Reviewed by Lee Gundenswager (Lead Electrician, Connex Lic #92217) and Darren Standring (Owner). Written for North Brisbane and Moreton Bay homeowners. Last updated 2026-07-25.
Quick answer: Charging an EV at home in Brisbane is far cheaper than running a petrol car. On an off-peak electricity tariff, home charging costs roughly $3–$5 per 100km. From surplus rooftop solar it can be close to free. Public fast chargers run about $10–$15 per 100km, and a comparable petrol car is usually $15–$20+ per 100km. The single biggest saving comes from charging at home overnight rather than relying on public chargers — which is exactly what a home charger unlocks.
I’m Lee, lead electrician at Connex Electrical. People considering an EV charger almost always want to know the real running cost, not marketing numbers. Here’s an honest Brisbane breakdown — home vs public vs petrol — so you can see where the savings actually come from.
What it costs to charge an EV at home in Brisbane
Home charging cost depends on your electricity rate. A typical EV uses roughly 15–18 kWh per 100km. Multiply that by your power price:
| Charging source | Approx rate | Cost per 100km |
|---|---|---|
| Surplus rooftop solar | ~free (self-consumed) | Close to $0 |
| Off-peak / controlled tariff (overnight) | ~20–28c/kWh | $3 – $5 |
| Standard general usage tariff | ~30–35c/kWh | $5 – $6 |
| Public AC charger | varies | $6 – $10 |
| Public DC fast charger | ~60c/kWh+ | $10 – $15 |
The takeaway: where and when you charge matters more than anything. Charging overnight at home on an off-peak tariff, or from your own solar, is dramatically cheaper than leaning on public fast chargers.
EV vs petrol: the honest comparison
A petrol car doing 8L/100km at around $2/litre costs about $16 per 100km in fuel alone. Compare that with home charging:
- Petrol: ~$16/100km
- EV, off-peak home charging: ~$3–$5/100km
- EV, from solar: close to free
For a household driving 15,000km a year, off-peak home charging can save well over $1,500 a year versus petrol — more if you charge from solar. That’s before you factor in lower EV servicing costs (no oil changes, fewer moving parts).
Why a home charger is the key to cheap running costs
Here’s the part that matters for the install decision: the cheap rates above — off-peak and solar — are only available at home. Public charging is convenient on road trips but is the most expensive way to charge. Without a home charger you’re either trickling power through a slow plug-in lead or paying public rates. A proper 7kW home charger (from $990) is what lets you charge overnight on cheap power and wake up full every morning. It typically pays for itself through charging savings within a couple of years.
Squeeze running costs even lower
- Get on an off-peak or EV tariff. Ask your retailer about controlled-load or time-of-use plans and schedule charging overnight. A smart charger automates this.
- Charge from solar. If you have panels, a solar-aware charger like a Zappi charges from surplus solar — see our solar EV charging guide.
- Charge to ~80% for daily use. Better for the battery and usually enough for normal driving.
- Use public fast charging only when travelling. Treat it as the convenience option, not your default.
What about the electricity bill impact?
Adding an EV does increase your home electricity use, but at off-peak rates the added cost is modest — and far less than the petrol you stop buying. Many North Brisbane households find that shifting charging to overnight, and topping up from solar on weekends, keeps the bill impact small while eliminating most of their fuel spend. A smart charger that schedules to the cheapest window does this automatically.
Want help setting up the cheapest charging for your home and tariff? Call 0474 207 609 or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Charging an EV at home in Brisbane costs roughly $3 to $5 per 100km on an off-peak electricity tariff, or close to free from surplus rooftop solar. On a standard general-usage tariff it’s around $5 to $6 per 100km. A typical EV uses about 15 to 18 kWh per 100km, so your exact cost depends on your electricity rate and when you charge.
Yes, significantly. A petrol car using 8L/100km at about $2 per litre costs around $16 per 100km in fuel, while home charging an EV on an off-peak tariff costs about $3 to $5 per 100km, and solar charging is close to free. For a household driving 15,000km a year, home charging can save well over $1,500 annually versus petrol, plus lower servicing costs.
Much cheaper. Home charging on an off-peak tariff is around $3 to $5 per 100km, whereas public DC fast chargers cost about $10 to $15 per 100km. Public charging is convenient for road trips but is the most expensive way to charge. A home charger lets you use cheap overnight and solar power for everyday driving.
Charge overnight on an off-peak or EV tariff, charge from surplus rooftop solar with a solar-aware charger, charge to around 80% for daily use, and reserve public fast charging for travel only. A smart home charger can automatically schedule charging to the cheapest time window and prioritise solar, doing the work for you.
Book your EV charger installation in North Brisbane
Connex Electrical installs smart EV chargers that charge on the cheapest power — off-peak and solar — across North Brisbane and Moreton Bay. Fixed price quoted in writing. QLD Electrical Contractor Licence #92217, $20M public liability, 5.0★ rated with 513 Google reviews. Call 0474 207 609 or see our EV charger installation North Brisbane service page.
Sources & references
- Energex — residential and controlled-load tariff information
- Typical EV energy consumption 15–18 kWh/100km (manufacturer data)
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules