EV Range & Charging Cost Calculator
Work out how far your electric car will go, what it costs to charge, and how much you save compared with petrol.
Home charging includes about 10% energy lost while charging. Range is an estimate, real-world range depends on speed, temperature, terrain and air conditioning use.
Printed from ClearCalc (clearcalc.com.au/ev-charging-cost-calculator/). Estimates only, not financial advice.
How EV range is calculated
Range is simply usable battery size ÷ energy use × 100. A car with a 60 kWh battery that uses 15.5 kWh per 100 km can travel about 390 km on a full charge in mixed driving.
Official range figures (WLTP) are measured in lab conditions. Real-world range is usually 10–20% lower, and lower again at highway speeds, in cold weather or when towing. On a road trip most drivers charge between about 10% and 80%, because fast charging slows down above 80%, so the useful distance between stops is around 70% of the full range.
What does it cost to charge an EV?
Charging cost depends on where you charge:
- At home on a normal rate: around 25–40 cents per kWh, roughly $4–$6 per 100 km.
- At home on an EV or off-peak plan: some plans charge 8–15 cents per kWh overnight, cutting the cost to around $1.50–$2.50 per 100 km.
- With your own solar: charging during the day can cost only the feed-in tariff you give up, often a few cents per kWh.
- Public fast chargers: usually 50–75 cents per kWh, around $8–$12 per 100 km. That's still often cheaper than petrol, but not by much.
EV vs petrol running costs
A petrol car using 7.5 L/100km at $1.95 a litre costs about $14.60 per 100 km in fuel. An EV charged mostly at home typically costs a third of that or less. Over 15,000 km a year, the saving is often $1,000–$1,800. EVs also have lower servicing costs, because they have no oil, spark plugs or exhaust system.
Novated leasing an EV
Eligible electric cars under the luxury car tax threshold are exempt from fringe benefits tax when provided through a novated lease. That can make an EV much cheaper than buying with after-tax money. See our novated lease calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How far can an electric car go on one charge?
Most new EVs sold in Australia have a real-world range of roughly 300–550 km in mixed driving. Highway driving, cold weather and towing reduce it.
How much does it cost to fully charge an EV at home?
A 60 kWh battery charged at home at 30c/kWh costs about $20 including charging losses. On an off-peak EV rate of 10c/kWh it costs around $7.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than buy petrol?
Yes, especially when charging at home. Charging at home costs around $2–$6 per 100 km, compared with about $13–$16 per 100 km for a typical petrol car.
Does fast charging damage the battery?
Occasional fast charging is fine. Manufacturers design batteries for it, though relying on it every day may cause slightly faster battery wear over many years.
Official sources used for this calculator include: Australian Energy Regulator – Default Market Offer, Essential Services Commission – Victorian Default Offer, Energy Made Easy (Australian Government). See how we calculate.
Reviewed by the ClearCalc team. Last reviewed October 2026. This calculator gives an estimate for general information only. Check important figures with the relevant government agency or a licensed professional.