EV Running Cost Calculator Australia

EV running cost

EV efficiency

kWh/100km

Annual distance

Electricity price

$/kWh

Rate category

⚡ EV off peak

Annual running cost $592 15,000 km/year at $0.08/kWh

Monthly cost $49 $1.28 per 100 km

Rate comparison

Typical EV electricity cost by rate

The total annual running cost of an EV includes electricity, servicing and road user charges. Electricity cost varies with your charging rate, while servicing and road user charges are relatively fixed. The table below shows the electricity component at each price tier.

How this calculator works

This calculator estimates the total annual running cost of an electric vehicle by combining electricity cost with estimated servicing and road user charges. The electricity component is calculated from your inputs. Servicing and road user charges use industry midpoint estimates that apply to all tiers equally.

Formula

Electricity cost = EV efficiency (kWh per 100 km) × Electricity price ($ per kWh) × Annual distance ÷ 100

Total annual running cost = Electricity cost + Servicing ($400 est.) + Road user charge ($375 est.)

Worked example

EV efficiency: 16 kWh per 100 km
Electricity price: $0.30 per kWh (Home standard rate)
Annual distance: 15,000 km

Electricity: 16 × 0.30 × 15,000 ÷ 100 = $720 per year

Total: $720 + $400 + $375 = $1,495 per year

Servicing estimate is the midpoint of $300–$500 for a typical EV. Road user charge estimate is the midpoint of $300–$450 based on current Australian per-kilometre charges where applicable. Both are indicative — actual amounts vary by state, vehicle and service provider.

Price preset guide

Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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.

Does how I charge affect my EV running cost?

Yes, significantly. The electricity price you pay depends on when and where you charge. Charging at home overnight on an off peak tariff is usually the cheapest option. Public AC chargers are more expensive. DC fast chargers are the most expensive per kWh and can sometimes cost more per kilometre than petrol if used exclusively. Most EV owners minimise running cost by doing the majority of their charging at home and reserving public fast charging for occasional longer trips.