Australia’s public charging infrastructure trails behind the United Kingdom, but a recent road trip revealed a surprising cost advantage in the land of high fuel prices. The author borrowed a Kia EV9 electric large family SUV for three weeks to compare the two countries’ charging networks, finding that while the UK boasts more than 120,000 charge points, the bill for public charging was nearly double what it would cost in Australia. The most expensive charge occurred at Leigh Delamere, where a 77kWh top-up cost GBP£70.99 (AUD$152.42) at a rate of 92 pence per kWh.
Infrastructure and Pricing
Across the UK, chargers are now ubiquitous, located at major service stations, retail destinations, and on local streets. Major brands like Morrisons, Tesco, Aldi, Premier Inn, Costa, and KFC provide these facilities. A mapping service called Zapmap helps drivers locate and pay across multiple operator networks. During the trip, the author charged three times in North Devon using 50kW supermarket chargers for short shopping trips and a local service station for a 15-minute session on a 200kW unit costing around GBP£45.
Accessing the best rates requires downloading specific apps, as some locations charge 79 pence per kWh but drop to 59 pence with the right mobile application. Pre-authorisation amounts often reached GBP£40-80, with refunds taking anywhere from immediate to several days. In the second week, the author relied more on 11kW or 22kW AC stations, free 7kW units at tourist attractions, and home overnight charging. The trip covered 1402 miles and cost GBP£321 (AUD$612) for 326kWh of energy, including free and home charging.
Using Tesla Superchargers in Australian states for similar energy amounts costs roughly half as much. A domestic home charger in Australia for the same period cost only AUD$46 (GBP£24.14) for 217.9kWh. Public electricity in the UK is taxed at 20 per cent VAT, while domestic electricity is taxed at only five per cent. Commercial stations also face steep standing charges and peak demand fees based on the highest power draw at any single moment.
Australia benefits from a more favourable tax system, lower grid connection costs, and a competitive domestic energy market backed by renewable generation. Typical Australian DC fast-charging rates range between 45c and 80c per kWh, and the 10 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) is applied regardless of whether you’re using a public or home charger.
The Kia EV9, a large SUV weighing 2648kg, averaged 3.0 miles per kWh. The vehicle’s navigation system helped precondition the battery and locate charging points, preventing range anxiety during the holiday. The author notes that while the UK infrastructure is impressive, the pricing model makes public charging significantly more expensive than in Australia.
Home Charging and Local Access
The author’s family observed that home chargers were abundant in Australia, making them a practical choice for daily use. This accessibility is a key difference from the UK, where public charging dominates for those without private charging options. The Kia EV9 averaged 3.0 miles per kWh.
Grid Costs and Energy Sources
In Australia, independent energy networks and lower grid connection costs help stabilize prices. The country’s abundant rooftop solar generation floods the grid with cheap daytime energy, allowing charging networks to capitalize on reduced operational costs. Tesla Superchargers in Australia, for instance, charge at 60-70 cents per kWh, roughly half the UK’s 92 pence per kWh rate for the same 77kWh top-up. This affordability stems from Australia’s competitive energy market.
