Of course that depends on where you live and the capacity of the vehicle’s batteries. For example, the average price for electricity per kilo Watt hour in Australia is about $0.25 and it takes approximately 18 kWh to travel 100kms, so it will cost approximately $4.50 in electricity charges to travel 100kms. The difference between peak and off-peak rates should be considered e.g. in Victoria peak is around 50c/kWh whereas off peak is around 21c/kWh.
In comparison, the average petrol car in Australia uses 11.1 litres of fuel to travel 100kms (Aus. Bureau of Statistics). That’s a cost of $16.65 to travel 100kms at $1.50 per litre. Even a very efficient diesel vehicle (5 litres per 100kms) will cost $7.50 (note that manufacturer claims of fuel efficiency have been subject to scrutiny in recent times as real world driving tends to use considerably more fuel). See our calculator to work out how much you could save on fuel costs by switching to an EV.
I am an AMERICAN living in CALIFORNIA I have a simple question or two and want simple, straight forward answers in AMERICAN not British. How much would it cost me to fully charge the battery on an AMERICAN model Nissan Leaf? Also how long will it take on a standard home charger? AND
Why isn’t the information given in AMERICAN units here in AMERICA.
For your information this is an Australian website.
OMG 🤠🤠
Thank you for the very simple explanation. It is much appreciated.
Hi, are the prices listed for the public EV stations or for the home socket in the garage?
The prices listed are for home charging Julie. The price for EV charge stations varies – in Australia it is around $0.40 / $0.45 per kWh but is sometimes more expensive – sometimes it’s free!
No comment on the difference between peak and off peak power costs for home charging ? My peak rate in Vic is 50c/kwh, off peak is 21c/kwh.
Good call John – have updated the FAQ
What is the expected cost of recharging per KWh in areas further than 500 km from major cities? Following your parameters it appears that anything over $0.60 to $0.70 per KWh in the bush would make your average electric vehicle more expensive to run than a similar petrol vehicle (8 L’s per 100 km at $1.50 per litre.)
Yes – that could be true Norman. Where exactly in the bush do they pay those prices? I’ve had a look around and can’t find anyplace higher than $0.49 but maybe you’ve found some place where the price is the amount you state. But the running costs are not of course simply based on fuel. There’s also maintenance – at least two services a year with a petrol/diesel – with electrics that’s zero. No brake pads to replace either as Regenerative braking means the brake pads in modern electrics are good for the life of the car.
I pay around $45-$50 a fortnight to fill up my 45 litre car. How much would I be saving?
You’re savings Charles will be approximately two thirds of what you pay for petrol or diesel – so expect to save around $35 a fortnight. You can work out exactly how much you’ll save with our calculator if you know the local price of electricity – click here for the Calculator page https://myelectriccar.com.au/calculator/
My Nissan Leaf (40Kw model) is running on average at 14.2Kw.hr/100 Km. My off peak power rate (AGL electric car special tariff) is 19c. , equating to about $2.70/100Km. My first service is at 20,000 Km, the second at 100,000. Brake pads and disk rotors expected to last the life of the car! How much does it cost to service a fossil car in the first 100,000km? I suspect you should add at least another $3-4 per 100 Km. just for servicing costs.
I heard recently that NSW Government is considering a charge of 2.5 Cents per Kilometer on electric vehicles, to replace (fossil) fuel excise that they will miss out on. So that would add $2.50 per hundred Km. But still a lot less than petrol. If only we could be confident that the various Governments could guarantee that they can supply enough electricity to keep all the (expected ) EV’s running.
That’s right Chris – the NSW government will introduce a Road User Charge of 2.5cents per km but unlike the Victorian government which has introduced it already, NSW EV owners won’t be slugged with the RUC till:
1 July 2027 or when EVs make up at least 30% of new car sales, at which time a road user charge will also be introduced.
They have had the foresight unlike their Vic equivalent to delay the RUC till EVs are well established.