What it asks
Your battery size in kWh, how you'll charge (a normal power point, a 15 amp point or a wall charger), and how much power your car can actually accept. That last one matters: not every EV can charge at 22 kW on AC, and plug-in hybrids often can't make much use of faster chargers.
Rough charging speeds at home
| Power | Range added per hour | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 amp power point | About 2.2 kW | About 10 to 15 km |
| 15 amp power point | About 3.6 to 3.7 kW | About 15 to 20 km |
| 7 kW wall charger | 7 kW | About 30 to 40 km |
| 11 kW wall charger | 11 kW | About 50 to 60 km |
| 22 kW wall charger | 22 kW | About 100 to 120 km, if the car can take it |
A sum you can do now
For a normal wall socket, the ACT Government's rule of thumb is to divide your battery size in kWh by 2.3 to get the hours from empty to full. An 80 kWh battery works out at about 35 hours. A dedicated 7 kW charger fully charges a standard EV in about 6 to 9 hours, and a 15 amp socket can add over 220 km overnight.
What the answer doesn't tell you
These are estimates. The WA Government says real speeds shift with the car model, battery size and charge level, the weather, and the power of the car's onboard charger. The calculator also can't tell you whether your switchboard and supply can carry a charger. An electrician checks if you're on single or three phase power and whether the board has room for a new breaker.
Installing a wall charger or a new power point is licensed work. And don't run an extension cord to the car: the ACT Government says that's impractical or illegal.
What we'd do
Work out how far you drive on a normal day, then pick the slowest option that covers it overnight. Have an electrician look at the board and the supply before you buy a charger, not after it arrives.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.