Most Melbourne drivers travel 30–50 km per day, using about 6–10 kWh of electricity. From the grid, this costs around $2–$3 per day. Petrol for the same distance costs about $5–$10 per day.
With solar panels and a smart EV charger, that electricity comes from your roof, so there’s no ongoing charging cost.
This can save around $1,000–$2,500 per year compared to grid charging, and $2,000–$4,000+ compared to petrol.
This is particularly effective for Melbourne households where the car is parked at home during the day (remote workers, retirees, families with a second vehicle).
| Component | Typical Cost |
| EV charger unit (7kW single-phase) | $1,000–$2,000 |
| EV charger unit (22kW three-phase) | $1,800–$3,500 |
| Installation (standard) | $500–$1,200 |
| Switchboard upgrade (if required) | $500–$1,500 |
| Total (typical single-phase install) | $1,500–$3,200 |
| Total (typical three-phase install) | $2,300–$5,000 |
Adding a 7kW or 22kW load to your home’s electrical system is significant. Before installing an EV charger, Zap Tech Energy assesses:
Older switchboards with ceramic fuses or limited circuit breaker space may need upgrading
Single-phase homes can support up to 7kW EV charging. Three-phase homes can support up to 22kW. Phase upgrades are possible but add cost
The distance from the switchboard to the garage or carport affects cable sizing and installation cost
If you have solar, the charger may need to communicate with the inverter for load management
Type A or Type B RCD protection is required depending on the charger model
EV charger rebates in Victoria are limited at the moment. Some discounts may be available through programs like the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) scheme or federal incentives, depending on eligibility.
Zap Tech Energy checks all available rebates when quoting, so you get any savings you’re eligible for.
Yes, and Zap Tech Energy recommends it. A smart charger like the Zappi can be set to charge only when excess solar is available, reducing charging costs to near zero. Zap Tech Energy installs both solar and EV chargers and can design an integrated system.
