Charging electric vehicles (EVs) at home

For most people, charging your EV at home overnight or during the day will be the cheapest and most convenient way to charge.

By avoiding charging during peak times (typically weekdays between 4pm and 9pm), you can avoid further congestion of the electricity distribution network, which can in turn contribute to lowering the cost of energy for all users.

Read more about the different tariff times.

To make the most of cheaper off-peak pricing, you will need a smart meter and a Time of Use retail electricity tariff that has off-peak and solar sponge pricing.

Some dynamic retail tariffs pass on the wholesale electricity spot price, which can sometimes be negative. This essentially means it is possible that you may be paid to charge your EV battery. Learn more about the different retail tariffs.

Talk to your electricity retailer or refer to the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy website to find out which plan is best for you.

In South Australia, our grid is often powered 100% by solar energy in the middle of the day. Charging your EV when it’s sunny means that you are more likely to be using renewable electricity, even if you don’t have solar panels at home.

The middle of the day will generally also be the cheapest time to charge your battery if your electricity retailer passes on the cheaper network and wholesale electricity price. A smart charger (see below) can make it easy to charge at the cheapest times, and to use renewable energy as much as possible.

The transition to electric vehicles requires a shift in mindset as to when you refuel your car and how long you can expect it to take. Just as you probably don’t wait until your phone battery gets down to 10% before plugging it in, you don’t have to wait until your car battery is empty before charging.

An EV's range (how far it can travel with a fully charged battery) depends on the type of vehicle and its battery capacity. EVs currently on the market in Australia have driving ranges between 200 km and 600 km.

The average South Australian drives 35 kilometres per day. Given this short daily range, most EV owners don't have to plug in every night. This means you can be selective about when and how quickly you charge by waiting for the time of day when you can take advantage of cheaper rates and renewable energy periods.

It may be tempting always to go for the fastest charger, but keep in mind that charging at high speeds may degrade your vehicle's battery more quickly.

A smart Level 2 home charger includes extra features to make it easy to save money and use more renewable energy. By communicating with other energy devices, smart chargers can:

• Manage the time and rate of charging so that they are aligned with cheaper Time of Use tariffs, which can lower your energy bills.
• Minimise charge times.
• Maximise the use of energy from your rooftop solar system.
• Integrate with a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) that coordinates devices like pool pumps, electric hot water and home batteries.
• Enable efficient EV charging that will reduce network costs for all consumers and support South Australia’s renewable goals.

We recommend choosing a charger that has internet connectivity and utilises the internationally adopted Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). Check the product data sheet or consult the manufacturer if you are unsure.