Last verified: 5 October 2026 · Tariffs and network prices re-verified monthly.
Run your own numbers
Charging cost calculator
Home tariffs by state — the table that decides your savings
Your electricity tariff matters more than your car's efficiency. The spread between the best off-peak plan and the worst flat tariff is the difference between $2 and $9 per 100km on the same car.
| State | Typical flat tariff | EV/off-peak option | Cost per 100km (flat) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 32¢/kWh | 8–15¢/kWh overnight plans | $5.30 |
| VIC | 28¢/kWh | 10–15¢/kWh EV plans | $4.60 |
| QLD | 30¢/kWh | Tariff 31/33 + EV plans | $5.00 |
| SA | 36¢/kWh | Solar sponge + off-peak | $6.00 |
| WA | 29¢/kWh | Synergy EV plan | $4.80 |
| TAS | 27¢/kWh | Aurora off-peak | $4.45 |
| ACT | 27¢/kWh | EV plans from 8¢/kWh | $4.45 |
| NT | 30¢/kWh | Limited options | $5.00 |
Indicative single-rate tariffs, verified 5 October 2026. Your plan may differ — check your bill's "cents per kWh" line.
Public charging: what each network takes per 100km
DC fast charging runs 50–70¢/kWh across the major networks — roughly $9–15 per 100km. Memberships change the maths: Tesla's $9.99/month membership pays for itself at around 450km of monthly DC charging, and motoring-club Chargefox discounts shave 10–20% off DC rates. See the network comparison for per-network pricing, and the charging discounts page for every membership's breakeven.
The solar question, honestly
If you have solar and charge while the sun's up, your marginal cost is the feed-in tariff you forgo — typically 5–8¢/kWh, or about $1 per 100km. But most people drive during the day. A timer or smart charger on an off-peak plan captures most of the benefit without needing to be home at noon. Full walkthrough in home charging with solar.
Frequently asked questions
A 60kWh battery on a 30¢/kWh tariff costs about $18 from empty — for roughly 450km of range. On an off-peak or EV plan at 8–15¢/kWh overnight, the same charge is $5–9. Most owners charge overnight and never think about it.
Usually yes, but not by much at full DC rates: $10–15 per 100km versus $15–19 for a petrol SUV. The big savings come from home charging (around $5 per 100km). DC charging is for road trips and top-ups, not daily use, if you want maximum savings.
Solar during the day (effectively free after panel costs), then off-peak overnight tariffs, then Jolt's free 7kWh/day, then membership-discounted DC, then full-rate DC. Stacking these well can cut running costs to under 2¢/km.
Genuinely, yes — AGL, Origin and others offer overnight EV rates of 8–15¢/kWh. At 15,000km a year that's $500–900 saved versus a flat tariff. Check whether the plan requires a smart meter and a compatible charger before switching.