Start enjoying the benefits of green mobility

There are lots of options for charging an EV in Australia.

• Level 1: Standard Power Point (240V)

  • Uses a normal household socket.

  • Adds about 10–15 km of range per hour.

  • Best for low-mileage drivers or overnight top-ups.

  • Downside: Very slow for full-time driving — a 60kWh battery (e.g., Tesla Model Y) can take 30+ hours to charge from empty.

• Level 2: Dedicated Home Charger (7kW–22kW)

  • Installed by an electrician.

  • A typical 60kWh battery charges in 4–10 hours — perfect for overnight.

  • Can use EV electricity plans to take advantage of cheaper off-peak rates.

  • Cost to install at home: approximately $1,000–$2,500 including hardware and installation.

• Level 3: DC Fast Charger

  • Found at Public charging stations and places like shopping centres.

  • Charge in 20–30 minutes.

  • Great for quick top-ups, but not as cost-effective for daily use.

Approximate times vary by battery and charger: home 7 kW wallbox ~9 hours for a 60 kWh battery; 11kW charger ~5.5 hours; 22kW charger ~3 hours - public rapid 50 kW ~1 hour; ultra‑rapid 150 - 350 kW can add significant range in ~15 - 20 minutes on compatible models.

Most EVs include a Type 2 cable (Mennekes charger), compatible with most charging stations in Australia. This supports both single-phase and three-phase AC charging. Many also come with a Combined Charging System and CCS Combo 2 (CCS2) plug which is compatible with a Type 2 socket but also has two extra pins for DC (fast and Ultra fast) public charging.

Charging an EV can range in price but can be done extremely cost effectively if charging at home. Charging costs are based on kWh (a unit of energy). Home tariffs (per‑kWh) are usually lowest. Off peak rates can be as low as $0.08 per kWh for EV plans (meaning you can fully charge a 60kWh battery for around $5; public rapid charging costs more and varies by provider and often time of day. Some sites offer free or discounted charging (e.g., workplaces/supermarkets). Uber’s EV programmes (e.g., bp pulse) may reduce costs with charging credits.

Charging an EV is typically cheaper than filling up with petrol/diesel.

• Charging costs are based on kWh (a unit of energy). Costs for charging a 60kWh battery could range from around $5 if using off peak rates at home (based on rate of $0.08 per kWh) through to around $36 for charging at a fast public charger (based on $0.60 per kWh); Based on electric consumption of 17kWh per 100km the weekly cost of travelling 1000km would be $13.60 to $102 based on these costs.

• Both at home and public rapid charging costs vary by provider and often time of day. Some sites offer free or discounted charging (e.g., workplaces/supermarkets). Uber’s EV programmes (e.g., bp pulse) may reduce costs with charging credits.

• Petrol and Diesel costs also vary but based on $1.90/L and fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km a petrol vehicle would cost $161.50 per 1000km to refuel.

It’s normal to feel anxious about EV range, especially if you’re new to electric cars. Here’s what to do if you’re worried about running out of charge:

• Plan ahead with charging apps – Use an EV charging locator app to see charging stations near you. Save the closest ones to your regular routes.

• Top up during breaks – Whenever you stop for 30 minutes or more, plug in your car to add extra range.

• Monitor your range – Most EVs show how many kilometres of charge you’ll have left at the end of your trip. For example, the Polestar 2 updates you on current and predicted range in real time.

• Have a backup plan – If your battery gets low, make sure you know the location of the nearest charger so you can get there without stress.

• Roadside assistance is included – If you do run out of charge before reaching a station, Splend’s roadside assistance has you covered. Call 1800 775 363, ask for roadside support, and we’ll get you moving again.

Typically Uber Green; some models also qualify for Uber Comfort Electric which is an EV only category. Vehicles may also be eligible for other Uber categories such as Uber Premier, Uber XL, Uber Max and Uber Comfort depending on vehicle specifications. Check Uber’s current requirements for your model.

Rarely. Most manufacturers provide 8‑year battery warranties. Capacity loss is gradual; replacements are uncommon within a vehicle’s typical ownership period.

EVs have fewer moving parts and typically lower maintenance costs. Splend has one of the largest fleets of EVs in Australia. We have many articles on our blog with information on driving EVs for rideshare. If you would like further information or to speak to a Splend EV expert call 1800 775 363.

Here’s a simple comparison, based on a weekly travel distance of 1000 km, using national average fuel and electric charging prices as of September 2025:

• Cost of petrol for petrol vehicle with fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km: $161.50 per week (@ $1.90 per litre)

• Cost of charging an EV using only fast public charging: $110.50 per week (@ $0.65 per kWh)

• Cost of charging an EV using at home charging, with no EV energy plan or off-peak charging routine: $51 per week (@ $0.30 per kWh)

• Cost of charging an EV using at home charging, with an EV energy planand off-peak charging routine: $13.60 per week (@ $0.08 per kWh)