What does it actually cost to "fuel" an EV at home versus filling a petrol car in Sydney? Using general 2026 market figures, charging at home works out to roughly a third of the running cost of petrol — and if you charge off-peak or from solar, less again. Here's the maths, so you can run your own numbers.
The EV side: what a "tank" costs at home
A typical EV uses around 16 kWh of electricity per 100km. What that costs depends entirely on when you charge:
- Standard home rate (~30c/kWh): about $4.80 per 100km.
- Off-peak or EV tariff (~10–20c/kWh overnight): about $1.60–$3.20 per 100km.
- From your own excess solar: close to free for the energy you'd otherwise export for a few cents.
The petrol side
A petrol car using about 8L/100km at roughly $2.00/L costs around $16 per 100km. So on a standard home rate the EV is roughly a third of the cost; on an off-peak tariff it's a fifth or less.
What that adds up to in a year
At 15,000km a year, the petrol car costs about $2,400 in fuel. The same distance in an EV is roughly $720 on a standard rate, or around $300–$480 off-peak — a saving of $1,700–$2,100 a year before you count lower servicing. Over the years you own the car, the home charger pays for itself and then some.
These are general market estimates to show the shape of it, not a quote — your real numbers depend on your car, your electricity plan and your driving. The single biggest lever is charging off-peak or from solar, which a smart charger does automatically.
How to get the cheap running cost
The savings above assume you charge at home overnight, which needs a proper wall charger — not a slow power point. A smart charger can be set to charge only in your off-peak window or from surplus solar, and charging an EV from solar goes deeper on that. When you're ready, get a free quote.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home than to buy petrol?
Yes — on general 2026 figures, home charging costs roughly a third of petrol per kilometre at a standard rate, and a fifth or less on an off-peak tariff or from solar. A typical driver saves around $1,700–$2,100 a year in fuel.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home per 100km?
Around $4.80 per 100km at a standard ~30c/kWh rate, about $1.60–$3.20 off-peak, and close to free from your own excess solar — versus roughly $16 per 100km for a petrol car at 8L/100km.
How do I get the cheapest EV charging?
Charge at home overnight on an off-peak or EV tariff, or from surplus solar. A smart charger can schedule this automatically, which is the single biggest saving on home charging.
Want this sorted for your home?
We check every grant you qualify for — free — then install before your car arrives.