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Electric
How to charge an electric car at home: costs, charging times and tips
Learn how to charge an electric car at home, how long EV charging takes, the difference between standard power points and wall chargers, charging costs, and helpful tips for Australian drivers.
Electric cars are becoming more common on our roads as new brands and more affordable models enter the market. According to the Australian Automobile Association, more than 103,000 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold in the first half of 2026 – roughly the same number sold across the entire 2025 calendar year.
One of the biggest advantages of these vehicles is the convenience of charging at home. Instead of making regular trips to a service station, most EV owners simply plug in overnight and wake up to a fully charged battery.
But how exactly do you charge an electric car at home? Do you need a special charger? And how long does it take to recharge the battery?
Here's what every current or prospective EV owner should know about home charging.
Try RACV’s free electrification calculator to estimate your savings when going electric.
Can you charge an electric car at home?
Yes. Almost every electric car sold in Australia can be charged at home, making it the most convenient and cost-effective charging option for most drivers.
There are two main ways to charge an EV at home:
- a standard household power point
- a dedicated home electric vehicle charger.
The best option depends on how far you drive each day, your home's electrical setup and how quickly you need to recharge.
Charging an EV using a standard household power point
The simplest way to charge an electric car is by plugging it into a regular 230V household power outlet using the portable charging cable supplied with most vehicles. This is known as Level 1 charging or trickle charging.
While it's the slowest charging method, it can be suitable for drivers who:
- travel relatively short distances each day
- don't regularly need to recharge from empty to full
- have a plug-in hybrid car with a small battery rather than a dedicated battery-electric vehicle.
Standard power points can only deliver a maximum of 2.4kW of charging power, typically adding up to 15km of driving range per hour (depending on the vehicle make and model). Since the average Australian driver travels around 33km a day, this could be adequate for supporting your daily driving needs.
"Recharging an EV using a regular power point is definitely possible, but may not be practical if your daily driving needs go beyond short and predictable commutes, or if you have longer trips planned," says RACV Motoring Editor Terry Martin.
If you are using a regular power point, follow the vehicle manufacturer’s charging instructions, avoid extension leads unless specifically approved, and make sure the outlet and portable charging cable are in good condition.
Most EVs come with an appropriate EV charging cable for standard power points, but they can also be purchased at many retailers.
Charging your EV at home using a dedicated EV wall charger is highly convenient.
Charging with a home EV wall charger
Many EV owners choose to install a dedicated home electric vehicle charger, often called a wall box or wall charger, for faster and more efficient charging.
These chargers use a higher-powered electrical circuit and provide Level 2 charging, making them significantly faster than a standard household socket.
A dedicated home electric vehicle charger typically offers several benefits:
- much faster charging
- greater efficiency
- improved safety
- smart scheduling features
- compatibility with solar charging
- remote monitoring through a smartphone app.
For households with two EVs, long daily commutes or frequent regional travel, installing a wall charger can make charging much more convenient.
"As well as being faster, dedicated home electric vehicle chargers are designed specifically for EVs and handle the high energy demands of electric vehicles over prolonged periods," says Martin. "This helps ensure efficient energy transfer and reduces the load on your home's existing electrical system, while safety features like surge protection are built in too."
Martin says many dedicated home electric vehicle chargers also come with smart features such as timers, smart charging and app connectivity, which allow you to optimise charging for off-peak periods or monitor the charging process remotely.
"If you have rooftop solar panels at home, you can often set up the EV charger to only charge when the solar system is generating excess energy, saving on grid electricity use," he says.
More: How to plan for your home to go all-electric
Single-phase EV charger
Most residential wall chargers in Australia deliver between 7kW (on single-phase power) and 22kW (three-phase), although the maximum charging speed also depends on what your vehicle can accept. Your switchboard can help you determine if you have single- or three-phase power: if there is one main switch, you'll have a single-phase connection; three main switches will indicate three-phase.
A single-phase 7kW EV charging unit will add about 35-40km of driving range per hour, depending on the EV. That should provide enough range for most vehicles' average daily use in an hour or so, and allow a full recharge overnight.
Three-phase EV charger
Some homes and EVs can support faster three-phase AC charging, allowing compatible home electric vehicle chargers to deliver up to 22kW. However, the actual charging rate will depend on your EV’s onboard charger and the charging equipment used.
You can expect a 22kW home electric vehicle charger to add about 50-130km of driving range per hour, depending on the EV. This can be useful if you do a lot of driving and need to charge your car quickly during the day.
"Upgrading your home to three-phase power can be expensive, so it's worth considering whether the faster charging speed offered by a 22kW unit justifies the expense over a single-phase 7kW unit," says Martin.
"It's important to note that not all EVs in Australia are compatible with three-phase charging; it depends on the model and its onboard charging system. What's more, some EVs can manage three-phase but their onboard charger might only have a capacity of, say, 11kW, as seen with the Kia EV5 Long Range variants, for example."
How long does it take to charge an electric car at home?
Charging times vary considerably depending on four main factors:
- battery size
- charging power
- the vehicle's maximum charging rate
- how much charge remains in the battery.
Rather than charging from empty to full every time, most owners simply top up the battery as needed.
Many Australians simply plug their vehicle in after work and let it charge overnight, meaning charging speed is not usually an issue unless very high daily mileage is involved.
| Type of connection | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Household power point (230V AC) |
Up to 2.4kW |
10-15km/hour |
20-40+ hours |
|
Home charging unit (single-phase power) |
7kW |
25-50km/hour |
8-12 hours |
|
Home charging unit (three- |
Up to 22kW |
60-120km/hour |
3-8 hours |
This table is a guide only. Charging times vary depending on the EV's battery capacity and the charger's output.
*Not all EVs in Australia are compatible with three-phase charging.
Should you charge your EV every night?
Not necessarily. Unlike filling a petrol tank, EV charging is more flexible. Many owners simply plug in whenever convenient, while others charge only when the battery reaches around 20 to 40 per cent.
Some manufacturers recommend avoiding leaving the battery at 100 per cent for extended periods, particularly if the vehicle won't be driven immediately. For everyday use, many EVs allow owners to set a charging limit of around 80 per cent, which can help support long-term battery health.
Always follow the recommendations provided by your vehicle manufacturer.
Is it safe to charge an electric car in the rain?
Yes. Modern electric vehicles and charging equipment are designed to operate safely outdoors in wet weather. Charging connectors include multiple safety features that prevent electricity from flowing until a secure connection has been established between the charger and the vehicle.
Drivers should still inspect charging cables for damage, avoid using extension leads unless specifically approved by the manufacturer, and ensure charging equipment is installed according to Australian electrical standards.
Can you use solar power to charge your car?
Yes. Home solar systems pair particularly well with electric vehicles.
If your solar panels are generating electricity during the day, charging your EV while the sun is shining can reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the grid.
Some smart wall chargers automatically prioritise excess solar generation, allowing the vehicle to charge using surplus rooftop solar instead of exporting that electricity.
Households with a home battery may also choose to charge their EV overnight using stored solar energy.
Many EVs have apps which you can use to check how their charge is progressing.
Are special cables needed with a home charging unit?
A dedicated home electric vehicle charger will often come with its own tethered cable and plug to fit into your EV. This will typically be a universal Type 2 connector, which is compatible with all new electric cars sold in Australia.
However, untethered options with a socket for removable cables are also available to suit a range of different plugs, including Type 2 and older Type 1.
If you have three-phase power, you'll need to have a compatible connector and cable.
More: Guide to electric vehicle charging, plug types and cables
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
Home EV charging costs vary depending on what vehicle you have, how far you drive each day, how much you pay for electricity and when you charge.
To get an estimate of how much you could save, the Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide Home Charging Calculator is a useful resource.
For example, a Kia EV5 with an 88.1kWh long-range battery can be fully recharged overnight on an off-peak rate (15c/kWh) using a 7kW home charger for about $13. This will provide a driving range of up to 555km, according to Kia. It will cost more using peak rates, but could cost only a small amount if drawing from a solar battery storage system.
This demonstrates how charging at home with a dedicated charger can help save you money in the long run, especially when charging during off-peak hours, using smart charging features that optimise energy use, or combining EV charging with a solar system.
The Victorian Midday Power Saver, starting 1 October 2026, gives EV owners an opportunity to charge their vehicle during a free-power window in the middle of the day.
More: Electric vehicle rebates, discounts and incentives in Australia
Tips for charging your electric car at home
Following a few simple habits can make home charging easier and potentially help extend battery life.
- Install a dedicated home electric vehicle charger if you regularly drive long distances.
- Schedule charging during off-peak electricity periods.
- Sign up to the Victorian Midday Power Saver from 1 October 2026 and take advantage of free power for three hours in the middle of the day.
- Take advantage of rooftop solar during daylight hours.
- Keep charging cables clean and stored safely.
- Follow your manufacturer's recommended battery charging limits.
Home charging makes EV ownership easier
For most Australians, home charging quickly becomes one of the biggest benefits of owning an electric vehicle. Whether you're using a standard household outlet or a dedicated home electric vehicle charger, most daily driving can be replenished while you sleep.
Choosing the right charging setup depends on your driving habits, budget and your home's electrical system. Understanding the different charging options can help you get the most convenience, efficiency and value from your EV.
