EV Charging Cost Calculator
Calculate how much a charging session costs using your battery size, charge window and electricity price. Compare costs across all charging price tiers at a glance.
EV charging cost
Charging cost at common electricity prices
The table below shows the estimated cost to fully charge a battery at each of the common electricity price tiers. Use it as a quick reference for comparing home, public and fast charging prices.
How this calculator works
This calculator estimates the electricity cost of a charging session based on how much energy is needed and what electricity price you pay. It shows costs at every common price tier so you can compare home, public and fast charging at a glance. The cost per 100 km on each card uses your vehicle's efficiency.
Formula
Energy needed = Battery size × (Charge to − Current charge) ÷ 100
Charging cost = Energy needed × Electricity price
Cost per 100 km = EV efficiency × Electricity price
Worked example
Battery size: 100 kWh
Current charge: 10%
Charge to: 80%
Electricity price: $0.30 per kWh (Home standard rate)
EV efficiency: 16 kWh per 100 km
Energy needed: 100 × (80 − 10) ÷ 100 = 70.0 kWh
Charging cost: 70.0 × $0.30 = $21.00
Cost per 100 km: 16 × $0.30 = $4.80 per 100 km
Price preset guide
Frequently asked questions
Is home charging cheaper than public charging?
Charging at home using a residential electricity tariff is typically much cheaper than public charging. Public charging includes the cost of installing, maintaining and operating charging infrastructure, which increases the price compared with home electricity. Because of this, most EV owners do the majority of their charging at home and use public chargers mainly for convenience or long distance travel.
Do EV owners usually charge to 100%?
Usually not. For many EVs, an everyday charge limit of around 80% is common, with 100% used more selectively for longer trips or when the extra range is genuinely needed. The best limit depends on the vehicle and battery chemistry, so it is best to follow the manufacturer guidance for your specific model.
Why is public charging more expensive?
Public charging prices usually include charger hardware, installation, maintenance, payment systems and site operating costs. Fast and ultra rapid chargers also provide a convenience and time benefit, which increases the price compared with home electricity. Even so, public fast charging can still be cheaper than petrol depending on the vehicle's efficiency, the charging price and local fuel prices.
Is EV charging cheaper than petrol?
EVs often cost less per kilometre to run than petrol vehicles because electric motors use energy more efficiently. The exact savings depend on electricity prices, charging location and the vehicle's efficiency. Even when using public fast chargers, the cost per kilometre can still be lower than petrol for many vehicles, especially when fuel prices are high.
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