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Compare EV charger prices and specifications side-by-side and see what charging solutions may be best for your situation and budget. This comparison tool lists standard and smart electric vehicle charging solutions currently available in Australia. For recommended brands, see the chart in the notes below the table.
Hit ‘Expand’ for full screen. Scroll within the table to see all the rows and columns. Explanatory notes are included below the table. Corrections, additions or feedback? Contact us.
Being reviewed by ABF as at December 2022
One product per row, with no images
One product per column, with product images
A physical safety lock stops a charger from being removed while charging is taking place.
Some products can also be electronically locked using a Personal Identification Number (PIN), preventing unauthorised operation when the EV is plugged in, or just when it’s unplugged, or all the time. While the likelihood of a stranger’s EV rocking up in your driveway to top up is probably pretty low, these are strange times and the PIN lock can be useful.
This refers to inverters that can communicate wirelessly when you have two or more in use at the same time; to balance charge between electric vehicles. Many OCPP compatible inverters can do this. This feature is mainly used at commercial charging stations.
This is really important. EV charging cables are available in different lengths. While a longer cable provides more flexibility, it will add to the cost of the system. When deciding on charge cable length, think about where the port is located on your vehicle. Will you need the ability to access it regardless of whether your car is parked with the port facing the charger or away from it? What about if the car is parked behind another vehicle?
Some products are “smart chargers”, in that they allow a great degree of control over how your vehicle is charged – and when.
For example, charging can be scheduled during off-peak periods, other times when electricity prices are low, or in some cases to work with your solar power system in a smarter way to maximise self-consumption. Another advanced feature is advanced dynamic load balancing, which will switch other large household loads automatically when an EV is charging to prevent your home’s electricity supply from tripping.
When comparing smart EV chargers, bear in mind the advanced features they offer can differ. Be sure on what features you want or need, and whether you really need them at all.
Solar self-consumption optimisation involves a smart charger operating automatically only when there’s surplus electricity being exported from your solar power system.
As feed in tariffs are pretty low these days compared to what they once were, it makes much more sense to divert this surplus energy to your electric vehicle rather than export it to the mains grid – and then drawing back from the mains grid to charge.
For example, a feed in tariff might be 8c per kilowatt hour, but the mains consumption rate is 21c. “Filling up” with 50 kilowatt-hours of surplus solar electricity will cost $4 in terms of the missed feed-in tariff. But to draw the same amount of energy from mains supply will cost $10.50 – around 2.5 times the amount for home-brewed solar energy.
So, how does a smart EV charger with solar self-consumption optimisation features “know” when there is surplus solar energy available? To learn more about this and everything else you need to know on the topic of electric vehicle charging, check out my 101 Guide To EV Chargers.
EV chargers with a ‘solar only’ mode require at least 4.2 kW in 3-phase mode or 1.4 kW in single-phase to start charging. Smart 3-phase chargers can ‘downshift’ from 3-phase to single phase if solar power supply is below 4.2kW.
OCPP1.6 compatibility means the charger can be controlled by a third party smart app that can also interface with solar inverters and home batteries.
This is an important specification to compare. The IP rating refers to Ingress Protection – the ability of a charger’s enclosure to resist dust and particulates (the first number), and moisture (the second). The higher the IP numbers, the better protection provided. In the case of chargers, look for IP65 – meaning it’s suitable for outdoor use.
Important: the IP rating doesn’t indicate how well the enclosure will stand up to the sun beating down on it day after day. As with solar inverters, chargers should be installed out of direct sunlight. If this isn’t possible in your installation situation, then you should have a cover/shroud that will provide suitable shade also installed.
Just about all electric car chargers currently available only work one-way – from the energy source to the vehicle. But bi-directional charging will enable V2G (Vehicle To Grid) and V2H (Vehicle To Home) applications; taking advantage of the fact an EV is essentially a big battery on wheels.
The one bi-directional charger available in Australia at the moment is incredibly expensive, but expect prices to drop as other products become hit the market here. Also note very few EV models in Australia currently support V2H/V2G.
This row indicates if we found the EV charger manufacturer has policies for addressing modern slavery/forced labour risks. TBD indicates this is yet to be determined and “failed to respond” indicates our enquiries did not receive a reply. Where provided, in-depth analysis of an EV charger manufacturer’s statement/policy has not been performed.
The warranty on electric vehicle chargers is generally between 1 and 3 years – but not all warranties are equal. When comparing warranties, don’t just look at their duration but also the conditions. We’ve provided links in the comparison table above to those documents.
Note: We strive to keep EV charger comparison information up to date and to add new products as they become available. However, mistakes may be made and information can become rapidly outdated given the pace at which electric vehicle charging solutions are evolving. Warranty details can also change without warning. For these reasons, we advise confirming details with an EV charger manufacturer or installer before making a purchase decision to ensure you’re buying the best charger for your circumstances.
The best EV charging solution for you will depend on your circumstances. And really, most of these devices haven’t had enough time operating in Australian conditions to make a conclusion as to which are best. But the following chart shows all the brands available in Australia I’ve heard good things about from installers and EV owners that I’m comfortable in recommending.
You may be wondering why the Zappi – a pretty popular device – isn’t on the chart. That’s because I’ve had three fail on me, along with two Zappi charging cables. Here’s hoping the V2 Zappi will prove to be more reliable in Australian conditions.
You can learn everything you need to know about charging an electric vehicle in my EV Charger 101 guide – it contains a bunch of useful information, all clearly explained.
Not sure which electric car charger is right for you?
If you’re getting ready to install an EV charging solution at your home or business, SolarQuotes can help. We can connect you with expert, pre-vetted installers servicing your area who will advise you on the best solution for your needs and provide a quote for supply and installation.
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