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Charging your EV at home doesn’t need to break the bank. That’s why our Head of Energy, Meredith O’Brien, has some top tips to help you save when charging your EV.
If you don’t already have a smart meter, consider switching to one so you can take advantage of time of use tariffs. This way you can charge your EV during off-peak hours when your electricity usage rate is lowest. With a smart meter, you may also be able to download an app or use your retailer’s online website portal to track your electricity usage and manage your electricity bills.
If you have solar panels, it might be worth considering a solar battery, depending on the terms of your preferred EV energy plan. With a battery, you can store solar energy and charge your car with solar anytime and avoid paying for electricity from the grid.
When buying an EV don’t just compare your car insurance, compare your energy plan too! Some energy providers may offer specific EV plans with cheaper charging rates during certain hours. You can search for an energy plan with Compare the Market and compare different tariffs and energy plans that may be suitable for your home and your EV.
Electric vehicles (also known as EVs) are vehicles that have an electric, rechargeable car battery that partly, or completely, powers your car. If you have a fully electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), you can charge your electric car battery by plugging it into a charger, either at home or at a public charging station. Hybrid cars have an electric motor and an internal combustion engine and can be powered by both, while full electric vehicles run solely on their electric motor.
Yes, it is possible to charge an EV at home, if you have EV charging equipment such as a nearby power point or other charging option. However, if you aren’t on a plan tailored for an electric vehicle, charging your EV at home can bump up your electricity bill as it will be charged at your electricity plan’s usage rate.
The majority of EVs will come with a charging cable that can be plugged into a regular power outlet (power point). No special equipment is required but this is the slowest charging method. A wall charger provides faster charging, but an electrician will be needed for EV charger installation. If you don’t own the property you’re living in, obtain approval for the proposed installation from your landlord first.
There are three levels of EV chargers available, but which one you choose often depends on whether your home uses single-phase or three-phase power. Most residential homes have single-phase wiring, meaning you can only use a level one charger or slow level two charger, but this can still charge your EV at over twice the speed of a regular charging cable.1
If you have an EV that can only be charged with three-phase power, or you want a smart charger, you may need to upgrade your wiring and home power supply to install a three-phase wallbox. This should only be done by a licensed professional, and you should discuss the fees involved before deciding to change the wiring of your home to support three-phase power.
If you’re an electric vehicle owner or looking to purchase an EV, the cost of charging your battery may also be a concern. EV charging at home instead of at a charging station can be easier to manage but can increase your electricity bill. Thankfully, some electricity retailers offer specific energy plans for electric vehicles.
An EV energy plan can help you hit the brakes on excessive electricity bills due to charging your EV. Some retailers may offer specific EV plans with set times (e.g. midnight to 6am) when a low, or even zero usage charge for you to charge your EV is available. This can help you charge your EV without getting hit with bill shock. EV energy plans may not be offered by every retailer so it’s a good idea to compare electricity plans to find one that meets your needs.
The time it takes to get your EV to full charge will vary depending on several factors, such as:
The type of charger will cause the most discrepancy with charging times.2 For home EV chargers, a level one, single phase charger may take up to sixteen hours (or even longer depending on your battery), while a level two slow charger may only take two hours.1 Some public chargers may be even faster but these can cost more to use.
The cost to charge an electric vehicle will depend on factors such as where you choose to charge it, the type of charging infrastructure you’re using, and, if you’re charging it at home, what electricity plan you’re on.
According to the NSW Government, fast public electric vehicle chargers may only take up to 15 minutes to add a significant charge to your vehicle. However, this can cost from 40c to 80c per kilowatt hour (kWh).3 Other EV plans may offer a daily time period with no electricity usage cost for you to charge your EV, which can save on charging costs (although supply charges will still apply).
If you’re interested in charging at home, be sure to consider the installation costs, which may be affected by things like the type of charger and how complex the installation is.
Yes, if you have a home solar system, you may be able to charge your car using solar generated electricity and lower your overall carbon emissions at the same time. However, charging your car with solar will be limited to when the sun is shining and requires you to not need your car during the day while it charges. If you have a smart EV charger, you may be able to adjust the charge rate to match your solar generation.
If you want to further help support the environment, you may also be able to choose an electricity plan with GreenPower. This way, your insurer will purchase renewable energy on your behalf which helps lower the emissions of all of your electricity usage, not just when you’re charging your EV.
Free public EV charging stations can help you save on electricity, but these may not always be available. Additionally, if you need to charge your EV frequently it’s not always convenient or possible to spend hours at a shopping centre or other public charging station every few days.
Many public charging stations may use alternating current (AC) fast chargers that can take several hours to charge your car. If you’re after faster charging, there may be direct current (DC) chargers that fully charge your vehicle in only 10-15 minutes1 but these will be the most expensive to use.
When you charge at home, you have more control of when your EV can be charged and at what rates, so it’s important to compare plans to search for a rate that meets your needs. Charge during off-peak hours if you have a time-of-use tariff, use solar to charge your EV or choose a plan with specific free or low-rate EVV charging times, and you may find more savings and greater convenience from charging at home.
As the Head of Energy at Compare the Market, Meredith O’Brien believes in educating Australian customers about the everchanging gas and electricity market so they can adjust their energy usage habits and get the most out of their energy plans.
Meredith has six years within the energy industry, following 15 years of experience in financial services and is currently studying a Master of Business Administration. Meredith is a dedicated customer advocate who is passionate about empowering Australians to find the right products to suit their needs by removing the confusion from comparing.
1 Transport for NSW – NSW Government. Charging an electric vehicle. Accessed November 2024.
2 Transport and Motoring – Queensland Government. Electric vehicles and charging. Accessed January 2025.
3 NSW Climate and Energy Action – NSW Government. Electric vehicle fast charging stations. Accessed November 2024.