Yes, you generally pay for Tesla Supercharging in Australia per kilowatt-hour (kWh), with costs varying by location, time (peak/off-peak), and whether you have a Tesla or another EV, often ranging from ~$0.60 to over $0.90/kWh, plus potential idle fees; while some Destination Chargers might be free, Superchargers are a paid service, though some older Teslas or promotions offer free charging.
The answer is generally no. Tesla Superchargers in Australia typically operate on a pay-per-use system, meaning you pay for the electricity consumed during charging. Prices vary depending on the location and local electricity rates, but average around 60 to 80 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
If your Tesla vehicle has free Supercharging, you can charge at Supercharger sites owned by Tesla at no cost. If you charge your Tesla vehicle at a Supercharger site not owned by Tesla, you can view the price for each site before you begin your charging session.
The cost to charge an electric car in Australia varies greatly depending on the type of charging station used, the location of the station, and the time of day the vehicle is charged. The average cost of charging an EV in Australia is estimated at around on average 30 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy used.
On average, it will cost between $10.98 and $18.00 to fully charge a Tesla at home in 2025, depending on the model. You will need anywhere from 75 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 123 kWh to fully charge a Tesla. EV chargers are not 100% efficient. You'll need a few extra kilowatt-hours to get a completely full charge.
Some chargers will require a dedicated card, or you may need to download a specific app which relates to the charge point operator (CPO). Others will allow payment using standard Visa, MasterCard debit and/or credit cards. Accepted payment types will normally be clearly displayed on or near the charger.
EVs are significantly cheaper to run, including fuel savings of up to 70% and maintenance savings of around 40%. For an average car travelling 13,700 km per year, this could amount to an annual fuel saving of $1000, or $1200 if the EV is able to charge overnight on an off-peak tariff.
Are there free EV chargers at supermarkets? Yes, you may be able to find some free electric car chargers at supermarkets, but very few remain. Big supermarket chains such as Sainsbury's, Tesco, Aldi and Asda were at the forefront of offering free charging for customers during the early stages of the EV revolution.
No, most Tesla Superchargers are not free; they operate on a pay-per-use model where you pay for the electricity (kWh), with costs varying by location and time, but some specific cars or promotions (like older Model S/X) might include free charging credits, and other public Level 2 chargers at places like hotels or shopping centers sometimes offer complimentary charging.
Only the first hour is free after that it's 3$ per hour. There are multiple charging stations from ChargePoint through throughout. For Tesla, it is charging at 25 miles per hr.
Most BMW EVs from model year 2022 and newer can charge at NACS Partner Tesla Superchargers once the required Remote Software Upgrade (RSU) is installed.
Superchargers are pay-per-use. You can see pricing for each Supercharger site in the Tesla app. When your charging session is complete, an estimate of the final charges is shown on the screen. Pricing charged by third parties through their apps may vary.
The cheapest EV charging in Australia is usually home charging using off-peak rates (as low as 8c/kWh with plans like AGL or Origin), or leveraging solar power, which can make it nearly free; for public charging, Chargefox, Jolt, and Evie Networks offer lower rates (starting around 40-45c/kWh for slower DC or 0-30c/kWh for AC), with Jolt offering 7kWh free daily, but costs vary significantly by network, location, and charger speed (AC is cheaper than DC).
Tesla prices in Australia have become cheaper due to increased competition (especially from Chinese brands like BYD), stronger supply from the Shanghai factory reducing wait times, price cuts to stay competitive, and a maturing EV market with more used options, all contributing to lower costs for both new and second-hand models. Lower manufacturing costs in China and a focus on market share also play significant roles in making them more affordable.
In 2018, Tesla phased out free Supercharging for life, citing sustainability concerns. Since then, it has occasionally reintroduced the perk as a temporary incentive.
To access your Tesla's secret Service Menu, go to the Software settings, then press and hold the vehicle model name (e.g., "Model Y") until a prompt appears, and type "service" to enter a hidden diagnostic area with advanced info, but use caution as it's for technicians. To exit, press and hold the red exit button that appears on the screen.
Key takeaways. You can expect to pay between $6 and $50 to fully charge your Tesla at a Supercharger station, excluding any fees. Superchargers have an average rate of $0.25 per kilowatt-hour, but rates vary between locations.
As EVs get older, the batteries progressively degrade. It is expected that at around 75% of the battery's original capacity, it has reached the end of its life in an EV. In reality what this means is that if the car was sold with 400 km driving range, at the end of its useful life it could be down to around 300 km.
Australia's slow EV adoption isn't outright opposition but a mix of high upfront costs, range anxiety due to sparse charging infrastructure, misinformation/myths, lack of diverse models, and Australia's unique geography/population density, all compounded by political/media narratives and vested interests in fossil fuels. While growing, the challenges include fewer chargers per EV than in other nations, concerns about long-distance travel, and a general lack of understanding or trust in the technology, despite lower running costs.
The 80/20 rule for EV charging is a guideline to charge daily between 20% and 80% for optimal lithium-ion battery health, extending lifespan by reducing stress from extreme highs (100%) and lows (0%). Charge to 100% only for long trips, and avoid deep discharges below 20% for regular use, though modern EVs handle occasional 100% charges safely.
Yes, some UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Lidl, and Sainsbury's, have been known to provide free or discounted EV charging, often as part of a partnership with charging networks. Accessibility and store policies can vary, so be sure to research your options before you visit a given charge point.
Yes, charging your Tesla to around 80-90% daily is generally recommended for best battery health, reserving 100% charges for long trips, as it reduces stress on the battery, though the ideal percentage depends on your battery type (LFP vs. NMC) and daily needs, with LFP batteries being more flexible and needing a monthly 100% calibration charge.
Ampol's AmpCharge public EV charging cost is around $0.69 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for pay-as-you-go, making it one of Australia's pricier options, though they offer discounts like 4c/kWh off for AmpolCard users and have home charger options too. Prices are set to reflect energy market conditions, and you can find exact rates and pay via the Ampol app or with AmpolCard.