The true cost of public EV charging vs home charging
Public charging is convenient but expensive. Understanding the real cost difference between home and public charging is essential for accurate EV running cost estimates.
Why public charging costs matter
The EV vs petrol cost comparison looks very different depending on where you charge. An EV owner who charges almost entirely at home on a cheap overnight tariff may spend $400 to $600 per year on energy for 15,000 km of driving. One who relies mainly on public DC fast chargers for the same distance may spend $1,400 to $2,000. The gap is significant.
Home charging: the benchmark
Home charging on a standard flat tariff in most countries costs between $0.20 and $0.35 per kWh. On a time-of-use overnight tariff, rates can fall to $0.10 to $0.18 per kWh in some markets. For a car using 18 kWh/100km and covering 15,000 km per year, the annual charging cost at $0.25/kWh is $675.
| Charging type | Typical rate | Annual cost (15,000 km at 18 kWh/100km) |
|---|---|---|
| Home — off-peak tariff | $0.12–$0.18/kWh | $324–$486 |
| Home — standard tariff | $0.22–$0.30/kWh | $594–$810 |
| Public AC (slow) | $0.35–$0.55/kWh | $945–$1,485 |
| Public DC fast charge | $0.55–$0.80/kWh | $1,485–$2,160 |
Pricing structures on public networks
Public charging networks use different pricing models that can make costs difficult to compare. Some charge per kWh (clearest to compare), some charge per minute (disadvantages slower-charging cars), and some charge a session fee plus a per-kWh rate. Always check the pricing structure of the network you plan to use regularly.
The mixed-charging reality
Most EV drivers do most of their charging at home and occasionally use public chargers for longer trips. Selecting 'Mix of both' in our calculator pre-fills a blended rate that reflects this real-world pattern. If you plan to rely heavily on public charging, adjust the electricity rate upward to reflect the network you will use most.
Roaming fees on some charging networks can add $0.10 to $0.20 per kWh on top of the base rate if you are not a member. Check whether a network subscription plan makes financial sense if you use one network frequently.
See how much you could save
Use our free calculator to compare EV vs petrol running costs in under 2 minutes.