At a Glance
Perth's exceptional solar conditions make the running cost story for EV charging compelling, even though installation runs $1,450–$3,350 per job, roughly 10–15% above eastern capitals. Many Perth households charge during the day off rooftop solar, effectively fuelling their car for free.
What's Included in the Price
- Supply and install of a Level 2 (7kW or 22kW) wall-mounted charger
- Dedicated circuit from the switchboard with RCD protection to AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules
- Cable sized to AS/NZS 3008 for continuous load rating
- Cable run, conduit, and weatherproofing where needed
- Testing, commissioning, and Notice of Completion (NOC) lodged with Building and Energy
Labour is a bigger share of the cost in Perth compared to eastern states, making the cable run distance the most important variable in your final quote.
What Affects the Cost
- Long driveways. Perth's suburban block sizes often mean the garage is 15 to 25 metres from the house, pushing cable costs up.
- Switchboard capacity. Homes with existing solar, air conditioning, and pool equipment may need a board upgrade before the charger circuit can be added — unless you opt for Dynamic Load Balancing (see below).
- Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB). CT clamps on the switchboard monitor total household load in real time. The charger throttles automatically when your aircon, pool pump, or oven is running, then ramps back up when those loads drop off. DLB is especially valuable in Perth where homes commonly run multiple heavy loads alongside solar, and it can avoid a switchboard upgrade that would otherwise cost $1,500–$2,500.
- Three-phase supply. Many newer Perth estates (built after 2010) have three-phase as standard, enabling 22kW chargers — roughly 100+ km of range per hour and a full charge in about 2.7 hours, compared to ~8.5 hours on single-phase 7kW. If you're in an older suburb, check with Western Power whether a three-phase upgrade is feasible for your property.
- Garage vs outdoor mounting. Perth's dry climate makes outdoor installs simpler than in humid states, but outdoor chargers should be rated IP65 minimum. Perth's UV exposure is intense, so ensure conduit and enclosures are UV-stabilised — standard PVC can become brittle within a few years.
- Solar integration. WA's solar surplus makes smart chargers that prioritise daytime solar generation an obvious choice. Solar-integrated units like the Zappi or Fronius Wattpilot are particularly popular in WA, as they can automatically divert excess solar to the car rather than exporting at low feed-in rates.
- Underground cable runs. Some Perth properties require trenching across driveways or gardens to reach the garage, which adds both cost and disruption.
A straightforward install in a post-2010 home with three-phase supply, the charger on an attached garage wall within 10 metres of the switchboard, and no board upgrade needed sits toward $1,450. An older suburb home in Fremantle or Mount Lawley with a detached garage 25 metres away, single-phase supply needing a board upgrade, and trenching across an established garden pushes toward $3,350.
Perth-Specific Considerations
Perth's suburban layout is different from eastern capital cities. Larger block sizes and longer driveways mean the garage or carport is often well away from the house and switchboard. In suburbs like Joondalup, Rockingham, and Mandurah, cable runs of 20 metres or more are common, and this is where installation costs climb.
The good news is that Perth's electrical infrastructure in newer estates is often better suited to EV charging than older eastern suburbs. Many homes built after 2010 have three-phase supply as standard, which means a 22kW charger is achievable without costly supply upgrades. If you are in an older suburb, check with Western Power whether your property can be upgraded to three-phase.
Perth's solar advantage is hard to overstate for EV charging. WA has some of the highest solar generation per panel in Australia, and midday solar surplus is common. A smart charger set to charge during solar production hours means you are effectively driving on free electricity. Given the distance many Perth residents drive, this adds up fast.
On top of solar self-consumption, Synergy offers an EV Add-On plan with lower overnight and super off-peak (9am–3pm) rates specifically for EV owners. This means you can charge from solar during the day, then top up overnight at discounted grid rates — a combination that makes Perth one of the cheapest cities in Australia to run an EV.
Hiring a Licensed Electrician in WA
WA electricians must hold a licence overseen by Building and Energy (DMIRS). EV charger installations require a Notice of Completion (NOC) lodged after the work is done.
Choose an electrician who has installed EV chargers before. The continuous load calculations for a 32-amp charging circuit are stricter than for intermittent loads like ovens or air conditioners. Undersized cable under AS/NZS 3008 is the most common installation error.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed electricians in the Perth metro area, adjusted for property age. All prices include GST. Figures assume a standard residential Level 2 charger installation with cable run under 20 metres.