The “EVs are cheaper” claim sounds simple, but it has three big asterisks: how many kilometres you drive, where you live, and how you charge. Move any of those three and the maths swings dramatically.
A mid-size petrol car at 7.5 L/100km costs about $14.40 per 100km at $1.92/L. The same 100km in an EV charged at home (16.5 kWh) costs $4.77at 28.9¢/kWh. Drive 15,000 km a year and that's ~$1,440 saved annually.
But if you mostly fast-charge on the road (55¢/kWh average), the EV cost climbs to $9.08/100km — still cheaper, but the gap halves. Apartment dwellers without dedicated parking should run the numbers carefully before committing.
How to use this calculator
Enter your estimated annual kilometres, petrol price for your state, and your home electricity rate. The calculator models petrol, hybrid, and full-EV running costs in parallel, showing annual fuel spend and five-year totals. Toggle “Mostly public charging” to model the scenario where you rely primarily on fast chargers rather than charging at home overnight.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Australia?
The cost to charge an EV at home depends on your electricity rate and the car's battery size. Most popular EVs sold in Australia (e.g. Tesla Model 3, BYD Atto 3) have batteries of 60—75 kWh. A full charge from near-empty costs approximately $17—24 at typical residential rates of 28—32¢/kWh. That equates to roughly $4.70—6.00 per 100 km for a car consuming 16—18 kWh/100km. If you have solar panels generating power during the day, the effective charging cost can approach zero for daytime top-ups.
State-by-state electricity rates and EV running cost
Electricity prices vary significantly across Australia. South Australia has the highest grid rates (~39¢/kWh), making home charging more expensive and narrowing the cost gap with petrol. Queensland offers the lowest residential rates (~28¢/kWh) partly thanks to historical government subsidies. Tasmania's rates sit around 27¢/kWh — combined with its relatively lower petrol prices, the absolute saving from switching to an EV is smallest there. The table alongside shows the cost per 100km for each state based on current AER-published electricity tariffs.
Common misconceptions about EV running costs
The biggest misunderstanding is treating all EV charging the same. Home charging is consistently around 30¢/kWh; DC fast charging at roadside stations averages 55—65¢/kWh — nearly double. Frequent highway drivers who rely on fast chargers will see far narrower savings than the headline figures suggest. A second misconception is that EVs are maintenance-free: while they avoid oil changes and timing belt replacements, tyre wear is higher due to torque, and brake service still applies. The total ownership picture is broader than fuel cost alone.