How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla in Australia? (2026)

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla in Australia?

One of the most common questions from new and prospective Tesla owners in Australia is: how much does it actually cost to charge a Tesla? The answer depends on where you charge, when you charge, and which Tesla model you drive. This guide breaks it all down with real Australian electricity rates and Supercharger pricing.

Tesla Charging Cost: The Short Answer

For most Australian Tesla owners charging at home on a standard rate, expect to pay roughly $15–$25 to fully charge a Tesla Model Y from near-empty.

At off-peak rates or with solar, that cost can drop to $5–$12.

Supercharger costs are higher — typically $25–$40 for a full charge depending on your state and time of day.

Home Charging Costs in Australia

Home charging is by far the cheapest way to charge your Tesla. Here's what to expect based on common Australian electricity rates:

• Standard rate (~$0.30–$0.35/kWh): A Tesla Model Y Long Range (82 kWh battery) costs approximately $24–$29 for a full charge
• Off-peak rate (~$0.15–$0.20/kWh): The same charge drops to $12–$16
• Solar (free excess): Effectively $0 if you have sufficient solar generation during the day
• Solar feed-in offset (~$0.06–$0.10/kWh): Charging from solar instead of exporting saves you the difference between your rate and feed-in tariff

Most Australian Tesla owners charge overnight on off-peak tariffs or during the day from solar, keeping their weekly charging cost well under $20.

Free Charging: Solar Sponge Hours and EV Energy Plans

One of the best-kept secrets for Australian EV owners is the new free power window as of July 1st 2026— periods during the middle of the day when the grid has excess solar generation and some energy retailers offer electricity at $0/kWh.

Conditions apply!

Some retailers, including OVO Energy, offer EV-specific plans that include free electricity between 11am and 2pm — right in the middle of the solar sponge period.

If you work from home, have a smart charger, or can schedule your Tesla to charge during this window, you could be charging your Tesla for completely free every day.

For a Tesla Model Y owner, that's potentially $1,500–$2,000 per year in free charging depending on your driving habits.

OVO Energy's EV plan is worth a look if you want to take advantage of this. If you sign up using a referral link, both you and the person who referred you receive a $180 bill credit paid monthly over 12 months — a solid bonus on top of the free charging benefit.

→ Check out OVO Energy's EV plan here (referral link — we may receive a credit if you sign up)

Tesla Model Charging Costs Compared

Battery size varies significantly across Tesla models, which directly affects charging cost:

• Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (~60 kWh): ~$18–$21 at standard rates
• Tesla Model 3 Long Range (~82 kWh): ~$24–$29 at standard rates
• Tesla Model Y RWD (~75 kWh): ~$22–$26 at standard rates
• Tesla Model Y Long Range (~82 kWh): ~$24–$29 at standard rates
• Tesla Model Y Performance (~82 kWh): ~$24–$29 at standard rates
• Tesla Model Y YL 6-Seater (~82 kWh): ~$24–$29 at standard rates

Supercharger Costs in Australia

Tesla Superchargers in Australia are priced per kWh (not per minute like some older networks).

Rates vary by location and time of day but typically range from $0.38–$0.55/kWh. For a Model Y Long Range:

• A 20–80% charge (about 50 kWh) costs approximately $19–$28
• A near-full charge (0–100%) costs approximately $31–$45

Supercharger pricing is displayed in the Tesla app before you plug in, so there are no surprises. PlugShare is the best free app also to know where and what charges apply as well as where chargers are and if they are available or even working.

Destination Charger and Public AC Charging

Many hotels, shopping centres and carparks across Australia offer destination charging (AC, typically 7–22 kW). Costs vary widely — some are free, others charge $0.20–$0.45/kWh or a flat hourly rate.

Always check PlugShare or the network app (Chargefox, Evie, NRMA etc.) before plugging in.

How Does Tesla Charging Compare to Petrol?

A petrol car averaging 10L/100km at $2.00/L costs about $20 per 100km. A Tesla Model Y at home charging rates costs roughly $4–$8 per 100km — a saving of 60–80% per kilometre.

Over 15,000km per year, that's a saving of $1,800–$2,400 annually on fuel alone.

Calculate Your Exact Tesla Charging Cost

Everyone's situation is different — your electricity rate, solar setup, driving habits and Tesla model all affect your real charging cost.

Use our free calculator to get a personalised estimate:

→ Try our Tesla Charging Cost Calculator (Free)

Tips to Reduce Your Tesla Charging Costs in Australia

• Switch to an EV-specific energy plan like OVO Energy to access free power windows between 11am–2pm daily
• Switch to a time-of-use tariff and schedule charging for off-peak hours (typically 10pm–7am)
• Charge from solar during the day if you work from home or have a timer-compatible setup
• Use Superchargers only when needed — they're convenient but 2–3x more expensive than home charging
• Keep your charge between 20–80% for daily use — this also preserves long-term battery health
• Pre-condition your Tesla while still plugged in before driving in cold weather to reduce range loss

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model Y in Australia?

At standard home electricity rates (~$0.30/kWh), a full charge for a Tesla Model Y costs approximately $24–$29.

At off-peak rates or with solar, this can drop to $10–$15.

Is it cheaper to charge a Tesla at home or at a Supercharger?

Home charging is significantly cheaper. Superchargers in Australia typically cost $0.38–$0.55/kWh compared to $0.15–$0.35/kWh at home depending on your tariff.

How much does it cost to charge a Tesla per 100km in Australia?

At home rates, most Tesla owners pay $4–$8 per 100km. At Supercharger rates, expect $12–$18 per 100km.

Can I charge my Tesla for free in Australia?

Yes — some energy retailers like OVO Energy offer free electricity between 11am and 2pm on EV-specific plans, which aligns with peak solar generation.

Some destination chargers at hotels and shopping centres also offer free charging.

What is the cheapest way to charge a Tesla in Australia?

An EV energy plan with free solar sponge hours (like OVO Energy's 11am–2pm free window) is the cheapest option if you can charge during the day.

Otherwise, home solar or an off-peak overnight tariff are the next best options — typically $0.10–$0.20/kWh.

What is OVO Energy's EV plan and is it worth it?

OVO Energy offers an EV-specific electricity plan in Australia that includes free power between 11am and 2pm.as well as .08c between 12pm and 6am.

For Tesla owners who can schedule charging during this window, it can mean effectively free daily charging.

 New customers who sign up via a the above referral link also receive a $180 bill credit paid over 12 months.