LeaseAudit

EV Calculators

Home EV Charging Cost Calculator

Find the cheapest way to charge your EV based on your state, typical charging windows, and solar situation — and see which claim method (ATO shortcut vs actual cost) gives you the bigger novated lease deduction.

Your vehicle & usage

12am6am12pm6pm11pm
Overnight (cheapest) Daytime Evening (peak)

Estimated annual kWh needed: 2,250 kWh = 15,000 km × 15 kWh/100km ÷ 100

Which claim method is better for your lease?

ATO Shortcut Rate

$821/yr

15,000 km × 5.47c

No tracking needed

✓ Recommended

Actual Cost Method

$113/yr

2,250 kWh × 5.0c/kWh

Requires usage tracking

ATO shortcut rate gives you a larger pre-tax deduction — $708 more per year.

The ATO shortcut rate ($821/year) gives you a higher claim than your actual charging cost ($113). Use the shortcut — it claims $707.5 more per year without requiring any tracking.

Best tariffs for VIC

5 options available — ranked by estimated annual charging cost for your inputs. Off-peak rates apply to overnight charging window.

Lowest cost

$113/yr

5.0c/kWh effective

Powershop

EV Night

Save ~$517/yr vs current tariff

  • 5c/kWh deep overnight (midnight–4am) — one of the lowest fixed rates
  • Requires charger scheduled to midnight–4am window

5c rate only applies midnight–4am.

View plan details →

Based on 2,250 kWh/yr

$135/yr

6.0c/kWh effective

OVO Energy

The EV Plan

Save ~$495/yr vs current tariff

  • ~6c/kWh overnight (rates vary 4.5–8c by area)
  • Available NSW and VIC only

Exact overnight rate varies 4.

View plan details →

Based on 2,250 kWh/yr

$158/yr

7.0c/kWh effective

EnergyAustralia

EV Night Boost

Save ~$472/yr vs current tariff

  • 7c/kWh overnight (midnight–6am) — lowest fixed overnight rate
  • Available in most eastern states networks

Availability varies by network area.

View plan details →

Based on 2,250 kWh/yr

Savings shown vs the state standard flat rate for VIC. Actual savings depend on your current tariff. Rates verified April 2026 — verify on retailer websites before switching.

Optimal charging strategy for your setup

Overnight charging (11pm–6am) is the sweet spot for EV-specific plans. Most off-peak windows align here. On EV Night, overnight charging costs ~5.0c/kWh.

Flat rate plans can be a highly strategic choice if you cannot consistently commit to charging your vehicle overnight. Locking in a predictable flat rate is often significantly cheaper than being forced to pay punitive peak rates on a Time-of-Use (ToU) plan if you miss your scheduled off-peak charging window.

State EV incentives — VIC

Victorian EV Incentives

active

VIC residents who purchase an eligible EV may access state registration discounts and stamp duty exemptions. No dedicated home charger rebate as at April 2026 — check the VIC government website.

More info →

Thinking about a home charger?

A dedicated home EVSE wallbox unit, alongside its physical installation costs, can be bundled directly into your novated lease and paid for entirely using your pre-tax salary. Hardware costs typically span $600 to $2,500, with standard structural installation ranging between $400 and $2,000.

Crucial Watchpoint:Ensure the total cost of the vehicle plus the charger accessory does not breach the fuel-efficient Luxury Car Tax (LCT) limit, or you will instantly nullify the vehicle's entire FBT-exempt status.

Full guide: EV charging claims on novated leases →

Things to keep in mind

  • Tariff profiles reflect standard data feeds. Electricity retailers shift pricing structures periodically. Always verify active structures directly via your provider or use the independent federal portal at energymadeeasy.gov.au before altering a residential energy plan.

  • For structural ToU plans, your financial efficiency depends entirely on your discipline. Missing your automated charging windows and letting the vehicle draw power during peak evening blocks can rapidly make a ToU structure vastly more expensive than a baseline flat-rate contract.

  • Synergy remains the regulated monopoly electricity retailer across the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) in Western Australia. While competitive third-party EV plans are absent, the standard Home Plan (A1) flat rate sits at 33.26c/kWh. Alternatively, if your vehicle supports daytime garaging, you can opt for Synergy's Midday Saver tariff to capitalize on a super-off-peak 13.88c/kWh rate between 9am and 3pm.

  • The comparison between the ATO shortcut rate and actual cost accounting impacts your novated lease administrative claim pool, not your real out-of-pocket electricity bill. Securing a higher claim value simply expands your pre-tax salary sacrifice boundaries—your real energy bill remains dictated by your home retail provider contract.

  • Vehicle consumption frameworks utilize standardized factory WLTP laboratory parameters. Real-world power consumption will scale upwards based on your local climate, aggressive cabin heating/cooling, and individual driving styles. Use the calculated annual kWh figures as a conservative budgeting baseline rather than a fixed guarantee.

Estimate only. Electricity tariff data sourced from retailer websites, Canstar Blue, and energymadeeasy.gov.au (April 2026). Rates change periodically — verify current rates directly with retailers before switching plans. ATO shortcut rate from PCG 2024/2. General information only — not financial or tax advice. Benchmarks last reviewed April 2026.Full disclaimer →