Cost to Charge an EV in Perth: What It Really Costs
The cost to charge an EV at home is one of the best surprises of going electric, it is usually far cheaper than filling up with petrol. Understanding the cost to charge an EV helps you budget and charge smartly. Here is how it is worked out and how to keep it low in Perth.
How the cost is worked out
The cost to charge an EV comes down to how much energy you put in, measured in kilowatt-hours, times your electricity rate. A car with a large battery costs more to fill than a small one, just as with petrol. Knowing your rate and your car’s battery size gives you a good estimate of a full charge.
6 things that affect the cost to charge an EV
- Your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour
- Your car’s battery size
- How low the battery is when you start
- Charging on peak or off-peak power
- Charging from rooftop solar
- Home charging vs public fast charging
Off-peak charging
The single biggest lever on the cost to charge an EV at home is when you charge. Charging overnight on an off-peak tariff can cost much less than peak rates. Since most people charge while they sleep anyway, shifting to off-peak is an easy way to cut the cost to charge an EV significantly.
Charging from solar
If you have rooftop solar, charging during the day from your own power can cut the cost to charge an EV to almost nothing. Instead of exporting surplus solar for a small feed-in, you use it to fill the car. For solar homes, daytime charging is often the cheapest option of all.
Home vs public charging
Home charging is almost always cheaper than public charging. Public fast chargers are convenient on a trip but cost more per kilowatt-hour. For everyday driving, charging at home keeps the cost to charge an EV low, with public charging saved for longer journeys when you need a quick top-up.
Compared to petrol
The headline for most owners is that the cost to charge an EV at home is well below the cost of petrol for the same distance, especially off-peak or from solar. Exact savings depend on your rates and car, but the running-cost gap is a major reason people switch to electric.
Install matters too
While this is about running costs, the right home charger and a proper install make charging cheaper and easier, a smart charger can schedule off–peak or solar charging automatically. The upfront charger cost is separate from the cost to charge an EV, but a good setup helps you get the cheapest charging.
Working out your own cost
To estimate your own cost, take your car’s usable battery size in kilowatt-hours and multiply by your electricity rate for a rough full-charge cost. Since you rarely charge from empty, real top-ups cost less. It is a simple sum that shows just how affordable home charging can be.
Smart charging saves more
A smart charger can automatically charge when power is cheapest, overnight off-peak, or during the day from solar, without you thinking about it. That automation is where a good setup pays off, quietly keeping your charging on the cheapest power available.
Why use a licensed electrician
Getting a home charger installed on the right circuit, set up for off-peak or solar charging, is licensed work that pays off in cheaper charging. A licensed electrician installs and configures it correctly. The Western Power connections and network page covers the network side.
Want the cheapest way to charge your EV in Perth?
ACS Electrical installs and sets up home charging across the metro. Explore our EV charger installation service, EV charger cost guide or EV charging time guide. Call 0419 967 838.
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