Electric Vehicle Chargers in Australia

It’s safe to say that buying electric cars is more than just a fad. Since its introduction to the Australian market, electric vehicles (EVs) have been increasingly popular. With the exponential growth of EVs comes the infrastructure to support it. Charging stations have been and are continuing to be built all over Australia.

EV charging locations in Australia: What's happening now?

According to the latest reports from the Electric Vehicle Commission, there are over 180,000 electric vehicles on the road. This is a massive 120% increase compared to 2022 numbers. Electric vehicles now make up around 8.5% of Australia's total car market share compared to 2022's 3.8%.

It's no wonder then that EV charging infrastructures are working to keep pace. More and more charging stations are being built nationwide to match the rapidly growing demand.

There are over 2,700 EV charging locations in Australia

The 2023 Industry Recap from the Electric Vehicle Commission reports a considerable increase in DC charging locations in the past year. The number of charging locations has almost doubled to an estimated 812 in 2023 from 464 in 2022.

Around 130 of the 348 new DC charging locations offer ultra-fast charging. These charging stations can support vehicle charging at 100kW or above. Overall, there are 583 fast charger locations and 229 ultra-fast charger locations. More ultra-fast charging locations are expected to be deployed this year.

The latest report doesn't include regular public charging under 24kW. However, in the 2022 Industry Recap, the Electric Vehicle Council says there were 1,928 regular charging stations in Australia. In the 2022 figures, the total number of charging locations was 2,392. Adding this to the most recent data, there could be an estimated 2,740 charging stations all over Australia as of 2023.

Fast and ultra-fast charging stations state-by-state

Each charging location contains multiple charging stations, bays, or points. One charging location is capable of charging several electric vehicles at once.

Source: Australian EV Industry Recap 2023, Electric Vehicle Commission

New South Wales has the most fast and ultra-fast charger stations with 229 and the Northern Territory has the least with 6. Some states and territories may have more than others. It's important to note that more urban areas may have significantly more EV charging locations than rural areas.

Over 870 new EV fast charger stations are estimated by the end of 2024

Clean-tech consulting firm, Next System, released an analysis forecasting a bigger surge in EV fast-charging sites for 2024. The company's founder Daniel Bleakley said there were plans for 870 new charging sites in 470 locations across the country. The findings were based on historical data of network operators.

The rollout of fast charging and ultra-fast charging stations in Australia is gaining speed mostly in cities. But soon, motorists could see more charging stations in regional areas thanks to the efforts of federal, state, and local governments as well as private investments and partnerships.

Recently, the NRMA received funding from the government to build 130 fast-charging sites across the national highway network. The goal is to provide regional communities with access to fast EV chargers.

Understanding EV charging stations

Here's a quick overview of the different charging stations and where you can find them.

Types of charging stations

Electric vehicle charging stations in Australia have three levels or modes. Each has a corresponding voltage and charging speed. Here's an overview of the main types of charging stations:

• Level 1/Model 2: This is also known as a slow charging station and could add 10km to 20km of range per hour. It's usually used with a specialised cable supplied with the electric car. This type of charging station can be seen in standalone homes. It's ideal for topping up your EV but won't fully recharge it overnight.

• Level 2/Mode 3: This is classified as fast charging with a dedicated AC EV charger. Charging with a level 2 station could add 40km to 100km of range per hour; it varies per electric vehicle. It can deliver a full recharge when left overnight. These charging stations can be found in residences, apartment complexes, hotels, and workplaces.

• Level 3/Mode 4: These charging stations are considered rapid charging. They are a dedicated DC EV charger with power levels ranging from 25kW to 350kW. These are mostly found in roadside charging stations or commercial premises. Ultra-fast charging stations can fully recharge some electric cars in 15 minutes or less.

Charging times also depend on the kind of electric vehicle you own. Smaller electric vehicles like sedans and hatchbacks charge quicker than bigger ones like SUVs and vans regardless of the charging station.

Charging station networks in Australia

Motorists have a lot of options when it comes to where they can charge their electric vehicles. Here are the major charging networks in Australia and where they're located:

• Tesla Supercharger Station - Tesla has over 60 charging locations across New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory.

• BP Pulse - BP Charging Stations has around 15 locations in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.

• AMP Charge - With over five locations, Ampol Charging Stations can be found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

• Evie Networks - The second largest EV charging network in the country with over 200 stations. Found in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia

• Charge Fox Charging Station - You can find the 450 Charge Fox stations across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.

• NRMA Charging Station - These charging stations can be found on major roads in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

• Jolt - This charging network has around 35 stations in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

• Charging point - There are Charging point stations in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

The charging stations range from regular to ultra-fast charging. More populated cities typically have more fast and ultra-fast charging stations on major roads. You can find the nearest online using websites like Plugshare

The cost of EV charging in Australia

Charging fees vary depending on the supplier, location, electric vehicle, and duration. Usually, EV charging can cost around $0.50/kWh at DC charging stations.

AC Charging Stations

AC charging stations have a power of 2.3kW to 22kW. There are free AC charging stations, but paid ones cost around $0.40 to $0.70 per kWh. These charging stations are usually found in car parks or shopping centres and are great for a quick top-up.

DC Charging Stations

DC fast chargers are becoming more common in Australia. These have power of around 50kW to 300kW and cost roughly $0.60 to $1.00 per kWh. Although a bit more expensive than the AC charging station, they offer faster charging times. Most charging networks like Tesla, Chargefox, Evie Networks, and NRMA networks offer DC fast charging stations.

Home charging cost

Charging at home is considered the cheaper option than going to charging stations. It all depends on the average electricity costs in your area.

Even if home charging costs less per kWh, you need to include upfront installation costs when considering affordability. Wall chargers typically cost between $550 to $2,125 depending on the brand.

If you're installing a level 1 charging station at home, you can use the standard outlet within the house. However, if you don't have any outlets in your garage, you'll need to get one installed which could cost around $200 to $1,000.

A level 2 charging station, on the other hand, could cost somewhere from $600 to $2,500 plus an installation fee of $500 to $1,500. This type of charging station is more powerful and can recharge your electric vehicle much faster.

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