EV charger installation in Canberra: costs, options and what to expect

Quick answer: Most Canberra homes are best served by a 7 kW single-phase wall charger, which adds roughly 40–50 km of range per hour, enough to fully recharge overnight. A standard install at Home Plus starts from $850 and most are done in about half a day. You'll pay more if the charger is a long way from the switchboard, your board needs upgrading, or you want a faster 3-phase charger.

By Jordan Grant, licensed electrician (ACT & NSW)

Your three charging options

• Portable charger in a normal power point: slow, adding roughly 10–15 km of range per hour. Fine for low daily driving or occasional top-ups, but not ideal for everyday use.

• 7 kW wall charger (single-phase): adds around 40–50 km of range per hour, enough for a full overnight charge. The right fit for most Canberra households.

• 11–22 kW wall charger (3-phase): faster, but limited by what your car can accept. Best for homes with 3-phase power, larger batteries or two EVs.

Important: many EVs can only accept around 7–11 kW on AC charging, so a 22 kW charger won't always charge faster. Check your car's onboard charger rating before paying for 3-phase.

What affects the cost of installation

Every quote depends on your home, but these are the main factors:

• Distance from the switchboard to the charger. Longer cable runs cost more.

• How the cable gets there. Through a roof space or wall cavity, under the house, or along an external wall.

• Switchboard capacity. If there's no space or the board is outdated, it may need an upgrade first. See Do I need a new switchboard for an EV charger?

• Single- vs 3-phase. 3-phase chargers need a 3-phase supply.

• The charger itself. Whether you're supplying it or we are.

• Extras. Load management, solar-aware charging, or a pedestal for a driveway.

At Home Plus we check your switchboard, quote a fixed price on site, then book your install. There are no surprises on the invoice.

Smart features worth considering

• Solar charging: some chargers can soak up excess solar during the day, so you charge from your own panels instead of the grid.

• Load management: the charger slows down automatically when your home is using a lot of power (oven, heating, hot water), which can avoid an expensive supply upgrade.

• App control and scheduling: charge during cheaper off-peak periods.

What happens on installation day

1. Arrival and walk-through. We confirm the charger location and cable route with you.

2. Running the circuit. A new dedicated circuit from your switchboard to the charger, with the right protection.

3. Mounting and connecting the charger, then setting it up on your Wi-Fi or app if it's a smart charger.

4. Testing. We test the circuit and do a test charge with your car if it's home.

5. Paperwork. You get your electrical compliance certificate.

Most standard installs take around half a day. Power is off for a short time while we connect at the switchboard.

"He recently installed a 3-phase Tesla wall charger at our place, and the experience was seamless. Jordan was professional, thorough, and clearly didn't compromise on safety or quality." — Ronnie G., Google review ★★★★★

Can I get help paying for it?

EV charging infrastructure is listed as an eligible product under the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme, which offers low-interest loans to eligible Canberra households. Check current eligibility with the scheme before you buy. Read our Sustainable Household Scheme guide.

Business and strata EV charging

Need chargers for staff, customers or an apartment car park? Multi-charger sites need load management and careful planning of the building's supply. We handle commercial and strata installs across Canberra and Queanbeyan. Commercial electrical.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a switchboard upgrade for an EV charger? Not always. If your board has spare space and enough capacity, the charger can usually go straight on. If not, we'll quote the upgrade with your charger install.

Can I install the charger myself? No. A wall charger must be installed by a licensed electrician, and you'll need a compliance certificate.

Indoor or outdoor? Both are fine with the right rated charger. Mounting it where your charge port naturally reaches avoids stretching cables.

Which charger should I buy? It depends on your car, your power supply and whether you have solar. We're happy to recommend options when we quote.

Book your EV charger installation

Fixed-price home and business EV charger installation across Canberra, Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Googong.

Get a fixed-price EV charger quote · Call 0433 976 398