Australia: EV charging vs petrol running costs
Real fuel and electricity prices, compared per 100 km driven — compiled August 2026.
| Vehicle type | Cost per 100 km |
|---|---|
| Petrol car | A$15.30 |
| Electric car | A$8.37 |
Charging an EV at home costs about A$6.93 less per 100 km than driving a petrol car — roughly 45% cheaper, at today’s prices.
Petrol/gas: Petrol at A$1.8/litre, typical car economy 8.5 L/100km. Source: GlobalPetrolPrices.com Australia average, Aug 2026; typical car economy per IEA fuel-economy data. Electricity: 18.6 kWh per 100 km (typical modern EV, DOE/EPA-based estimate) at A$0.45/kWh — Derived from AER’s NSW (Ausgrid) 2026-27 reference bill (A$1,899 / ~4,200 kWh).
See Australia energy costs in full
See Australia energy costs →Ready to compare Australia energy providers?
See Australia providers →Fuel and electricity prices are live snapshots and change constantly — treat this as a real, dated comparison rather than a permanent figure. EV efficiency (30 kWh/100 miles) is a typical modern-EV estimate, not a single model’s rating — actual results vary by vehicle, driving style and climate. This is not financial or purchasing advice.