When considering the purchase of an electric vehicle, one problem you will need to solve is ‘how will I charge the EV’. For most EV owners it is beneficial of having an EV Charger installed in their garage or driveway.
This article considers some of the information you will need to make a smart decision and provides access to the best installers in Melbourne to provide you with a quote.
Benefits of Installing an EV Charger in your Home
There is a cost involved in getting a fast charger installed in your home. If you have a power socket in your parking bay, there might be a cheaper option to use a trickle charging cable that comes with the vehicle. Below we talk to some of the key benefits of a level 2 EV charger (read our explanation of different types of chargers)
- Faster Charging. The trickle charger that comes with your car will typically charge at 6 amps to 10 amps while a level 2 fast charger will charge at up to 32 amps. The trickle charger will add 7km to 10km of range to your car per hour while a fast charger will add closer to 40km to 50km per hour for single phase or up to 150km per hour in 3 phase. If your EV battery is close to empty it can take 2-3 days for a trickle charger to get you back to full.
- Cheaper Charging Costs: Level 2 EV Chargers are usually smart devices that can be managed through an accompanying app. The charger can be programmed to charge at on your cheapest electricity tariff or even integrated with your solar system so that it only charges when surplus solar power is available. This can add up to $100s of benefits per year.
- Convenience: With a wall-mounted charger the tethered cable can be waiting there to plug into your car as you park in your driveway or garage. As you will likely be plugging your car in after every trip making it as easy as possible to connect your vehicle has value.
We believe these are the main benefits, but there are more depending on your circumstances. These benefits need to be weighed against the cost of installing an EV Charger which are considered below.
Costs to Install a Home EV Charger in Melbourne
When it comes to installing a single AC electric vehicle charger in Melbourne, installation costs can range between $500 to $2,000 excluding the cost of the EV charger. Most EV Chargers themselves cost between $1,200 to $3,000.
The installation cost of EV Chargers depend on factors such as:
- Distance from the EV charge point to your main switchboard and cable pathway
- Indoor or outdoor installation
- Capabilities of the EV charger being installed (solar monitoring, load balancing, 3 phase etc.)
- If you are in a regional area then there may be travel costs required
There are more factors to consider if you are looking to install an EV charger in a commercial setting or in an apartment building.
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EV Charger Grants in Melbourne, Australia
There are no state wide grants for residential EV Charger installations in Melbourne.
The now closed Zero Emissions Vehicle Emerging Technologies (ZEVET) initiative providing funding to Jet Charge, Intellihub and Myenergi to develop and install a range of different public and private EV charging solutions.
The project encompassed:
- Funding for 4 distinct grant projects
- A total of $2.2 million allocated in grant funding
Grants and incentives for EVs are currently being discussed at various levels of government so we encourage you to do your own research including with your local council to see what support is available for EV Charging in your area.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge an EV in Melbourne
| Car | Battery Capacity | Off Peak Electricity Rate | Total Cost to Charge EV | Range (WLTP) | Cost per 100km | Annual Cost |
| Tesla Model 3 (RWD) | 57.5 kWh | 18c | $10.35 | 513km | $2.02 | $268.66 |
| BYD Atto 3 (Std range) | 49.9 kWh | 18c | $8.98 | 345km | $2.60 | $345.80 |
| Hyundai Ioniq (Std range) | 54.0 kWh | 18c | $9.72 | 384km | $2.53 | $336.49 |
Assumptions:
- Based on the nameplate range advertised for the vehicle
- Charging the vehicle from 0-100%
- The off-peak electricity rate is taken from the most attractive plans on compare.energy.vic.gov.au
- 13,300 km driven per year
EV Charger Installers in Melbourne
Finding a trustworthy installer is always a challenge when getting work done on your house. It is important to find an electrician that has experience with the brand of EV Charger you are seeking to install, or is experienced enough to advise you on the best EV Charger for your car and preferences.
Solar Choice has vetted a trusted network of EV charger installers throughout Melbourne and have built a database of their quote information for different EV Charging solutions.
To compare the options online and get final quotes tailored to your home, follow the steps in the link below.
Compare EV Charger quotes from local electricians
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EV Apartment Charging in Melbourne
If you live in apartment building, then there are different challenges to overcome to get an EV Charger installed in your parking bay. Solar Choice is an expert in these projects having assessed carparks in residential strata buildings all across Australia.
We’ve crafted a comprehensive guide on how to get EV chargers installed at your apartment complex.
This guide addresses common challenges and provides actionable advice for navigating discussions with body corporates and property managers, ensuring that EV charging is accessible to all.
Conclusion
There are clear benefits of installing a EV Charger at your home. The cost savings over time will pay for upfront costs of having an EV Charger installed.
For those contemplating the addition of an EV charger at home or those who prefer the convenience of public charging stations, Melbourne is becoming increasingly supportive of EV owners.
There are many experienced electricians who are well-placed to assist home owners put in the perfect solution for their needs.
Compare quotes for EV Chargers online now
Compare options and get tailored quotes for your home
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