Public EV Charging Cost Calculator

Public charging cost

EV efficiency

kWh/100km

Distance

Electricity price

$/kWh

Rate category

⚡ Public AC

Public charging cost $7.20 16.0 kWh used

Comparison —

Cost comparison

Typical public charging cost by charger type

Public charging cost depends on vehicle efficiency, the charger type and the network you use. AC chargers at destinations are cheapest per kWh, while ultra rapid DC chargers cost more but charge much faster.

How this calculator works

This calculator estimates the cost of charging your EV at a public station and compares it to the cost of the same trip charged at home. It defaults to a Public AC rate and shows the home charging equivalent alongside every result, so you can immediately see the price difference between public and home charging.

Formula

Energy used = Distance (km) ÷ 100 × EV efficiency (kWh per 100 km)

Charging cost = Energy used × Electricity price ($ per kWh)

Worked example

Distance: 100 km
EV efficiency: 16 kWh per 100 km
Public rate: $0.45 per kWh (Public AC)
Home rate: $0.08 per kWh (EV off peak)

Energy used: 100 ÷ 100 × 16 = 16 kWh

Public cost: 16 × $0.45 = $7.20

Home cost: 16 × $0.08 = $1.28

Public premium: $7.20 − $1.28 = $5.92 more (5.6× EV off peak)

The home comparison uses your EV off peak rate. If you have set custom rates in the My EV panel, the home comparison reflects your custom EV off peak rate.

Price preset guide

The price tiers include three public charging scenarios reflecting the most common charger types at public stations across Australia. Home and off peak rates are also shown so you can compare public charging cost against what you pay at home.

Public AC ($0.45) — Approximate pricing for AC chargers at public charging stations. These are the most common type of public charger and are typically found in shopping centres, car parks and destinations. Charging is slower but cost per kWh is lower than DC options.

DC fast ($0.65) — Approximate pricing for DC fast chargers at public stations. These deliver higher charging power and are commonly used on highways and at service stops where speed matters more than cost.

Ultra rapid DC ($0.80) — The highest public charging price category, covering high-power DC chargers of 150 kW and above. Cost per kilometre is significantly higher than public AC charging, though charging sessions are much shorter.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to charge an EV at a public charger in Australia?

Public AC chargers in Australia typically cost around $0.40 to $0.50 per kWh. DC fast chargers range from around $0.55 to $0.75 per kWh depending on the network and location. For a typical EV using 16 kWh per 100 km, a 100 km trip costs roughly $7.20 on a public AC charger and around $10.40 on a DC fast charger.

Is public EV charging more expensive than charging at home?

Yes, in most cases. Home charging at a standard rate of around $0.30 per kWh costs around $4.80 per 100 km. Public AC charging at $0.45 per kWh costs around $7.20 per 100 km, and DC fast charging at $0.65 per kWh costs around $10.40 per 100 km. Most EV owners charge at home for everyday use and use public chargers for longer trips.

Do I need an account or app to use public EV chargers in Australia?

It depends on the network. Some public chargers in Australia allow contactless payment by credit or debit card, while others require a network account or app to activate. Chargefox, Evie and BP Pulse are among the major networks operating in Australia, each with their own pricing and payment methods. Our EV charging apps guide has more detail on the main networks and how to access them.

How does EV efficiency affect public charging cost?

Vehicle efficiency has a direct impact on charging cost. A more efficient EV using 14 kWh per 100 km costs less to charge for the same trip than one using 20 kWh per 100 km. At a public AC rate of $0.45 per kWh, the difference is $6.30 versus $9.00 for a 100 km trip. Use the efficiency input above to adjust the estimate for your own vehicle.