Charging woes: Is it really a hassle to charge an EV? 

You would be remiss to join the crowds purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) without knowing you can easily charge it.

But given that EVs made up 8 per cent of all new cars in Australia in 2023 – increasing at the rate of 120 per cent on the year before – that’s a lot of people confident about going the distance. So how does EV charging work and how easy is it really?

Different charging options: How do they impact charge time?

Level 1 – portable charging

Plugging your EV into any normal power point requires no charger installation. It uses your home’s existing alternating current (AC) power. It’s the most portable but slowest charging option. Each hour of charging typically adds only 10 kilometres to your range.

Level 1 charging can be suitable for many people “topping up” overnight after your daily commute. But using this portable charger wouldn’t be workable on a longer road trip due to the full recharge time (which can be as long as 35 hours).

Although you can connect your EV to any power point, it must be close by. It’s not safe to use an extension cord, as it may overheat or result in an electric shock.

Level 2 – AC wall charger

Faster charging at home or work, level 2 is possible by installing an AC wall charger box. The charge time can vary depending on the power rating of the unit, but you’ll typically get 40 kilometres of range per 1 hour of charge time from a 7.4kW unit. This is more than enough for the typical commuter.

Wall chargers can run on single-phase or three-phase AC. The advantage of three-phase AC is three times faster charging. But it will likely cost more to install as around 90 per cent of homes only have single-phase power. So you’ll first need to arrange to connect your home to three-phase AC.

Another factor determining how fast your EV charges on AC power is that your car stores and uses direct current (DC) rather than AC electricity. When EVs convert the AC into DC, different vehicles have different constraints on the rates at which they charge.

Installing any charger in an apartment complex can be trickier than in a standalone home. Fortunately, new apartment buildings are increasingly being built "EV ready".

Level 3 – DC charging

With maximum juice in minimum time, DC chargers are perfect on road trips. Just 10 minutes on a DC fast charger will give you around 65 kilometres of range. You’ll generally find them in shopping centres and carparks rather than in homes.

How often do EV drivers charge their vehicles?

For the average commuter travelling a total of 32 kilometres to and from work each day, a weekly charge is all you need. It’s better for your battery if you recharge when needed rather than daily. Remember the old days when mobile phones didn’t need charging every day, but once a week? EV charging is like that.

Even the average EV has a roughly 400 kilometre range when fully charged (some go much further). Plus, unlike in a petrol-powered car, you can leave home charged up and ready for a long trip – no need to track down a petrol station first.

How much does a charge typically cost?

To save money charging at home, you can schedule it for times when electricity is cheapest. If your electricity plan has an off-peak rate, that’s the time to plug in your vehicle. Or if you have solar panels, charge when the sun is shining. You should be able to set the time your EV charges through the car’s app or a smart charger.

At public stations, recharging may be free, or paid for via an app or credit card.

Compared to a petrol car, the cost of charging an EV is significantly lower than refuelling. Depending on how you choose to charge your car, the cost can be as little as the equivalent of $0.20/L. Compare that to an average $1.90/L for a petrol car. Calculate the cost of a full charge using this government calculator or read more about the long-term savings of an EV.

The Australian charging landscape

As at January 2024, the total number of car charging sites in Australia was 840. According to the Public Fast Charger Network Report, 870 new charging sites could be expected during the year, bringing the national total to more than 1,600 by the end of 2024. As you’d expect based on their population size, New South Wales and Victoria are the states with the greatest number of EV charging stations.

Worried about how ‘green’ the electricity used to run a public charger is? In Australia, using electricity from the grid to run your EV produces about 11 kilograms of carbon dioxide to travel 100 kilometres according to the Electric Vehicle Council.

This is significantly less than the approximate 17 kilograms produced by a petrol car over the same distance. Of course, using solar power to charge your vehicle produces no emissions.

How CommBank can help

Considering an EV that you can charge at home? CommBank can help with the upfront cost of the vehicle or charge upgrade. Personal Loans are available which provide a lower interest rate for a range of energy-efficient products (including electric or hybrid cars, and EV charging stations) that can help reduce your energy expenses over the long term.

While there are a number of convenient and cost-effective charging options for your EV, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and driving habits before you commit.

Find out more about the CommBank Personal Loan for eligible energy-efficient products.