Charging speeds at home
| Setup | Typical power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard power point (portable cable) | around 2 kW | Slow; fine for low daily driving |
| Single-phase wallbox | up to about 7 kW | The most common home install |
| Three-phase wallbox | 11–22 kW | Needs three-phase power; many cars accept 11 kW AC at most |
Your car's onboard charger caps the AC charging speed — there's no benefit paying for 22 kW if your car only accepts 7 or 11 kW.
What affects installation cost?
- Distance from the switchboard to where you park, and how the cable is run.
- Switchboard capacity — older boards may need an upgrade or load management.
- Charger features — app control, scheduling, solar-aware charging, OCPP support.
- Apartments — strata approval, metering and shared-load systems.
See our EV charger installation cost guide for indicative ranges.
Charging from solar
If you have solar, a solar-aware charger can soak up spare daytime generation instead of exporting it. This is often one of the cheapest ways to run an EV. Ask whether the charger needs a separate energy meter to do this.
Rebates and incentives
There's no broad federal rebate for home EV chargers. Some states, territories and energy retailers offer programs, loans or EV-specific tariffs from time to time — check the energy.gov.au — Rebates and assistance finder for your area.
Last checked 21 October 2026. Programs change often — always confirm eligibility with the program and your installer.
How to compare EV charger quotes
- The installer's licence and any required accreditation, with numbers you can check.
- An itemised quote: exact brands and model numbers, quantities and what's included.
- Any rebate or certificate discount shown as a separate line, with who claims it.
- Product warranty, performance warranty (if relevant) and the installer's workmanship warranty — in writing.
- Who handles network/connection approvals and compliance certificates.
- Deposit amount, payment schedule and what happens if the job is delayed.
- A licensed electrician and a certificate of electrical compliance on completion.
- Whether load management or a switchboard upgrade is included or extra.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need three-phase power?
No. Most homes charge perfectly well on a 7 kW single-phase charger. Three-phase is useful for faster charging or multiple EVs, if your property already has it.
Can I install a charger in an apartment?
Usually, with strata approval. The building's electrical capacity and metering arrangements matter, so choose an installer with apartment experience.
Is a charger from the car dealer better?
Not necessarily. Most chargers work with most cars. Compare features, warranty and installation quality.