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How to charge an electric car at home and how long it can take
Recharging an electric car at home can be convenient and cost effective, but how long it takes depends on the EV, the charger and other factors. Here’s a guide to getting the most out of home charging.
Electric cars are becoming more common on our roads as new brands and more affordable models enter the market.
In 2024, more than 91,000 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and 23,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) were sold in Australia, which means a significant number of Australians are recharging rather than refuelling their cars to achieve the benefits of EV ownership, including lower running costs.
Recharging at home is highly convenient and cost effective. Here’s a guide to charging an EV at home, including the fastest way to charge, what cables are required, and the costs involved.
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Can I plug an EV into a power point at home?
When you buy a new electric vehicle in Australia, it usually – though not always – comes with a standard charging cable that can be plugged into a regular household power point (nominally 230V AC). You simply open the recharging flap on your EV, plug in the main socket (most often this is a universal Type 2 connector) and connect the other end of the cable to the power point.
Known as Level 1, this is the slowest way to charge an EV, based on AC power outputs of about 1.4kW to 2.4kW charging capability. It may be suitable for overnight charging of a plug-in hybrid car with a small battery, but dedicated battery-electric vehicles may need longer to fully recharge their bigger battery.
Using this method, you’ll typically add about 10-12km of driving range per hour, depending on the EV make and model.
Drivers of battery-electric cars travel about 30km a day on average, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). If you’re among those, this type of charging might be all you need on a typical daily basis. It’s cost effective because it shouldn’t require additional installation, however upgrading to a Level 2 AC home charger brings many advantages (see below).
“Recharging an EV using a regular 10-amp 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 Electric Vehicles Product Manager Rohan Smith.
“It’s also a good idea to have a qualified electrician come out and look at your home’s electrical wiring and circuitry to make sure it’s in good condition to handle the load. Using a dedicated circuit for charging is recommended to avoid overloading.”
More: How to plan the best EV road trip routes
What is the quickest way to charge an EV from home?
If you’re investing in an electric car, you could consider installing a dedicated home EV charging unit for faster and more efficient charging.
Known as Level 2, a home charging unit will provide dedicated AC charging for EVs from about 7kW (on single-phase power), up to 22kW (three-phase), which in both cases is much faster than Level 1 (2kW).
Most average Australian residential homes will be connected to single-phase power, leaving three-phase power to those with higher-than-normal power demands. Your switchboard/fuse box should 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 deliver enough for most vehicles’ average daily use in an hour or so, and a full recharge overnight.
The cost of the charger and installation by a licensed electrician will vary according to the unit and installation complexity, such as distance to the switchboard and any upgrades required for your electrical system at home. A budget of around $2000-$2500 should cover the unit and basic installation.
“As well as being faster, dedicated home charging units are designed specifically for EVs and handle the high energy demands of electric vehicles over prolonged periods,” says Smith. “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.
“Many dedicated chargers also come with smart features like timers, smart charging and app connectivity, allowing 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.”
If you live in an apartment block, contact your owners corporation or strata manager to discuss your options for EV charging on the property. Some new apartment complexes have been built with EV charging in mind, so installation of a dedicated charger may be straightforward. Older apartment blocks may require a significant investment to upgrade.
| Type of connection | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Household power point (230V AC) |
1.4kW to 2.4kW |
Generally overnight |
About 10-12km |
|
Home charging unit (single-phase power) |
7kW |
From 1 hour to overnight |
About 35-40km per hour |
|
Home charging unit (three- *Not all EVs in Australia are |
Up to 22kW |
From 1 to 4 hours |
About 50-130km per hour |
* This table is a guide only. Charging times vary depending on the EV's battery capacity and the charger's output.
Charging your EV at home using a dedicated charger is highly convenient, keeping your battery topped up as you go about your day. Image: Garth Oriander
Do I need three-phase power to charge an EV at home?
A three-phase power supply has a higher voltage (typically 415V between phases) and better accommodates higher loads. It enables a home charging unit of up to 22kW to be installed, which in turn allows for the fastest available AC charging at home.
You can expect a 22kW home 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 brought with a 22kW unit justifies the expense over a single-phase 7kW unit,” says Smith.
“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.”
Whether single-phase or three-phase, a qualified professional can help advise on the best EV charging unit for your home. They should also be able to assist with issues such as cables, unit positioning and integration with rooftop solar panels and solar battery systems.
More: How much solar energy do I need to charge my EV?
Are special cables needed with a home charging unit?
A dedicated AC home charger will often come with its own tethered cable and plug to fit into your EV, typically a universal Type 2 connector 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
Do we need two home chargers for two EVs?
If you have more than one EV at home, you might consider whether you can manage to charge both EVs using the one unit or whether it’s worth investing in two separate chargers.
“If your EVs don't need to be charged simultaneously, it might be easy enough to alternate between them,” says Smith. “Some chargers and apps also allow you to schedule charging times, meaning two EVs can be charged efficiently without needing two chargers.
“But if you have two EVs running around during the day or you prefer the convenience of charging them at the same time, having two chargers might be more practical. It ultimately depends on your driving patterns, preferences and your budget.”
In all cases, your home charger supplier and installer should be able to advise on the best set-up for your needs at home.
More: Installing an electric car home charger: what to know
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 enable a driving range of up to 555km, according to Kia. It will cost more using peak rates or could cost only a small amount if drawing from a solar battery storage system.
It 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 or using smart charging features that optimise energy use. Combining with a solar system adds to that.
More: Electric vehicle rebates, discounts and incentives in Australia
