging is an option for many, with employers providing on-site charging for staff.
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Cost of charging
The cost of charging an electric car in Australia varies depending on several factors, including the electricity provider and plan, charging timing, charger type, and car battery size. Here is a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with charging electric cars in Australia:
Home Charging Costs:
Charging an electric vehicle at home is generally considered the most cost-effective method. The cost of charging at home depends on the electricity rate, which is typically given as a price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). In Australia, the electricity rate for charging electric vehicles can range from 25 to 30 cents per kWh, and sometimes even up to 60 cents per kWh for fast DC charging. This rate can vary based on factors such as the energy provider, time of day (with off-peak hours being cheaper), and energy source (such as solar power).
For example, let's consider a flat-rate charging cost for an electric car with a 60kWh battery. The cost to fully charge this vehicle at home will depend on the electricity rate. If the rate is 25 cents per kWh, the cost would be $15 (60kWh x $0.25). However, if the rate is 30 cents per kWh, the cost increases to $18 (60kWh x $0.30).
Additionally, the charging time and speed can impact the overall cost. Slower charging options, such as Level 1 charging (1.4kW to 3.7kW), may be suitable for overnight charging but will result in longer charging times compared to faster options.
Public Charging Costs:
Charging an electric vehicle using public charging networks can vary in cost depending on factors such as location, charging speed, and time of day. Public charging stations typically offer Level 2 or Level 3 chargers, with Level 3 being the fastest option.
Public charging stations may have different payment methods, including dedicated cards, specific apps, or standard credit/debit cards. Some public charging stations are still free of charge, such as the NRMA's network in New South Wales and Tesla's Destination Chargers. However, paid stations typically charge by the kilowatt-hour (kWh), with rates ranging from 25 cents per kWh to 40-60 cents per kWh for faster DC charging options.
The cost of charging an electric car in Australia, therefore, depends on various factors, with home charging generally being more cost-effective than public charging. The specific costs will depend on the individual circumstances, such as the electricity provider, charging location, and charging speed chosen.
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How long it takes to charge
The time it takes to charge an electric car in Australia depends on the type of charger and the car's battery.
Charging at home
Charging stations installed at home typically have a power rating of 7kW (adding 40km of range per hour) or 22kW (120km per hour). However, due to limitations in Australian homes' electricity supply, most home installations use a 7kW charger.
Charging at work or public charging stations
Charging stations installed at workplaces and public charging stations across Australia typically provide a charging speed of 7kW to 22kW.
Direct current (DC) fast charging
DC chargers provide the fastest charging speed, ranging from 25 kW to 350 kW. This level of charger can add 150 to 300km of range per hour, with some vehicles being able to fully charge in 10 to 15 minutes.
Alternating current (AC) slow charging
AC chargers range from 1.4 kW to 3.7 kW. This type of charging is the same as plugging into a regular power point at home or work. After one hour of charging, the vehicle's range will increase by 10 to 20 km. Charging is usually performed overnight or for a few hours during the day to recharge the vehicle by 100-200km.
Portable chargers
Portable chargers can be plugged into any standard Australian outlet. They typically charge at up to 50km of range per hour, making them perfect for overnight charging.
Ultrarapid chargers
Ultrarapid 350 kW chargers can charge a car in as little as 8 minutes.
Regular power point
The slowest charging option is a regular power point, which can charge up to 2.4 kW. If your car has a 50 kW battery, it will take about 21 hours to charge from flat.
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Apps to find charging stations
There are several apps available to help electric vehicle (EV) owners in Australia find charging stations. Here are some of the most popular and useful ones:
PlugShare
PlugShare is a community-driven app that provides a comprehensive map of every charger in Australia, showing real-time availability. It covers all major EV charging networks in the country, including ChargePoint, Tesla Destination, Evie Networks, ChargeFox, and more. The app also allows users to filter by connector type, charging speed, and amenities like food or bathrooms. PlugShare also has a web page with an excellent user interface that is easy to navigate and understand.
ChargeFox
ChargeFox claims to be Australia's largest electric vehicle charging network, with over 1,400 plugs across the country, including standard DC, fast, and ultra-rapid fast-charging options. The ChargeFox app helps drivers find, use, and pay for charging. It is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
Evie
The Evie app helps users locate EV chargers and pay for charging. Evie is the fastest-growing charging network in the ACT and beyond, and it has received funding from the federal government's ARENA grant program, so expect to see more of these stations in Australia's capital cities.
Google Maps
Google Maps now has the ability to help users search for nearby charging stations. Users can search by 'relevance', 'plug type', 'open now', 'fast charge', distance, and EV charging speeds. Google Maps also allows users to save their plug type preset for future use.
ABRP
ABRP is a lesser-known app that is becoming popular globally. It takes the driving range data of vehicles and helps plan routes that take into account charging points along the way.
Ampol’s AmpCharge
Ampol’s AmpCharge app is set to become a major player in the EV app space as chargers begin to roll out across Australia.
EasyPark
EasyPark is a parking app that also shows information about the availability of electric charging, allowing users to park and power up at the same time.
Exploren
The Exploren app helps users locate chargers close to them and monitor their charging sessions in real time. It also has a load management feature that helps users charge efficiently without overloading.
ChargePoint
Although based in the USA, the ChargePoint app still allows users to find chargers in their local area in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find public charging stations across councils, shopping centres, highway service centres, visitor attractions, accommodation venues, public carparks, and supermarkets. To find your nearest charging station, you can use the ChargeFox app or view the NRMA charging map.
Electric vehicle chargers are categorised by levels indicating the amount of power delivered to an electric vehicle. Level one is the lowest and level three is the highest. Alternating current (AC) chargers are slow chargers ranging from 1.4 kW to 3.7 kW. Direct current (DC) chargers are fast chargers offering 25 kW to 350 kW of charging capability.
First, park in the designated spot, ensuring that your charging port is on the same side or near the charger. Then, open your EV's charging port and get the charging cable from the station. Connect the cable to the charging station and your EV. Finally, start the charging session using an app or payment method.
Charging time depends on the type of charger and your electric vehicle. Slow chargers (up to 2.4 kW) can take up to 21 hours to fully charge a car, while rapid chargers (150 kW) and ultra-rapid chargers (200 kW) can take as little as 15 to 45 minutes.
The cost of charging depends on the location and type of charger. Generally, charging at home is cheaper than using an ultra-rapid station. The cost of electricity also varies by provider and source of energy. On average, it costs around 28 cents per kW to charge an electric car.
