How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
Electric vehicles are all the rage in Australia right now. If you ignore the high initial price, they’re technologically way more advanced, quieter, easier to drive and come with lots of perks. While there still is a lot to be done on the public charging infrastructure by the government, which has already incentivised the purchase of electric cars, today we’ll look at some areas around chagrin an EV.
Charging an EV is essentially just recharging a battery. However, the battery is made to carry you and 5 others for around hundreds of kilometres. So it is natural for the charging time to be in hours. In fact most cars which use a 22V charger have an average of 10 hours of charging.
While there are superfast chargers and almost every car comes with a fast charging option, we would strictly recommend it for emergency situations. Repeatedly charging the battery fast will decrease the lifespan of your car battery. If you think charging a battery is difficult, imagine replacing the entire unit!
Charging Levels of an Electric Vehicle
Before we begin understanding these levels, here’s an easy tip for when you’re at the mechanic and they ask you something you don’t understand.
Important: If it works in Europe, it works in Australia. (Strictly for EV charging)
Back into it.
There are essentially three levels of EV charging. They’re not very complexly named, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Each Level is categorised by the power output, use case and placement of where you would usually find it.
The section below further explains how these levels vary from one another.
Level 1
| Connector Type | Power Output | Est. Charging Time | Range per Hour | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J1772 | 1kW - 1.8kW | 22 - 40 hours | 4 - 11 km | Home/Backup |
Level 1 chargers are the slowest of all chargers. They were initially built for Standard battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Thus while this charger is the grandfather of all other chargers that came after, this has a universal plug and is avoided as much as it can.
Once a bold new venture is now just a backup charger when you’re literally all out of options.
Fun fact: While Level 1 chargers are slow, they’re also the least expensive and harmful to the longevity of your battery.
Level 2
| Connector Type | Power Output | Est. Charging Time | Range per Hour | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menekkes | 3 kW - 22kW | 2 - 13 Hours | 16 - 120 km | Workplace, Overnight charging stations |
Now level 2 chargers are more modern and made with better technology and understanding. Thus, they’re faster, more compact, and can easily be installed anywhere. Also, depending upon the power output and how much power your vehicle can sustain, a level 2 charger will prove to be 19 times faster than a level 1 charger.
These chargers have become far more available in the market and are what you’ll find in public charging places, parks and due to their affordability, homes!
Tip: To identify a Menekkes pattern, just count 7 openings, with 2 small ones that look like eyes and 5 big ones which make the curve of a smile.
Level 3
| Connector Type | Power Output | Est. Charging Time | Range per Hour | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCS 2 | 30 - 360 kW | 15 mins - 1.5 Hrs | 200+ km | Fleets, Highway Services, Car dealerships |
The latest charging option. Level 3 charging is also called DC fast charging. Unlike in the other charging levels, this charging level is made strictly for DC charging. While it is used everywhere now on all EVs, ideally they were made for charging at and above 400kW
A level 3 charger uses a 3-phase supply at 400 volts with chargers capable of charging at 360kW. Currently, CCS (Combines Charging Systems), CHAdeMO and Tesla superchargers (NACS) connectors are used for level 3 charging
Fun fact: There are both stationary and portable level 3 chargers available. However, be careful of the electricity bill.
Charging an Electric Car in Australia
While ChargeFox is the largest charging network in Australia, there is no doubt that charging your EV at home is far cheaper. However, even that charging isn’t very cheap. Given, that cars now have different volt of charging, the charges incurred could vary drastically.
However, the following is the average electricity charge to plug in your vehicle at home. These calculations are based on charging an EV with a 60kWh battery on the flat regulated tariff in each state.
| State | Reference rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | 30.3270 | $18.20 |
| NSW | 31.2363 | $18.74 |
| QLD | 25.8170 | $15.49 |
| SA | 40.1830 | $24.11 |
| VIC | 24.4440 | $14.67 |
Sometimes, the cost of charging can vary at the time of the day you choose to charge your car. Thus, most users avoid, if at all, charging their cars outside.
Another incentive from the government is to install solar panels in our homes, which significantly cuts down on power bills and actually gives you some excellent rebate advantages.
What are all charging options available?
Australia is home to a lot of entrepreneurial minds which saw an incoming problem and prepared to solve it. Charging stations are always a concern for an EV driver, thanks to some homegrown brands and some foreign players looking to do their bit have come in and played their part.
While Australia still suffers from an active lack of government participation in the charging infrastructure, the following are the brands which have made owning an EV a smooth ride.
Click on the brand name to see locations of the same. Find one near you!
| Brand | Price | Locations | Output | Stalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChargeFox | Free to $0.60/kWh | 270+ | 4kW AC to 350kW DC | 1-4 |
| Evie | $0.45 to $0.60/kWh | 100+ | 22kW AC to 350kW DC | 1-4 |
| Tesla | $0.50 to $0.69/kWh | 60+ | 120kW or 250kW DC | 3-10 |
| BP Pulse | $0.55/kWh | 15+ | 75kW DC | 1 |
| AmpCharge | $0.69 per kWh | 5+ | 150kW | 1 |
| Tesla (Non Tesla cars) | $0.79kWh | 60+ | 120kW or 250kW DC | 3-10 |
The locations and stalls are exclusive of the Northern Territory.
Stalls denote how many charging units are available at each charging hub.
Difference between AC charging and DC charging.
Broadly speaking, in terms of EV charging, there are two major differences you need to consider between AC charging and DC charging.
- All electricity that comes right from the grid is AC or Alternating Current, this is something like an unleashed source of energy. Very strong, and very dangerous if not channelled properly.
However, the energy stored in the battery which makes an EV work is stored in DC, or Direct Current.
The difference between AC-type EV charging and DC-type EV charging is that AC power is converted into DC power.
- In AC charging, the nature of the current is converted into DC by the on-board charger. This consumes time.
- In DC charging, the nature is converted in the charging station unit, before the power is delivered to the vehicle.
The DC charging can bypass the limitations of an electric vehicle’s onboard charger allowing it to push more power. This makes DC charging a faster charger than AC charging.
What can cause price rises in public charging sites?
Several factors can contribute to price rises in public charging sites for electric vehicles:
- Electricity Prices: Fluctuations in electricity prices can directly impact the cost of charging an EV. If the cost of electricity rises, charging station operators may adjust their prices accordingly to cover their expenses and maintain profitability.
- Demand: Increased demand for public charging infrastructure can lead to higher prices as operators seek to maximize revenue from a growing customer base. High demand may also result in congestion at charging stations, prompting operators to implement dynamic pricing strategies to manage usage
.
- Infrastructure Costs: Building and maintaining charging infrastructure entail significant upfront and ongoing costs. Price rises may occur to cover these expenses, particularly if upgrades or expansions are necessary to meet growing demand or regulatory requirements.
- Regulatory Changes: Changes in government regulations or policies, such as the introduction of new taxes or tariffs on electricity usage or EV charging services, can impact pricing structures for public charging stations.
- Investment and Financing: The availability of funding and investment for charging infrastructure projects can influence pricing decisions. Higher financing costs or the need to generate returns on investment may lead to price adjustments at charging sites.
TL;DR
While the Australian government has still yet to take more active participation in the charging infrastructure, so far the private players have taken the initiative and made charging EVs accessible for all. The prices are also pretty decently categorised for all makes and models. However, Tesla’s approach to pricing non-Tesla cars a bit higher than Tesla cars has had some negative reviews. However, companies like ChargeFox and Evie have partnered with multiple companies to get their charging units as close as they can for everybody, still, last-mile connectivity is lacking.
Providers like Tesla and ChargeFox have also allowed monthly subscription packs which are extremely cost-effective for those who know they will be on the go. This allows users to commute easily by saving time and less stress.
Electric vehicles are all the rage in Australia right now. If you ignore the high initial price, they’re technologically way more advanced, quieter, easier to drive and come with lots of perks. While there still is a lot to be done on the public charging infrastructure by the government, which has already incentivised the purchase of electric cars, today we’ll look at some areas around chagrin an EV.
Charging an EV is essentially just recharging a battery. However, the battery is made to carry you and 5 others for around hundreds of kilometres. So it is natural for the charging time to be in hours. In fact most cars which use a 22V charger have an average of 10 hours of charging.
While there are superfast chargers and almost every car comes with a fast charging option, we would strictly recommend it for emergency situations. Repeatedly charging the battery fast will decrease the lifespan of your car battery. If you think charging a battery is difficult, imagine replacing the entire unit!
Charging Levels of an Electric Vehicle
Before we begin understanding these levels, here’s an easy tip for when you’re at the mechanic and they ask you something you don’t understand.
Important: If it works in Europe, it works in Australia. (Strictly for EV charging)
Back into it.
There are essentially three levels of EV charging. They’re not very complexly named, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Each Level is categorised by the power output, use case and placement of where you would usually find it.
The section below further explains how these levels vary from one another.
Level 1
| Connector Type | Power Output | Est. Charging Time | Range per Hour | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J1772 | 1kW - 1.8kW | 22 - 40 hours | 4 - 11 km | Home/Backup |
Level 1 chargers are the slowest of all chargers. They were initially built for Standard battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Thus while this charger is the grandfather of all other chargers that came after, this has a universal plug and is avoided as much as it can.
Once a bold new venture is now just a backup charger when you’re literally all out of options.
Fun fact: While Level 1 chargers are slow, they’re also the least expensive and harmful to the longevity of your battery.
Level 2
| Connector Type | Power Output | Est. Charging Time | Range per Hour | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menekkes | 3 kW - 22kW | 2 - 13 Hours | 16 - 120 km | Workplace, Overnight charging stations |
Now level 2 chargers are more modern and made with better technology and understanding. Thus, they’re faster, more compact, and can easily be installed anywhere. Also, depending upon the power output and how much power your vehicle can sustain, a level 2 charger will prove to be 19 times faster than a level 1 charger.
These chargers have become far more available in the market and are what you’ll find in public charging places, parks and due to their affordability, homes!
Tip: To identify a Menekkes pattern, just count 7 openings, with 2 small ones that look like eyes and 5 big ones which make the curve of a smile.
Level 3
| Connector Type | Power Output | Est. Charging Time | Range per Hour | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCS 2 | 30 - 360 kW | 15 mins - 1.5 Hrs | 200+ km | Fleets, Highway Services, Car dealerships |
The latest charging option. Level 3 charging is also called DC fast charging. Unlike in the other charging levels, this charging level is made strictly for DC charging. While it is used everywhere now on all EVs, ideally they were made for charging at and above 400kW
A level 3 charger uses a 3-phase supply at 400 volts with chargers capable of charging at 360kW. Currently, CCS (Combines Charging Systems), CHAdeMO and Tesla superchargers (NACS) connectors are used for level 3 charging
Fun fact: There are both stationary and portable level 3 chargers available. However, be careful of the electricity bill.
Charging an Electric Car in Australia
While ChargeFox is the largest charging network in Australia, there is no doubt that charging your EV at home is far cheaper. However, even that charging isn’t very cheap. Given, that cars now have different volt of charging, the charges incurred could vary drastically.
However, the following is the average electricity charge to plug in your vehicle at home. These calculations are based on charging an EV with a 60kWh battery on the flat regulated tariff in each state.
| State | Reference rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | 30.3270 | $18.20 |
| NSW | 31.2363 | $18.74 |
| QLD | 25.8170 | $15.49 |
| SA | 40.1830 | $24.11 |
| VIC | 24.4440 | $14.67 |
Sometimes, the cost of charging can vary at the time of the day you choose to charge your car. Thus, most users avoid, if at all, charging their cars outside.
Another incentive from the government is to install solar panels in our homes, which significantly cuts down on power bills and actually gives you some excellent rebate advantages.
What are all charging options available?
Australia is home to a lot of entrepreneurial minds which saw an incoming problem and prepared to solve it. Charging stations are always a concern for an EV driver, thanks to some homegrown brands and some foreign players looking to do their bit have come in and played their part.
While Australia still suffers from an active lack of government participation in the charging infrastructure, the following are the brands which have made owning an EV a smooth ride.
Click on the brand name to see locations of the same. Find one near you!
| Brand | Price | Locations | Output | Stalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChargeFox | Free to $0.60/kWh | 270+ | 4kW AC to 350kW DC | 1-4 |
| Evie | $0.45 to $0.60/kWh | 100+ | 22kW AC to 350kW DC | 1-4 |
| Tesla | $0.50 to $0.69/kWh | 60+ | 120kW or 250kW DC | 3-10 |
| BP Pulse | $0.55/kWh | 15+ | 75kW DC | 1 |
| AmpCharge | $0.69 per kWh | 5+ | 150kW | 1 |
| Tesla (Non Tesla cars) | $0.79kWh | 60+ | 120kW or 250kW DC | 3-10 |
The locations and stalls are exclusive of the Northern Territory.
Stalls denote how many charging units are available at each charging hub.
Difference between AC charging and DC charging.
Broadly speaking, in terms of EV charging, there are two major differences you need to consider between AC charging and DC charging.
- All electricity that comes right from the grid is AC or Alternating Current, this is something like an unleashed source of energy. Very strong, and very dangerous if not channelled properly.
However, the energy stored in the battery which makes an EV work is stored in DC, or Direct Current.
The difference between AC-type EV charging and DC-type EV charging is that AC power is converted into DC power.
- In AC charging, the nature of the current is converted into DC by the on-board charger. This consumes time.
- In DC charging, the nature is converted in the charging station unit, before the power is delivered to the vehicle.
The DC charging can bypass the limitations of an electric vehicle’s onboard charger allowing it to push more power. This makes DC charging a faster charger than AC charging.
What can cause price rises in public charging sites?
Several factors can contribute to price rises in public charging sites for electric vehicles:
- Electricity Prices: Fluctuations in electricity prices can directly impact the cost of charging an EV. If the cost of electricity rises, charging station operators may adjust their prices accordingly to cover their expenses and maintain profitability.
- Demand: Increased demand for public charging infrastructure can lead to higher prices as operators seek to maximize revenue from a growing customer base. High demand may also result in congestion at charging stations, prompting operators to implement dynamic pricing strategies to manage usage
.
- Infrastructure Costs: Building and maintaining charging infrastructure entail significant upfront and ongoing costs. Price rises may occur to cover these expenses, particularly if upgrades or expansions are necessary to meet growing demand or regulatory requirements.
- Regulatory Changes: Changes in government regulations or policies, such as the introduction of new taxes or tariffs on electricity usage or EV charging services, can impact pricing structures for public charging stations.
- Investment and Financing: The availability of funding and investment for charging infrastructure projects can influence pricing decisions. Higher financing costs or the need to generate returns on investment may lead to price adjustments at charging sites.
TL;DR
While the Australian government has still yet to take more active participation in the charging infrastructure, so far the private players have taken the initiative and made charging EVs accessible for all. The prices are also pretty decently categorised for all makes and models. However, Tesla’s approach to pricing non-Tesla cars a bit higher than Tesla cars has had some negative reviews. However, companies like ChargeFox and Evie have partnered with multiple companies to get their charging units as close as they can for everybody, still, last-mile connectivity is lacking.
Providers like Tesla and ChargeFox have also allowed monthly subscription packs which are extremely cost-effective for those who know they will be on the go. This allows users to commute easily by saving time and less stress.
