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§ 04 — Vehicle · SA

EV vs petrol in South Australia — 2026 numbers.

South Australia home electricity averages 34.8¢/kWh. Petrol is $1.91/L. On a typical 15,000 km/year, that means an EV saves you roughly $1,287/year at home charging. Plug in your numbers below to see your personal result.

Updated · May 2026·Source: AER · FuelCheck · RACQ·Read · 5 min

Your inputs

km / year

Petrol car

e.g. Corolla, Camry

Electric vehicle

e.g. BYD, Tesla, MG

Home rate; fast charging averages ~55¢/kWh.

5 years

Inputs local. Nothing sent anywhere.

The result

EV saves you · over 5 years

$6,437

in fuel/energy costs alone · 60% cheaper to "fill"

Petrol car

$10,744

Electric vehicle

$4,307

Cost per 100km
Petrol
$14.32
Cost per 100km
EV (home)
$5.74
Annual saving
$1,287
CO₂ saved · year
0.6 t

Calculation excludes purchase price difference, depreciation, insurance, servicing, and tyres. EVs typically have lower servicing (~$300/year less) but higher insurance and tyres. Add purchase price and depreciation for total cost of ownership.

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When the EV maths works in South Australia

In South Australia, a typical petrol car (7.5 L/100km) costs $14.32/100kmat the current bowser price. The equivalent EV (16.5 kWh/100km) charged at home costs $5.74/100km — a saving of $8.58 per 100km.

At 15,000 km/year that compounds to roughly $1,287/year in fuel savings. Over a typical 5-year ownership period: around $6,435 — enough to meaningfully offset a higher EV purchase price.

The wildcard is public fast charging: at 50–60¢/kWh the EV running cost rises to $9.08/100km — still cheaper than petrol, but the gap narrows. Apartment dwellers or frequent long-distance drivers should weigh the charging mix carefully.

§ Letters & replies

EVs in South Australia, answered.

Common questions about electric vehicles in South Australia.

Why is South Australia's electricity rate the highest in Australia?+ open

SA's average electricity rate of 34.8¢/kWh is the highest of any Australian state. This reflects the state's high penetration of rooftop solar (which has pushed up grid costs for non-solar households), relatively older grid infrastructure, and lower density. Despite this, EV charging is still cheaper than petrol in SA.

Does South Australia have EV incentives?+ open

SA's government previously offered rebates and road registration concessions for EVs. Check the SA Department for Energy and Mining for current programs. Notably, SA's high electricity costs mean EV owners benefit most from home solar — charging from your own panels at near-zero marginal cost is common in the state.

Is an EV still cheaper to run in SA despite high electricity prices?+ open

Yes — even at 34.8¢/kWh, driving 100km in an EV costs approximately $5.74 vs $14.32 in a petrol car at current SA prices. That's still a significant saving — especially for high-mileage drivers.

Next: the rest of the running-cost picture

§ 05 — Vehicle

Fuel cost · SA

Petrol spend per trip, week and year at South Australia's current bowser price.

§ 06 — Home

Solar panel ROI

Charge your EV from your own solar — near-zero marginal cost.

§ 04 — Vehicle

All-state EV comparison

See how South Australia's rates compare to every other state.