Cost Per KM Calculator
Calculate EV cost per km using EV efficiency and electricity price. Compare running cost per kilometre across all charging price tiers at a glance.
EV cost per km
Typical EV cost per km in Australia
EV cost per km depends mainly on vehicle efficiency and electricity price. Home charging usually produces the lowest cost per kilometre, while public fast charging pushes the figure higher.
How this calculator works
This calculator estimates the electricity cost per kilometre for an electric vehicle. It shows costs at every common price tier so you can compare home, public and fast charging at a glance.
Formula
Cost per 100 km = EV efficiency (kWh per 100 km) × Electricity price ($ per kWh)
Cost per km = Cost per 100 km ÷ 100
Worked example
EV efficiency: 16 kWh per 100 km
Electricity price: $0.30 per kWh (Home standard rate)
16 × 0.30 = $4.80 per 100 km
$4.80 ÷ 100 = $0.05 per km
Price preset guide
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical EV running cost per km in Australia?
At a standard home electricity rate of $0.30 per kWh and a typical EV efficiency of 16 kWh per 100 km, the electricity cost works out to around $0.048 per km, or roughly $0.04 to $0.05 per km. This figure increases if the vehicle is charged mainly on public fast chargers and decreases if off peak home charging rates are used.
How much cheaper is an EV to run than a petrol car?
The difference depends on electricity prices, petrol prices and the efficiency of both vehicles. As a rough guide, a typical EV using around 16 kWh per 100 km at a home electricity rate of $0.30 per kWh costs around $4.80 per 100 km to run. A petrol vehicle using 8 litres per 100 km at $2.00 per litre costs around $16.00 per 100 km. That represents a significant ongoing saving, though the exact numbers vary depending on how and where the EV is charged.
Does electricity price affect EV running cost significantly?
Yes. Electricity price is one of the two main factors that determines EV running cost, along with vehicle efficiency. Charging at an EV off peak rate of $0.08 per kWh instead of a standard rate of $0.30 per kWh can reduce fuel cost by around 70 percent. On the other hand, relying heavily on public DC fast chargers at $0.65 per kWh or more can significantly reduce or eliminate the cost advantage over petrol for some vehicles. This is why charging behaviour has a large impact on the true running cost of an EV.
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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