The charging guide
1,272 fast-charging sites. 45+ apps. Zero tap-and-go mandate. Here's what charging an EV in Australia actually costs, which networks deserve your money, and the three apps you actually need.
Last verified: 5 October 2026 · We re-verify network pricing and site counts monthly.
Australia's charging landscape looks chaotic until you realise a dozen networks cover the overwhelming majority of fast-charging sessions. Prices below are per kWh, verified 5 October 2026 — they change, so we date them.
Largest roaming reach in Australia
DC price$0.50–0.70/kWh
Top speedAC to 350kW
Tap-and-goApp only
Verified 5 October 2026
Largest independent DC network
DC price$0.58–0.68/kWh
Top speed50–350kW
Tap-and-goYes (newer sites)
Verified 5 October 2026
Most reliable fast network, bar none
DC price$0.55–0.75/kWh (members pay less)
Top speed120–250kW
Tap-and-goApp only
Verified 5 October 2026
Servo locations = toilets, coffee, 24/7
DC price$0.55–0.65/kWh
Top speed75–150kW
Tap-and-goYes (newer sites)
Verified 5 October 2026
Drive-through bays at some sites — caravan-friendly
DC price$0.60–0.69/kWh
Top speed150–180kW
Tap-and-goYes (newer sites)
Verified 5 October 2026
7kWh free every day — genuinely free
DC priceFirst 7kWh/day free, then ~$0.50/kWh
Top speed25kW DC
Tap-and-goApp only
Verified 5 October 2026
The default platform for council, shopping-centre and motel chargers
DC price—
Top speed7–22kW AC
Tap-and-goApp only
Verified 5 October 2026
Fills regional NSW gaps nobody else touches
DC price~$0.54/kWh (member discounts)
Top speed50–150kW
Tap-and-goApp only
Verified 5 October 2026
Australia's first state network — Brisbane to Cairns covered
DC priceFree at launch-era sites; newer ultra-rapid sites paid (~$0.50/kWh)
Top speed50–350kW
Tap-and-goApp only
Verified 5 October 2026
The world's longest connected EV highway claim — Perth to Esperance to Kununurra
DC price~$0.50–0.60/kWh
Top speed50–150kW
Tap-and-goApp only
Verified 5 October 2026
Energy-retailer backing; bundles with home EV plans
DC price~$0.55/kWh
Top speedAC + 50kW DC
Tap-and-goApp only
Verified 5 October 2026
A mid-size EV SUV uses roughly 15–17kWh per 100km. At an average NSW home tariff that's about $5 per 100km; on public DC at 62¢/kWh it's roughly $10.50 per 100km. A comparable petrol SUV at $1.95/litre burns $15–19 per 100km. Run your own car, tariff and charging mix below:
Unlike Europe, Australia has no tap-and-go mandate — most chargers require the network's app with a stored card. That confusion is the single biggest frustration new owners report, and it's why we maintain the three apps you actually need guide. Short version: Chargefox for reach, Evie for independent DC, PlugShare for truth.
Plugs are simpler than they look: CCS2 won. Every new EV on sale here uses it for DC fast charging, Type 2 for AC at home and destination chargers. If you drive a pre-2022 Nissan Leaf, CHAdeMO adapters and remaining sites are covered there too.
Prices come from manufacturer AU pages and dealer quotes, verified on the date shown. Range figures are WLTP lab numbers — expect roughly 80–90% in mixed real-world driving. Rankings weigh cost per km, charging speed, warranty and availability. No brand pays for placement; commercial relationships are labelled and never affect the order. See methodology.
Home charging on an average tariff works out to roughly 4–6¢ per kilometre — about $5–9 per 100km at typical efficiency. Public DC fast charging runs 50–70¢/kWh, or roughly $10–15 per 100km. Even fully public-charged, most EVs undercut an equivalent petrol car.
Three: Chargefox (largest roaming reach, 1,849 accessible sites), Evie (largest independent DC network), and PlugShare (crowdsourced status so you don't drive to a broken charger). Tesla owners add the Tesla app; non-Tesla drivers need it for open Supercharger sites.
Rarely. Australia has no tap-and-go mandate, and most chargers are app-only. Evie and BP Pulse lead on card payment at newer sites. Download the apps and set up payment before your first road trip, not in a car park on 4G.
Almost every EV sold here since 2022 uses CCS2 for DC fast charging and Type 2 for AC. Teslas use the NACS plug at Superchargers but all AU-delivered cars also have CCS2. CHAdeMO (older Nissan Leafs) is being phased out.
Jolt gives 7kWh free per day at its kerbside chargers — worth ~$25/week to a daily commuter. Some shopping centres, councils and hotels still offer free AC charging, but the free era is shrinking fast. Never plan a route around a free charger without a backup.
Network price rises, new site openings and membership deals — checked and dated, weekly.
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