Last verified: 5 October 2026 · Roaming agreements and access policies change — we re-check monthly.
Charging · Apps
Australia has 45+ charging apps. You need three.
Chargefox for reach, Evie for reliable fast charging, PlugShare for the truth about what's broken. Here's the setup order, the roaming tricks, and when tap-and-go actually works.
1. Chargefox
EssentialThe reach app
1,849 sites via roaming — one account hits NRMA, RACV, and dozens of council and motel chargers. Motoring-club members save 10–20% on DC.
2. Evie
EssentialThe reliable DC app
355+ independent fast-charging sites, the best uptime record in check-in data, and tap-and-go rolling out at new sites.
3. PlugShare
EssentialThe truth app
Crowdsourced photos and check-ins. It won't start a charge, but it will stop you driving 40km to a dead unit.
4. Tesla
Road tripsThe Supercharger key
Non-Tesla EVs can use ~two-thirds of AU Supercharger sites through this app — often the only fast option in regional towns. $9.99/mo membership cuts rates.
The gotchas that strand new owners
- Roaming ≠ same price. A charger reached via Chargefox roaming can cost more per kWh than the host network's own app. Check both if you charge there often.
- Pre-authorisation holds. Most apps hold $30–50 when a session starts. With several apps installed, that's invisible money — not a scam, but know it happens.
- Free chargers need apps too. Council and shopping-centre AC chargers frequently need an app (Exploren, Chargefox) even at $0. Download before you leave.
- Regional single points of failure. Outside the capitals, one broken charger can mean a 100km detour. PlugShare check-ins are your early-warning system — and every route in our drives section lists a backup charger.
Frequently asked questions
In practice, no. Chargefox's roaming agreements cover sites from dozens of smaller networks, and Evie plus Tesla (open sites) cover most of what Chargefox misses. PlugShare ties it together with live status. Four apps total covers ~95% of Australian public charging.
Chargefox, with 1,849 sites accessible directly or through roaming partners. But "most sites" isn't "best experience" — Evie wins on tap-and-go and reliability, and Tesla's app is mandatory if you want open Supercharger sites.
Yes — it's the only app with crowdsourced check-ins, so it tells you a charger was broken yesterday when the network's own app says "available". It's the verification layer, not the payment layer.
Sometimes. Evie and BP Pulse have tap-and-go at newer sites, and Tesla Superchargers bill plug-and-charge for Teslas. But assume app-first: set up Chargefox, Evie and Tesla accounts at home on Wi-Fi, before you need them.
The Charge-Up — Australia's EV briefing
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