Level 1 vs Level 2 Charging
- 1 Level 1 (standard 10A powerpoint): 1.8-2.4kW — adds approximately 10-15km of range per hour. Adequate for PHEVs or low-mileage drivers. No installation cost.
- 2 Level 2 (dedicated 32A circuit, 7.2kW): adds approximately 40-50km range per hour. Charges a 70kWh battery in under 12 hours. Requires licensed electrician installation.
- 3 Level 2 three-phase (11kW or 22kW): fastest home charging — 60-120km range per hour. Requires three-phase power supply at the property (many Australian homes are single-phase only).
Choosing a Charger
- 1 Tethered (cable built in): most convenient — plug in and go
- 2 Untethered (socket type): use your vehicle's charging cable — more flexible if you change vehicles
- 3 Smart charger: connects to Wi-Fi, allows scheduling charging during off-peak tariff hours — pays for itself quickly at time-of-use tariff pricing
- 4 Popular Australian brands: Zappi, Wallbox, Tesla Wall Connector, Evnex, Jet Charge
Maximising Savings
If you have solar panels, a smart EV charger can be programmed to charge when solar excess is available — effectively charging for free. Without solar, schedule overnight charging during off-peak tariff periods (typically 11pm–7am on time-of-use tariffs) at approximately $0.12-0.18/kWh vs $0.35-0.45/kWh during peak periods.
Pro tip: Amber Electric and other dynamic tariff retailers offer EV-specific plans where you can charge when electricity is cheapest — sometimes even when prices go negative during high solar generation periods.
Switchboard Considerations
A 32A dedicated circuit requires a 32A circuit breaker in your switchboard. If your switchboard is full or old, a switchboard upgrade may be needed ($1,500–$3,500) before the charger circuit can be installed. A licensed electrician will assess this as part of the installation quote.
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