Zappi
Best solar integration
7kW / 22kW
- Solar integration
- Eco/Eco+ modes
- Load balancing
- App control
The strongest solar diversion of the group. Charges only when solar is available, or tops up from the grid.
Installed price
$1,800 to $3,200
EV Chargers
Charge your electric vehicle at home with solar power. A charger that follows your solar output can take the running cost of the car close to zero.
- Home charging
- 7 to 22kW
- Solar powered
- 100%
- Per km on solar
- $0.02
- Fuel saved a year
- $1,500+
EV charger levels explained
EV chargers are grouped by power. More power charges faster, but it needs the wiring to match.
Level 1
Emergency backup only
- Power
- 2.4kW
- Charge speed
- 10 to 15km/hour
- Connector
- Standard outlet
- Installation
- No installation
- Cost
- $0 (included with EV)
Level 2 (7kW)Most homes
Most Australian homes
- Power
- 7kW
- Charge speed
- 40 to 50km/hour
- Connector
- Type 2 / Tesla
- Installation
- Single-phase
- Cost
- $1,500 to $3,000
Level 2 (22kW)
Three-phase homes, fast charging
- Power
- 22kW
- Charge speed
- 100 to 130km/hour
- Connector
- Type 2
- Installation
- Three-phase required
- Cost
- $2,500 to $4,500
Our recommendation: a 7kW Level 2 charger. It suits most Australian homes and adds about 40 to 50km of range an hour, enough to fully charge overnight. Three-phase homes can consider 22kW for faster charging.
Solar-smart charging modes
A smart charger can follow your solar output and adjust the charge rate on its own. These are the usual modes.
Full solar (Eco)
Only charges when excess solar is available. Zero grid power.
- Cost
- $0 charging cost
- Speed
- Slower, weather dependent
Solar boost
Uses solar first, tops up from grid to maintain minimum charge rate.
- Cost
- Balanced cost and speed
- Speed
- Moderate, consistent
Fast charge
Maximum power regardless of solar. For when you need range quickly.
- Cost
- Fastest charging
- Speed
- Full charger speed
Scheduled
Charges during off-peak times (for example overnight) when rates are lowest.
- Cost
- Low off-peak rates
- Speed
- Set charge time
Top EV chargers
Six chargers worth shortlisting, chosen for solar integration and smart features. Our charger reviews go deeper on each.
Tesla Wall Connector
Best for Tesla owners
7.4kW / 11kW / 22kW
- Tesla integration
- Power sharing
- Sleek design
- WiFi enabled
Built for Tesla vehicles and the Tesla app. Up to 4 units can share power.
Installed price
$900 to $1,500
Fronius Wattpilot
Best with Fronius inverters
11kW / 22kW
- Solar optimised
- Fronius integration
- App control
- RFID
Talks directly to a Fronius inverter, so it charges from surplus solar without extra hardware.
Installed price
$2,000 to $3,000
OCPP Universal
Most flexible option
7kW / 22kW
- Open protocol
- Multiple brands
- Smart features
- Future-proof
Works with any EV and can connect to various energy management platforms.
Installed price
$1,200 to $2,500
Wallbox Pulsar Plus
Compact and stylish
7.4kW / 22kW
- Compact design
- Power sharing
- Scheduling
- Myenergi compatible
Small footprint with powerful features. Good solar integration with third-party systems.
Installed price
$1,400 to $2,200
ABB Terra AC
Commercial reliability
7.4kW / 11kW / 22kW
- Commercial grade
- RFID
- Heavy-duty build
- OCPP 1.6J
Industrial-quality charger suitable for demanding home or business applications.
Installed price
$2,000 to $3,500
What 15,000km a year costs to fuel
Charging an EV on solar costs a fraction of petrol. Here is how the three options compare over a typical year of driving.
Petrol car8L/100km at $1.80/L$2,160/yr
EV on grid power15kWh/100km at $0.30/kWh$675/yr
EV on solar power15kWh/100km at about $0.05/kWh*$112/yr
*Solar cost based on the feed-in tariff you give up by using the power yourself. Actual savings depend on your solar system size and usage patterns.
- Against petrol
- $2,048/yr
- Against grid charging
- $563/yr
- Over 10 years
- $20,480+
Based on 15,000km a year. Your actual savings will vary with your driving, your electricity rates and your solar system size.
EV demand is climbing fast
EV sales in Australia grew 65% in 2025, with over 180,000 new EVs on the road. Fitting the charger before the car arrives saves a slow first few weeks on a power point.
- 1 in 5 new cars sold in Australia is now electric.
- 80% of EV charging happens at home.
- Solar and an EV charger save $2,000+ a year in fuel.
EV charger rebates in 2026
- Limited direct rebates. Unlike solar and batteries, EV chargers currently have limited specific rebates in most states. The savings come from charging with solar power.
- Bundle opportunities. Some installers offer EV charger discounts when bundled with solar or battery installations. Ask about package deals.
- The real saving is solar charging. The biggest incentive is free fuel. Charge with solar and save $1,500 to $2,500 a year compared to petrol.
What installation involves
Site assessment
The electrician checks your switchboard capacity, the cable run and where the charger will mount.
Electrical upgrade
If needed, they upgrade your switchboard or install a dedicated circuit.
Charger installation
Mounting and wiring. Typically 2 to 4 hours for a standard install.
Configuration
Set up the app, connect to WiFi, configure solar integration and charging schedules.
Included in installation
- EV charger unit
- Up to 10m cable run
- Dedicated circuit breaker
- Certificate of compliance
- App setup and training
May need extra work
- Switchboard upgrade (if at capacity)
- Cable runs over 10m
- Three-phase connection
- Trenching for underground cables
- Load management devices
Frequently asked questions
Can I charge my EV from a regular power point?
Technically yes, but it's very slow (only about 10km of range an hour). A dedicated EV charger is 4 to 10 times faster and safer for regular use. The portable charger that comes with the car is best kept for emergencies.
Do I need three-phase power for an EV charger?
No. A 7kW single-phase charger suits most homes and adds about 40 to 50km of range an hour, enough to fully charge overnight. Three-phase enables 22kW charging but isn't necessary for most users.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
With grid power at $0.30/kWh, driving 100km costs about $4.50. With solar, it can be nearly free. Compare this to about $14 to $18 for the same distance in a petrol car.
Can my solar system handle EV charging?
A 6.6kW system can fully support a 7kW charger during sunny hours. Smart chargers adjust to available solar. For maximum self-consumption, consider a larger solar system or charging during peak sun.
Are there rebates for EV chargers in Australia?
Currently, EV charger-specific rebates are limited. Some state programs include charger incentives when bundled with solar or batteries. The main savings come from charging with solar power, reducing running costs to near zero.
What happens if I charge while cooking dinner?
Smart chargers with load management automatically reduce charging power to prevent overloading your switchboard. The charger resumes full speed when other loads decrease.
Related guides
Installation guide
What an EV charger installation needs, what it costs and what happens on the day.
Read the installation guideCharger reviews
Zappi, Tesla, Fronius and the other popular home chargers, reviewed and ranked.
Read the reviewsCharge your EV with sunshine
The charger is the easy part. The solar is what makes it cheap to run. Up to $8,000+ in solar and battery rebates. One Why Solar Approved installer, one free written quote, and fifteen minutes with a solar expert before you sign. Ask them which charger suits your car and your switchboard.