The Ultimate EV Charging Guide (Australia)
Understanding the different types of chargers, connectors, and speeds can be a bit confusing for new EV owners. So, we have put together this easy-to-understand guide to explain the options and help you select the best home charging solution for your needs.
The charging specifications in this guide refer to Australian spec chargers and power systems.
Charging Types (speeds)
Three main charge types are currently in use; each type has a different charging speed.
Level 1 – Slow Charging
Level 2 – Fast Charging
Level 3 – Rapid Charging
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
| Current | Speed | Power Output | Location | Average total cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | AC | Slow – 10km/h | 2kw – 2.3kw | Any mains outlet | $500 |
| Level 2 | AC | Fast – 40km/h | 7.2kw – 22kw | Home or public | $2000 |
| Level 3 | DC | Rapid – 250km/h+ | 50kw – 350kw | Public only | $50,000 |
Level 1 – AC Slow Charging
A level-1 charger, also known as an ’emergency’ or ‘mobile’ charger, is sometimes included when purchasing a new EV.
When to use a Level 1 charger
A Level 1 charger is best used as a last-resort charging method when no Level 2 charging options are available. A scenario where you may use a Level 1 Charger could be when you travel rural and decide to charge slowly overnight rather than trying to find a Level 2 or Level 3 charger.
Some people may use a Level 1 Charger as their home charging solution; although this will work, it is generally not recommended as a permanent solution.
Level 1 Charging Speed
The speed of a Level 1 charger is the slowest of all charging methods, with an output of around 2kw; an average electric car will charge at a speed of around 10km of range per charging hour. This is why Level 1 Charging is considered an emergency or overnight charging solution only.
Level 1 Charger Location
Level 1 chargers are small; many people keep them onboard with their vehicles.
Installation of a Level 1 Charger
Level 1 chargers plug into a regular 230v wall outlet and do not require any specialised installation. They are similar to a regular battery charger for an e-bike.
Cost of a Level 1 Charger
Level 1 chargers are sometimes included with the vehicle; however, purchasing a level 1 charger usually costs between $300 and $600.
Level 2 – AC Fast Charging
A level 2 charger is a dedicated charger installed by a licensed technician. It charges much faster than a Level 1 charger and is essential for regular, convenient EV charging.
When to use a Level 2 charger
Level 2 chargers are best used as the primary or standard charging method for your EV. They provide a perfect blend of convenience, speed and price to ensure that charging is as quick and easy as possible.
Level 2 Charging Speed
Level 2 chargers can output a maximum of 7.2kW on a single-phase connection or 11kW on a 3-phase connection. Although some will claim an output of 22kW, most EVs in Australia are limited to 11kW.
The maximum speed of a level 2 charger will depend on the vehicle’s ability to accept the charge speed. For example, the Tesla Model 3 can accept up to 11kw of charge speed.
A level 2 charger can provide up to 70km of range per charging hour for an average EV.
Level 2 Charger Location
Level 2 chargers are fixed-position chargers and should be installed near where you will park your EV, such as a garage, carport, or parking space.
You may also find many Level-2 chargers around Australia installed at convenient locations. These are referred to as ‘convenience chargers’ or ‘destination chargers’ and are managed by local councils or private establishments seeking to cater to EV owners.
Some electric vehicles will have destination chargers in their onboard maps, making locating a Level 2 charger easy.
To see all the public Level 2 chargers available in Australia, download PlugShare from the App Store or Google Play Store.
You can go here to see an interactive map of all the public charge locations in Australia.
installation of a Level 2 Charger
Level 2 chargers require a licensed electrician to install as they are hardwired and require a separate circuit to be wired to the meter box. This is due to their high-powered nature. It also means they are the safest option for regular, hassle-free home charging.
Cost of a Level 2 Charger
There are many different types of level 2 chargers available, and the cost will depend on the degree of sophistication of the unit. An entry-level charger will cost around $800, and a more sophisticated unit will cost around $2500.
The installation cost of a level 2 wall charger in Melbourne starts at $600 and goes up from there, depending on the complexity of the installation.
Level 3 – DC Rapid Charging
A level 3 charger may also be referred to as a “Supercharger”, “High-Speed Chrager”, or “Rapid-Charger”. These are the highest-speed chargers currently available for electric cars.
They use direct current (DC) for their charging architecture and are very sophisticated in design. Because of this, Level-3 chargers are costly to install and are generally only available as public infrastructure.
When to use a Level 3 charger
Level 3 chargers are used for road trips or interstate driving. This is why you will see many Level-3 chargers on popular long-distance routes as it will allow an EV driver to travel long distances without needing overnight charging.
If you cannot charge at home, using level 3 chargers will be your best option, as they are much quicker than level 2.
Level 3 chargers are the most expensive way to recharge your EV; the convenience fee is built into the price. For comparison, in Melbourne, where the average electricity cost is 25c per kWh, a level 3 charger will cost around 70c per kWh.
Level 3 Charging Speed
Level-3 chargers can provide anywhere from 25kw to 350kw of charge power; however, the main limitation will be the vehicle’s ability to accept the charge speed.
A Level-3 charger can charge an average EV from 20-80% in less than 30 minutes. Tesla’s Superchargers are renowned for charging speeds up to 850km/h. With speeds like this, a 5-minute visit to a Supercharger can provide up to 70km of driving range.
Location of Level 3 Chargers
Level-3 chargers are generally located in public, high-traffic locations. Most new electric cars have an inbuilt feature within the maps that allows you to navigate to the nearest public charging station, or they will factor in a charging stop when entering a distance where charging is required.
The map below shows the location of every public charge station in Australia, its speed, and the types of connectors used.
installation of Level 3 Chargers
Level-3 chargers are commercial products that require a specialised technician to install. They are highly sophisticated and technical, particularly when it comes to getting power to the unit from the grid. Some companies specialise in selling, installing, and servicing Level-3 chargers.
How much does a level 3 charger cost
As Level-3 chargers are a commercial product, they are not intended to be sold to consumers for home use. The starting price for an independent Level-3 charger is around $10k + installation and can go north of $250k for 350kW ultra-fast chargers.
Charge Connector Plug Types
The charging connector or charging plug is the charger part that physically connects or plugs into the vehicle’s charge socket.
There are two categories of plug types in EV charging,
AC Connectors – Level 1 and Level 2 chargers
DC Connectors – Level 3 chargers
AC Plug Types (Level 1 & Level 2 chargers)
Type 1
These are the earlier connectors, and they are not seen much anymore. They are also known as J1772 or SAE J1772 and are found on vehicles such as the first-generation Nissan Leaf, Holden Volt, and many other early plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs).
Type 2
This connector is used by all modern electric vehicle manufacturers. It is considered the new standard in Australia and some other parts of the world. It is also known as the IEC 62196 or the Mennekes connector.
It is distinguishable by its unique 7-pin design, which allows for 3-phase charging, unlike the type-1 connector.
DC Plug Types (Level 3 chargers)
CCS
CSS, or ‘Combined Charging System,’ is quickly becoming the new standard in DC rapid charging. All new electric cars available in Australia use the CCS standard. It may also be referred to as the ‘CCS combo 2’ connector, as it uses the type 2 connector in conjunction with two extra pins underneath to allow for DC rapid charging.
CHAdeMO
CHAdeMO is one of the earliest rapid charging standards. It can deliver around 150kw of power. Recently, CHAdeMO announced a 3.0 standard that can charge at a whopping 500kw. Many early EVs, particularly from Japan, utilised this standard. However, over the years, CCS has gained in popularity, and many automakers have moved to CCS as the new standard in rapid charging.
Some vehicles in Australia that used this connector were the Mitsubishi i-Miev and the Nissan Leaf (first-generation).
Home Charging
Upon purchasing an electric car, it is highly advised that a Level-2 charger be purchased and installed at home. This will provide the best balance of charging speed and convenience.
The initial investment for a level 2 charger starts at around $1500 to supply and fit the charger. As charging connectors and systems are now standardised, you can likely use the charger with any other upcoming electric cars you may purchase.
Some vehicles may come bundled with a level 2 charger, so it is always best to check with the vehicle manufacturer before purchasing a third-party charger. If one is included with the vehicle, this could save you around $750.
Conclusion
We hope that we have helped clarify some of the confusing terms and options regarding charging your new electric car.
Many electric car owners will use level 2 charging, as it can easily be installed in a regular garage. Level 1 charging should be reserved for emergency use only, while level 3 provides speed and convenience.
Although there are four different connector types, the most common 2 in use today are the Type 2 connector for AC charging and the CCS connector for DC rapid charging. It is great to finally see a standard that electric car manufacturers are conforming to. This will make investing in a quality home EV charger more cost-effective in the long run, as it can be used with most of the upcoming models.
If you are in Melbourne and want a Level 2 charger installed at your house or business, contact us today for a free quote.