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Getting the most out of your EV
Getting the most out of your EV
By considering when and how you charge your EV, you can maximise your savings, while contributing to Australia’s sustainable future.

What makes an EV an EV?

Let’s start with the basics to get an understanding of how EVs are different, and what types exist.

What’s an EV?

An Electric Vehicle (EV) is a type of vehicle that is powered by an electric motor instead of a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE). EVs use electricity stored in a battery to power the motor, which can be recharged by plugging the vehicle into an external power source, such as a charging station or a home power outlet.

There are two main types of EVs:

Battery Electric Vehicles
Referred to as BEVs, these are fully electric vehicles that rely solely on a battery to run.
Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
These have both an electric motor and a traditional petrol engine. PHEVs can run on electricity for a limited range and then switch to petrol once the battery is depleted.

What are the benefits of an EV?

Environmental Benefits
EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they significantly reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases.
Energy Efficiency
EVs convert over 77 per cent of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels. Conventional gasoline vehicles only convert between 12– 30 per cent of the energy stored in gasoline to power at the wheels.
Cost Savings
EVs are significantly cheaper to run, including fuel savings of up to 70% and savings in maintenance costs of around 40% compared to traditional petrol cars.
Quieter Operation
Electric vehicles are quieter, smoother, and cleaner than the standard petrol and diesel car.

How to maximise your EV charging

As EV’s are powered by an electric motor, knowing when and how to charge them are key to maximising their benefits.

What is the best way to charge your EV?

There are a few things to consider when deciding when and how to charge your EV.

Time of Use tariffs
If you are on a time-of-use plan with your retailer, charging during off peak hours will save you money. Find more information on time of use here.
Solar Power
Solar production peaks in the middle of the day. If you’ve got solar, by charging during this period, you’re able to use your own solar electricity to charge your car.
Your Charger
The type of charger you have will also impact how and when you charge. Chargers come in three levels each with their own considerations which you can read about here.
Impacts on the Network
If you're on a time of use plan, charging during off-peak hours can help reduce your impact on the network and can therefore be cheaper. When more people spread their usage over the day, it can reduce the cost of electricity for everyone.

What’s smart charging?

Installing a smart charger in your home can give you more control over how you charge. Smart chargers are connected via WiFi and can often be controlled through an app or web portal.

Depending on the kind of smart charger, common benefits can include:

  • Programming charging times most convenient for you (like off-peak or when solar is available)
  • Receive real-time charging information about your car
  • Improved battery health by avoiding excessive fast charging or unnecessarily charging to 100%
  • Increased safety through automatic shutoff, fault detection and real-time monitoring of temperature or voltage.

How else can you save more on your electricity bill?

Along with timing and power supply there are several other ways you can save on your electricity bill through your retailer.

Controlled Load Tariffs
Controlled loads are run on separate wiring and don’t need a constant power supply. Meaning electricity can be supplied for a limited number of hours each day at a very low cost.
EV Tariffs
Some retailers have started introducing EV tariffs for owners to consider switching to if they own an EV and have suitable charging equipment. These tariffs vary in conditions from offering certain times of day for free charging to reduced pricing when charging your EV - it’s important to talk to your retailer about how their EV tariff is structured.

What public infrastructure is available to support your EV usage?

Public EV chargers are constantly being built across our network. They’re a convenient way to charge your EV when you’re on-the-go.

Similar to petrol stations, the cost for charging your EV will vary depending on the chargers you go to and the retailer that operates them. You will also have to consider the level of charger available in public and weigh up the cost against the time it takes to charge your EV. We are aiming to install 11,000 public kerbside EV chargers on Ausgrid assets by 2030. These chargers will allow approximately 800,000 customers with limited opportunities to install their own EV charging systems access to charging points.

EV Charging Map

Finding public charger stations can be done using online communities like PlugShare

Is the grid ready for an EV future?


There’s no question that supporting the transition to EVs is a big undertaking. That said, our grid is ready to handle the current demand. Ausgrid is committed to a reliable, affordable energy network, meaning we are continually making upgrades to meet the growing demands of the future.

How your charging choices can help?

You can help make this transition easier, faster and cheaper by adopting behaviours like using your excess solar when you can or charging in the middle of the night when there’s less pressure on the grid. By doing so, you’re helping us maximise the efficiency of the grid, and avoid unnecessary expansion, keeping energy prices affordable for everyone.

What are some future innovations?

Ausgrid are trialling alternative pricing models such as a Flexible Load Tariff that looks at offering lower rates for loads such as EV charging. It would also include twenty ‘Critical Peak’ events across the year that increase pricing for 2 hours. These trials will look at how pricing can influence customer behaviour and maintain a more affordable network.
​We’re also investigating Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, an innovation that will allow EV owners to use their car’s battery as a power source for their home. V2G is a practical solution leveraging your EV’s battery, so you can cut down on your power bills. You can learn more about V2G here.

Ausgrid and EVs

Thinking of installing EV Charging, or simply want more information on EVs? Visit the EV section for more information on everything EV.

Interested in learning more?

Check out our podcast with Jolt CEO Doug McNamee and Ausgrid Group Executive for Distributed Services Rob Amphlett Lewis as they discuss all things EV charging,

Common questions


  • How much will I save on fuel?

    The average Australian drives around 12,000km per year and spends around $2,500 on petrol. This equates to around $0.20/km. On average, an EV travelling 12,000km each year would cost around $500 to charge which equates to $0.04/km.

     
  • Why are EV’s cheaper to maintain than a fuel car?
    Because EVs have fewer moving parts and less servicing requirements, they have lower running costs than petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicles. Some EV models are estimated to save owners up to $400 every year on maintenance.
  • Will I have to install a charger at home?

    There’s no need to install a charger at home, but it can be beneficial if you choose to. EV’s can be charged using your homes regular power points - just with a slower rate of charge. You can also rely on public charging stations to keep your EV charged.

  • Where can I access public charging stations?
    The Electric Vehicle Council is one of many resources where you can find the nearest charging station or plan a road trip. There’s also a number of online communities, like PlugShare that are constantly updating EV locations across the globe.
     
  • Is it cheaper to charge on public chargers than at home?

    This depends on your tariff with your retailer and what electricity rate you are paying. It will also depend on what public charger you use and how much the provider of that charger has set the price.

  • Are EVs safe to use?

    The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) provides a safety assessment of new cars sold in Australia. These ratings can range from 1 to 5 stars with 5 being the safest. The vast majority of EVs are rated at 5 stars, and in some cases hold the title for the safest vehicles ever tested in their vehicle category.

     
  • Are there any financial incentives to help purchase an EV?

    The Australian Government has introduced an electric car discount program to bring down the costs of EVs, saving you up to $5,000 a year. 

  • Do I need solar panels to make the most of an EV?

    There is no requirement to have solar panels to purchase and charge an EV. However, pairing your EV with solar panels can increase your savings as any solar energy used to charge your EV comes at no additional cost to you.

  • What do I need to know for installation of a charger?

    You will need to confirm your home’s current electricity supply and when the wiring was last updated as this will impact installation. Your EV charging installer can advise on your home’s capacity to deliver the fastest possible charging time. If you live in an apartment or multi-tenanted property, you will need to speak with your strata manager before installation.

Additional resources

If you are looking for some extra information, check out these resources.

transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/electric-vehicles
electricvehiclecouncil.com.au