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Book a demoAre you a proud owner of an Electric Vehicle (EV) or are you planning to become one? Wondering where you can find EV charging stations in NSW for that upcoming road trip? You’ve come to the right place.
This article will answer all your questions about electric charging stations in Australia’s southeastern state, and show you how to locate and use them.
More importantly, we’ll put to rest your concerns — starting with the main one: are there enough charging stations in NSW?
Ready to find out? Let’s dive in.
State / Territory | Fast (24kW - 99kW DC) | Ultrafast (100kW DC+) | Total |
---|---|---|---|
ACT | 6 | 3 | 9 |
NSW | 131 | 43 | 174 |
NT | 3 | 0 | 3 |
QLD | 93 | 16 | 109 |
SA | 42 | 9 | 51 |
TAS | 31 | 5 | 36 |
VIC | 97 | 32 | 129 |
WA | 36 | 12 | 48 |
Grand total | 438 | 120 | 558 |
Source: The Electric Vehicle Council
So to answer the question: yes, there are enough chargers in NSW.
Strategically located along major highways, in metropolitan areas, and even in regional towns, there are enough EV charging stations in NSW to meet the growing demand and alleviate “range anxiety” for EV owners.
For instance, consider a drive from Sydney to Newcastle, one of the popular routes in New South Wales. Along the Pacific Motorway (M1), multiple fast-charging stations are available at key intervals, such as at Berowra and Wyong.
These charging stations are part of well-known networks like NRMA and Chargefox, ensuring reliability and easy access. With this level of coverage, even if you start with only a half-charged battery, you can confidently make the journey without ever worrying about running out of power.
But it doesn’t end here.
RELATED: Charging up Down Under: a comprehensive guide to EV charging stations in Australia
Here is the low down on where you can charge up in NSW.
Various apps and websites such as PlugShare, EVC, NRMA and Tesla allow you to search for “EV charging stations near me” that are specifically located in NSW.
These platforms usually provide real-time availability status, type of charger, and user reviews. Most of these apps offer trip-planning features so you can incorporate charging station stops into your journey. This helps you to optimise your travel time and make the most of your EV’s driving range.
Now you can also plan an EV road trip with Google Maps’ charging feature. For EVs with Google Maps installed, the navigation app can manage vehicle charging along your route, which eliminates the stress of getting to a charging station before your battery runs out.
Here are the best interactive maps you can bookmark:
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Public charging provider standard pricing rates (August 2023) | |
---|---|
Chargefox 50kW DC | $0.45 per kWh |
Chargefox 350kW DC | $0.60 per kWh |
Evie Networks 50kW DC | $0.50 per kWh |
Evie Networks 350kW DC | $0.65 per kWh |
BP Pulse 75kW DC | $0.55 per kWh |
Ampol AmpCharge 150kW DC | $0.69 per kWh |
Tesla Superchargers 150kW/250kW DC | ∼$0.43 to $0.69 per kWh* |
Source: WhichCar? – How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
*Tesla uses variable pricing, which changes depending on the time-of-day and station demand. ‘Idle fees’ also apply when the vehicle has finished charging, but is still plugged in after five minutes – penalising $0.50 or $1.00 per minute when the location is 50 per cent or fully occupied respectively. Charging costs ∼$0.65 to $0.81 per kWh for non-Tesla EVs without membership at select trial locations.
The cheapest EV charging network in NSW is Chargefox at $0.45 per kWh for a 50kW DC charge port.
Chargefox was founded in 2018 and is Australia’s largest EV charging network. Someone plugs into a Chargefox network every minute! Simply download their app to find, use and pay for a charging station. You can find their charging points at McDonalds, Coles, Intercontinental hotels and more.
The good news is that many public EV charging stations across the state offer free charging.
These tend to be the slower AC chargers and are often located in public car parks where the only cost to you is the fee to park your car. Some hotels and restaurants also offer free charging to their guests.
The most cost effective, reliable and convenient way to recharge your EV is at home.
According to the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy tool, the average off-peak pricing for time-of-use plans can range between $0.20 to $0.30 per kWh. This is based on charging from 10pm to 7am and varies depending on your electricity provider and the specific plan you have.
In NSW the average electricity cost to fully charge your vehicle at home is $18.74.
This is based on charging an EV with a 60kWh battery on the flat regulated tariff of 31.2363 c/kWh.
Want to take advantage of lower electricity rates during off-peak hours? Simply schedule an AC charging timer on your EV model or wall box so all you need to do is plug in your vehicle when you get home.
If you have solar panel systems in your home then you’ll enjoy free charging whenever the sun is out! Some smart AC wall box chargers can even be set to automatically charge when there’s solar generation.
In NSW, you can charge your EV at locations that might well fit into your daily routine — at home, at work, when you shop or even while you enjoy a burger.
How long does it take to recharge in NSW?
Depending on the charger type and your vehicle’s battery size, charging can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. DC fast chargers are commonly quicker, offering an 80% charge in approximately 20-30 minutes.
The table below gives an approximate guide to how many kilometres can be gained per hour and per 15 minutes of charging:
Charge rate (kW) | Range gained per hour | Range gained per 15m |
---|---|---|
2.2 | 15km | 3.75km |
3.7 | 25km | 6.25km |
7.7 | 40km | 10km |
11 | 65km | 16.25km |
22 | 130km | 32.5km |
50 | 300km | 75km |
150 | 900km | 225km |
350 | 2,000km | 500km |
Source: NRMA
It’s worth remembering that there are a lot of factors that will influence charging time:
Let’s see how this works in real life:
Driving range (or the maximum distance an EV can travel on a fully charged battery) varies depending on numerous factors, such as the car model, average energy usage, charging method, age of the battery, individual driving habits, and outside temperature.
Most EVs can cover between 250 and 300km on a full charge. Tesla’s Model S Plaid, BMW’s iX, Kia EV6, and Audi e-tron are among the models that offer extended ranges.
Given the average commute distance in NSW — approximately 40km round trip — a Level 2 home charger can easily fully charge most EVs overnight, offering more than sufficient range for daily travel and errands.
And if you’re looking for an easy way to tell if an EV will meet your needs, simply look at the manufacturer’s claimed range and consider your lifestyle and driving habits.
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With a growing network of 174 high-power charging stations and future investments in the pipeline, New South Wales is well-equipped to support your EV journey. Charging is not just accessible but also cost-effective, especially when done at home.
Range anxiety is becoming a thing of the past. Most modern EVs boast a range of between 250 and 300km on a full charge. Given the average daily commute in NSW is about 40km, and high-speed public chargers can top you up in as little as 15 minutes, running out of power should be the least of your worries.
Ready to go electric? Then you should explore a Flare novated lease. It’s a simple way to make the most of the available tax savings and embrace a sustainable lifestyle.
Yes, there are enough EV charging stations in NSW to meet the current demand. There are 174 high-power charging stations strategically located in metropolitan areas, along major highways, and in regional towns. The NSW government also plans to invest $149 million to add approximately 250 new fast and ultra-fast charging stations in the coming years.
Some public EV charging stations in NSW do offer free charging, typically the slower AC chargers located in public car parks. The main cost at these stations is usually the fee to park your car. Some hotels and restaurants also offer free charging to their guests.
EV charging station costs vary depending on the location and the supplier. You can generally expect to pay $0.50/kWh to recharge your EV for fast DC charging. However, charging at home remains the cheapest option.
If you charge your car during off-peak pricing times (typically 10pm-7am), the cost can range from $0.20 to $0.30 per kWh. If you have solar panels installed, then you can enjoy free charging when the sun is out.
The cheapest EV charging network in NSW is Chargefox at $0.45 per kWh for a 50kW DC charge port.
Charging times vary depending on the type of charger and the vehicle’s battery size. DC fast chargers can typically deliver an 80% charge in approximately 20-30 minutes.
Fast charging stations offer a power range of 24kW to 99kW DC, while ultra-fast charging stations provide 100kW DC and above.
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