So, you’ve got a shiny new electric vehicle and you’re ready to charge it up at home. With so many EV models on Aussie roads now – from BYD and MG to Hyundai, Kia, Polestar, Volvo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, and Audi – figuring out the best home charging setup is a hot topic. Whether you’re driving a budget-friendly BYD Atto 3 or a luxury Porsche Taycan, all EV owners face the same question: “How do I juice up my car in the garage without blowing a fuse – or my budget?”
Fear not, fellow Aussie EV driver! We’ve compiled five home charging options, ranging from the simple “just plug it in, mate” approach to the ultimate high-powered setup. We’ll break down each option’s pros, cons, costs, and installation needs – with a dash of humour to keep things interesting. Let’s dive in!
Important point: If you own a Tesla we have a dedicated article on Tesla charging.
1. The Basic Plug and Play – 10 Amp Standard Power Point
This is the no-frills, entry-level way to charge an EV: just plug your car into a regular household socket. Every Australian home has 10 Amp (10A) standard power points (the same ones you plug your toaster or TV into). Most EVs come with a portable charger (often cheekily called a “granny charger”) that lets you connect to one of these outlets. It’s literally as easy as charging your phone – just slower… way slower. Think of 10A charging as the tortoise of the EV world: reliable and steady, but not winning any speed awards.
Pros:
The biggest perk here is simplicity and cost. If you’ve already got a standard outlet near where you park, you’re in luck – you can start charging without spending a cent on new equipment. 💰 It’s a perfect setup for light EV users. For example, if you drive a BYD EV or an MG EV just to the shops and back each day, trickle charging overnight on a 10A socket can replenish your battery just fine. It’s also universally compatible (every EV can use it) and generates basically no extra installation headaches. Just plug in and grab a cuppa. Easy!
Cons:
The downside is speed (or lack thereof). Charging at 10A (around 2.3 kW of power) is as laid-back as a Sunday arvo nap. In practical terms, you might add only ~10 km of range per hour of charging. For a long-range EV with a big battery (say a Mercedes-Benz EQC or an Audi e-tron SUV), a full charge could take well over 24 hours on a standard outlet. 😲 It’s truly an overnight-and-then-some solution. So if you have a big commute or need quick turnaround charging, the basic power point will feel like watching paint dry. Additionally, drawing maximum power from a regular socket for hours on end can stress your electrical circuit. You’ll want to avoid using that same circuit for other heavy appliances while charging, or you might trip a breaker.
Installation Requirements & Cost:
The good news is that if an existing power point is handy, there’s minimal installation cost – just use the charger that came with your car. However, for safety it’s recommended (and often required) to have an electrician install a dedicated circuit for your EV charging outlet. This means the outlet you use for charging should be wired directly to the switchboard on its own breaker, to avoid overloading any other house circuits. If you need a new power point on a new dedicated circuit the estimated cost is $600 plus GST. In fact, if you are going to run a new circuit we would recommend you consider installing a 15A outlet since it’s a similar effort for more benefit – which brings us to Option 2
Our Take:
If you don’t do many kilometres every day and you park your car for many hours each night a 10A power point can work. The only thing to be careful of is those days when you need a quick charge. For example, we once forgot to charge our electric vehicle overnight and suddenly had to make a long-distance trip. With 50% battery strength we needed to find the nearest supercharger because we couldn’t wait hours at home to charge. This doesn’t happen often but it’s something to be think about depending on your driving habits.
2. The Power Point Upgrade – 15 Amp Dedicated Power Point
If the 10A setup is feeling a tad slow, you can upgrade to a 15 Amp (15A) dedicated power point. This is like swapping your garden hose for a slightly bigger one – a bit more flow, but not a firehose. In Aussie homes, 15A outlets look just like standard ones except for a bigger earth pin, and they can supply up to ~3.6 kW of power. Many caravan parks use 15A sockets for RVs – and in this case, your electric vehicle is the hungry RV. 🔌🚗
Pros:
Faster charging on the cheap. With a 15A outlet, you’ll charge about 50% quicker than the 10A standard outlet. That’s around 15–20 km of range per hour of charging, meaning an overnight session can easily give you well over 150 km of juice – enough for most daily drives. This makes a big difference if you found the 10A “tortoise” too slow. It’s a great middle-ground for those who drive a bit more. For instance, owners of a Hyundai Kona Electric or Kia Niro EV with medium-sized batteries often find that a 15A point reliably tops them up overnight. Even BYD or Polestar 2 drivers who don’t drain their battery completely each day could be perfectly satisfied with this charging speed. Another perk: the cost to install a 15A outlet isn’t much more than a normal one – you’re mostly paying for the outlet hardware (which is only a tad pricier) and the electrician’s time to wire a dedicated circuit. No expensive high-tech charger unit needed.
Cons:
We’re still in “slow-ish” charging territory. While faster than the basic plug, a 15A outlet is not going to break any land-speed records for charging. You might still wait 8-12 hours for a significant charge, which is fine overnight but not ideal if you need a quick daytime top-up. Also, not every EV comes with a 15A-capable portable charger by default – some include only a 10A one. So you might need to buy an upgraded portable EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) that can draw 15A. It’s an additional one-time cost (several hundred dollars usually) but then you’re set. And as with any high-current outlet, you must use a dedicated circuit and proper wiring – an electrician will install thicker cabling and a suitable breaker for safety. Don’t even think about trying to jury-rig adapters; for the love of safety, get it done properly (your insurance and peace of mind will thank you).
Cost & Installation:
Installing a single-phase 15A dedicated outlet is a pretty straightforward job for a licensed electrician. If your switchboard has room and the run of cable isn’t massive, you’re typically looking at around $650 plus GST (assuming your existing electrical infrastructure is up to scratch. If the electrician runs into complications – like a switchboard upgrade or a long cabling distance – costs can creep up. Still, compared to fancy wall chargers, this is an economical step that gives a decent boost in speed. It’s essentially the best bang for buck upgrade for many EV owners. Just plug your portable charger into the beefier 15A socket and enjoy that extra oomph in charging speed!
Our Take:
Many people aren’t even aware that the 15 amp power point is an option but it’s definitely worthwhile considering depending on how many kilometres you do each day. Just make sure your manufacturers portable charger has a 15 amp connector. The big drawback is that it can’t help you with those moments where you need a quick charge. Which lead us to our next option.
3. High-Powered Socket – 32 Amp Power Point with Dedicated Circuit
Ready to supercharge (figuratively speaking) your home charging? A 32 Amp socket on a dedicated circuit is where charging starts to get serious. This option is basically installing a high-powered industrial-grade outlet – the type of outlet you might see powering heavy machinery or welders, often with a round pin configuration. In a single-phase home (which most Aussie houses are), a 32A outlet can supply up to about 7 kW of power. That’s nearly three times the punch of a 10A plug. 🚀
Pros:
Speed, speed, speed. At ~7 kW, a 32A charger can add roughly 40–50 km of range per hour to your EV. This means even large battery EVs will fill up overnight. No more range anxiety if you forget to charge until the evening – plug into a 32A socket and by the time you’ve had dinner, watched some Netflix, and gotten your beauty sleep, your Polestar 2, Kia EV6, or Volvo XC40 Recharge can be back to 100%. For regular, long-distance commuters or folks with big battery packs, this high-powered socket is a game-changer. Another advantage is flexibility: you’re still using a socket + portable charger (from your manufacturer), just a much more powerful one. You’ll also need a 32 amp connector (many third party options exist) to connect your portable charger to your 32 amp plug. The good news is that you can take this setup (the 32 amp connector and your portable charger) with you on road trips. Plenty of showgrounds and holiday parks around Australia have 32A outlets available – it’s a common standard for temporary high-power supply. So having the ability to plug into a 32A outlet means you might juice up in places where there are no dedicated EV chargers, just power outlets. In short, it’s fast and versatile. 💪
Cons:
This is where the install starts to get more involved and pricier. A 32A circuit draws a lot of power, so you’ll definitely need a licensed sparky (electrician) to set this up with the proper wiring, a beefy circuit breaker, and safety switch. It’s not just a simple outlet swap – usually new heavy-gauge cabling is run from your switchboard to the dedicated 32A socket location. If your switchboard is older or already near capacity, some upgrades may be required to handle the additional load. All this means higher labour and materials cost. We’re talking around $1,100 plus GST to install – much more than a 15A install. Also, the 32A outlets and plugs are industrial-looking – not as sleek as a wall charger – and you’ll need a matching 32A charging cable to use it (which is an extra cost if not provided). And while 7 kW is great, note that it’s roughly the max most EVs can take on single-phase. So this is the ceiling unless you go to three-phase. Another minor con: unlike a permanently mounted charger, you’ll be plugging in a portable unit each time and possibly stowing it away – a bit more effort (though some folks just leave their portable EVSE plugged into the 32A socket when at home).
Cost & Installation:
Given the heavier wiring and parts involved, a 32A outlet installation will cost more. We’re talking around $1,100 plus GST to install (including a dedicated line to the switchboard and any small switchboard tweaks). If you’re lucky and it’s a very short run (or your electrician is very kind), it could be under that, but it’s wise to budget for around that much. This usually includes the outlet hardware, new cabling, breakers, and labour. Keep in mind, if significant switchboard upgrades are needed (for example, installing a new sub-board or increasing mains capacity), that’s an extra cost on top and could add several thousand dollars in worst-case scenarios. However, for most homes, upgrading to a 32A circuit is doable without astronomic costs. Also remember you’ll need to buy the connector to join your portable charging unit to the 32 amp power point. These can sometimes cost a couple of hundred dollars depending on the quality.
Our Take: This is an option many people aren’t aware of and provides great flexibility as you can take the portable charger and connector on the road with you and charge at caravan parks etc. The result is a high-power charging option that’s still relatively cost-effective compared to the next option and it’s somewhat “future-proof”. (Fun tip: some experts recommend installing cable and hardware for 32A even if you start with a lower current, so you’re ready to upgrade later. In summary, if you’re a serious EV user who finds 15A just isn’t cutting it, a 32A dedicated socket will significantly amp up your home charging game.
4. Dedicated Wall Charger – Single Phase Hardwired EV Charger
Now we’re getting fancy. A dedicated wall charger (also known as a wall box or EVSE charger unit) is a purpose-built device for charging your EV. Instead of plugging your car into an outlet with a portable cable, you have a unit mounted on the wall (usually in your garage or carport) with a cable that you directly plug into the car’s charging port. This setup is what you’ll often see recommended by car manufacturers and EV installers – it’s the quintessential home EV charging station. For single-phase homes, these chargers typically deliver up to 7 kW (32A) of power, similar to the 32A socket above – but with added convenience and smarts.
Pros:
Convenience and speed with style. A wall-mounted charger is super convenient: the charging cable is often tethered, meaning it’s attached and ready to plug in – no lugging out your portable charger each time. Just park, plug, and walk away. Many units have smart features like Wi-Fi connectivity, scheduling/timers, load management, and even smartphone apps that let you monitor or control charging sessions. For example, you could set your charger to juice up your Hyundai Ioniq 5 or BMW iX3 when electricity is cheapest, all through an app. Some chargers can integrate with solar systems too, so your Kia EV6 can drink up excess solar power during the day. In terms of speed, they match the ~7 kW of a 32A outlet (adding 40 – 50 kilometres of range per hour), so they’ll easily fully charge most EVs overnight. They also tend to be weatherproof and robust, which is great if your parking is outdoors. And let’s be honest, a sleek wall charger unit on your garage wall can look pretty cool – it gives a bit of a “pro setup” vibe, impressing your friends more than a clunky cable and outlet would. 😄
Cons:
The main con is cost. You’re now paying for dedicated hardware and installation. A quality wall charger unit can range from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand, depending on brand and features (basic models might be ~$800, while high-end ones with LCD screens and load balancing can be $2,000+). On top of that, installation by an electrician is required to hardwire it into your home’s electrical system. All up, the total cost for a single-phase wall charger setup in Australia is typically around $1,420 plus GST plus the cost of the wall charging unit you select (we can help you pick the right one for your situation.
Another con: it’s fixed in one place. Unlike a portable charger, you can’t take the wall unit with you on trips – it’s bolted to your house. (You’ll still keep your portable charger for travel or emergencies, of course.) Also, while many wall chargers are universal (using the J1772/Type 2 connector standard), you need to make sure you get one compatible with your EV’s plug type – but since Australia has settled on the Type 2/Combined2 standard for virtually all new EVs (from MG to Mercedes), this usually isn’t an issue.
In summary, a dedicated wall charger is the go-to choice for many EV owners who want a reliable, faster, and convenient home charging experience. It’s especially popular for those with higher-end EVs or larger batteries – you’ll find Volvo XC40 Recharge owners, Mercedes-Benz EQC drivers, and BMW iX enthusiasts often opt for installed chargers to make daily charging a breeze. If you’re charging every day and can swing the upfront cost, this option offers great long-term comfort and functionality.
Our take:
This is our favourite setup. It’s very convenient – you just plug the wall charger cable straight into your vehicle – no portable chargers and connectors to get tangled up! Plus it looks cool and is super fast. It does cost more but we think it’s worth it.
5. The Ultimate Charging Setup – Three-Phase Power with Hardwired Charger
Finally, we arrive at the ultimate home charging scenario: a hardwired EV charger on a three-phase power supply. 🏆 This is the fastest home charging setup available and is ideal for high-use EV drivers or multi-EV households that need serious charging firepower. In a three-phase configuration, your wall-mounted charger can deliver up to 22 kW of power (that’s 32A on each of three phases). To put that in perspective, 22 kW could add roughly 100 to 120 km of range per hour to an efficient EV – almost like having a mini public fast charger at home! Even if your car’s onboard AC charger maxes out at a lower rate (many EVs are limited to 11 kW on AC), you’re still looking at around 75 kilometres of range per hour of charging, which is blazing fast for home charging. This is the setup of choice for those who want the absolute best and aren’t afraid to invest in their charging infrastructure.
Pros:
Maximum charging speed at home. If you have a big battery EV – say a Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron GT, or even a Tesla-beating (just kidding!) high-performance EV sedan – a three-phase charger will let it suck down electrons at the fastest rate the car will allow. This means shorter charging sessions and more flexibility. Imagine driving a long range Polestar or BMW EV down to near empty in the evening, then being able to refill it to 100% before you head out again in the morning. Three-phase makes that doable. It’s also great if you have two EVs at home; you could charge one after the other in the same night, or some high-end chargers can even charge two cars simultaneously (splitting power across phases). Another benefit is future-proofing: Australia’s grid and many appliances (like big air conditioners, pool pumps, etc.) run on three-phase, and having that at home means you’re equipped for any future EV with a higher-rate charger. It also can integrate well with large home solar systems – e.g. if you have a 3-phase solar inverter, a 3-phase charger can use solar from all phases more effectively. In short, it’s the rolls-royce of home charging setups – powerful, fast, and ready for anything.
Cons:
The big one: cost and complexity. Getting three-phase power to your home can be a challenge if you don’t already have it. Many Aussie homes have only single-phase supply. Upgrading to three-phase involves coordinating with your electricity provider, possibly changing your meter and connection, and definitely some electrical work on your property. This can add several thousand dollars in upfront expense, depending on your location and existing infrastructure. We’re talking potentially $3,000 to $6,000 (or more) just to get the three-phase service established, if it requires new cabling from the street. If you’re building a new home or already have three-phase (some houses do – often those with big ducted air-con or machinery), then you’re ahead of the game. The charger unit itself and the installation will also cost a bit more than single-phase, but not dramatically so – mainly it’s similar hardware with a few extra wires. You’ll likely use a high-end charger model to handle the power; those can range from maybe $1,500 up to $3,000+ for the unit. With professional installation, the total for a three-phase charger setup is around $2,000 plus GST plus the cost of your wall charger (and of course the cost to install 3-phase if you don’t already have it. It’s an investment for sure. Another con: if your car doesn’t support 3-phase AC charging fully, you won’t get the full 22 kW benefit. For example, many EVs cap at 7 kW on single-phase or ~11 kW on three-phase – so the rest of that capacity is unused. It’s kind of like having a six-burner BBQ but only ever using four burners – still great, but just note your car’s limits. Finally, the high power means you need to be mindful of your overall household load to avoid blowing your main fuse, but modern chargers often have smart load management to throttle down if your house is drawing a lot elsewhere.
Cost & Installation:
We touched on cost, but to summarize: installation costs for the wall charger unit are around $2,000 plus GST if you already have three-phase at home. If a switchboard upgrade is needed, that could add extra. If you don’t have three-phase yet, contact us and we can provide an estimate for an upgrade. Despite the costs, many high-use electric vehicle owners consider this worth it for the sheer convenience of fast charging at home. It’s especially common for luxury EV owners – picture Audi e-tron, Porsche Taycan drivers – who want their home setup to match the high performance of their vehicles. It’s also a good talking point: “Oh yes, my house has three-phase EV charging,” said in an offhand brag. 😜
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Charging Setup (and Getting Help!)
Every EV owner’s situation is different. You might be perfectly happy with the slow-and-steady approach of a standard power point, or you might be eyeing off that three-phase powerhouse to charge your Polestar in a flash. The key is to match the charging option to your needs: consider your driving habits, your vehicle’s battery size and charging capability, your home’s electrical capacity, and of course your budget. It’s also worth thinking long-term – if you plan to keep this EV for a while (or get more EVs), investing a bit more now could pay off in convenience for years to come.
One thing’s for sure: safety and professionalism matter. Whichever option you choose, use a licensed electrician to do any installations or upgrades. Australian standards and regulations are there to keep you and your property safe, so don’t skimp on the proper setup. A good electrician will ensure your charger (or outlet) is installed to code, with the right protections in place.
Finally, if all these options still have your head spinning like an electric motor, don’t stress – help is available. Feel free to reach out to us for expert electric vehicle charger installation advice. 🙂 We’re here to help Aussie EV owners make sense of home charging. Whether you have questions about which setup suits you best, need a free quote, or just want to chat about EV charging over a virtual coffee, get in touch with us. We love helping fellow EV drivers get plugged in and charging with confidence. Happy charging, and enjoy the electric ride! ⚡🚙
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