EV charger guide
The Melbourne homeowner's guide to home EV chargers
Independent, plain-language information on choosing and installing a home EV charger — what the numbers mean, what your house needs, and what changes the price.
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Home EV charging basics
Six things worth understanding before you buy a charger or book an electrician.
What a home charger actually is
A wall-mounted AC charger (a wallbox) connected to its own dedicated circuit from your switchboard. It talks to your car, controls the current, and charges far faster and more safely than a general power outlet.
Charging speed in real terms
A 7kW single phase charger adds roughly 40km of range per hour, so most EVs fully charge overnight. 11kW and 22kW three phase units are faster, but only if your car can accept the higher AC rate.
Tethered vs socketed
Tethered units have a permanently attached cable — convenient day to day. Socketed units take any Type 2 cable, which suits shared driveways or households with different vehicles.
Your car sets the ceiling
Every EV has an onboard AC charger with a maximum rate. Many cap at 7kW or 11kW, so paying for a 22kW wallbox often buys capacity your vehicle cannot use.
Smart features worth having
Scheduling for off-peak tariffs, app control, load management to protect your main supply, and solar diversion if you have panels. These features are the main difference between budget and premium units.
What installation involves
A dedicated circuit and protective device at the switchboard, a cable run to the charger location, mounting, testing and compliance paperwork from a licensed electrician.
Deep dives
Go deeper on the decisions that matter
Each guide covers one question Melbourne homeowners ask us most often.
How much does EV charger installation cost?
What actually drives the price of a home EV charger installation in Melbourne, and which parts of the job vary the most.
Read guide7kW vs 11kW vs 22kW
Charging speeds compared in plain language, including why your car's onboard charger often sets the real limit.
Read guideDo I need single or three phase?
How to tell what supply your Melbourne home has, and what changes if you want a higher output charger.
Read guideCan I charge from solar?
Solar diversion, battery integration and what to look for in a charger if you already have panels on the roof.
Read guideDo I need a switchboard upgrade?
Why some homes need switchboard work before a charger can be installed, and how to spot the warning signs.
Read guideWhich EV charger is right for my car?
The main categories of home charger sold in Australia and the features worth comparing before you buy.
Read guideA sensible order to work through it
- 1. Check your car. Find its maximum AC charging rate. That number tells you whether a 7kW, 11kW or 22kW charger is worth paying for.
- 2. Check your supply. Most Melbourne homes are single phase. Anything above 7kW generally needs three phase.
- 3. Look at your switchboard. Age, spare capacity and safety switches determine whether extra work is needed.
- 4. Measure the cable run. The distance and route from board to charger is one of the biggest cost variables.
- 5. Factor in solar and battery. If you have either, choose a charger that can work with them.
- 6. Get quotes. With those answers, an electrician can quote accurately instead of guessing.
We are an information and quote request service — we do not carry out electrical work. All installations are performed by licensed electricians.
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