comparEV Australia
Practical5 min read

DC Fast Charging Networks in Australia

Which networks cover your state, what they cost, and which app you actually need.

The situation in 2025

Australia's public DC fast charging network has expanded dramatically since 2022. The major east-coast highway corridors (Sydney–Melbourne, Brisbane–Sydney, Melbourne–Adelaide) are now well-served for EVs with 400+ km WLTP range. Regional and remote coverage is still patchy — the further from the east coast capitals, the more planning is required.

What connector do I need?

Almost every new EV in Australia uses CCS2 for DC fast charging. This is the standard you'll find at Chargefox, Evie, BP Pulse, and NRMA. Tesla Superchargers also support CCS2 adapters for non-Tesla vehicles. CHAdeMO (older Nissan Leaf standard) is being phased out.

Network-by-network breakdown

Chargefox— Ampol (majority owner)
▼
ConnectorsCCS2, CHAdeMO, Type 2 AC
Max speed350 kW (ultra-rapid sites)
CoverageStrong national coverage along major highways. Largest network in Australia by site count.
PricingPay-per-use via app or RFID card. Prices vary by site. Ultra-rapid sites ~65–85¢/kWh. Some free AC sites.
AppChargefox app (iOS/Android)
NotesMost sites open 24/7. Includes partnership with NRMA network in NSW.
Evie Networks— Evie (backed by QIC)
▼
ConnectorsCCS2
Max speed350 kW
CoverageFocus on highways between capital cities — strong QLD/NSW/VIC corridors. Growing rapidly.
PricingPay-per-use via app or credit card tap. ~65–85¢/kWh at fast sites.
AppEvie app, or contactless card tap
NotesReliable uptime record. No RFID membership required.
Tesla Supercharger— Tesla
▼
ConnectorsCCS2 (since 2023)
Max speed250 kW (V3 Superchargers)
CoverageExcellent coverage along east coast and major cities. Expanding nationally.
PricingVia Tesla app. Non-Tesla vehicles ~55–70¢/kWh. Tesla owners on certain plans may charge free.
AppTesla app (required for non-Tesla)
NotesOpened to non-Tesla in late 2023. Consistently high reliability and speed. Best network for Tesla owners.
BP Pulse— bp
▼
ConnectorsCCS2
Max speed150 kW
CoverageGrowing network primarily at BP service stations. Strong urban coverage.
PricingPay via app. ~65–80¢/kWh.
AppBPme or BP Pulse app
NotesConvenient at fuel stations for combined coffee/fuel stops. Limited rural coverage vs Chargefox/Evie.
NRMA EV Charging— NRMA
▼
ConnectorsCCS2
Max speed150–350 kW
CoverageGrowing NSW focus, with sites in regional NSW that other networks don't cover.
PricingPay-per-use via app. ~65–80¢/kWh.
AppNRMA app
NotesBuilt for regional NSW accessibility. Good if you drive outside metro areas in NSW.
Jolt— Jolt Energy
▼
ConnectorsType 2 AC only (22 kW)
Max speed22 kW AC
CoverageMajor cities only — Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney. Retail car parks.
Pricing3 free kWh/day per registered user, then ~39¢/kWh.
AppJolt app (required)
NotesGood for top-ups in urban areas. Not suitable for road trips — AC only.

Which apps should I download?

You don't need every network's app. A practical minimum:

Must-have:Chargefox — largest network, covers most highways
Must-have:PlugShare — crowd-sourced map showing all networks including real-time status
Recommended:Tesla app — if doing east-coast trips (even for non-Tesla)
Recommended:Evie — reliable 350 kW speeds on key highway corridors
For road-trip planning:ABRP (A Better Route Planner) — plans stops based on your specific car and battery

How much does public charging cost?

DC fast charging costs more per kWh than home charging — that's the price of convenience and speed. Typical figures in 2025:

Charger typeTypical cost
Home power point (~2.4 kW)~25–35¢/kWh (~$0.05/km)
Public AC charger (7 kW)Free–35¢/kWh
DC fast charger (50–150 kW)~55–80¢/kWh (~$0.10–0.15/km)
Ultra-rapid (150–350 kW)~65–85¢/kWh

Even at 80¢/kWh public charging, the per-km cost for an efficient EV is around 12–14¢/km — still cheaper than the 16–20¢/km for a typical petrol car.

State-by-state coverage notes

NSWBest-covered state. Sydney has dense urban charging; Hume Hwy, Pacific Hwy and major regional routes have regular charger stops.
VICMelbourne well-served. Hume, Western, South Gippsland, and Great Ocean Road corridors covered. Alpine areas sparse.
QLDBruce Hwy from Brisbane to Cairns has reasonable coverage but gaps in north QLD. Gold/Sunshine Coasts well-served.
SAAdelaide and surrounds fine. Outback routes (Port Augusta onwards) require advance planning. Chargefox covers major stops.
WAPerth metro adequate. Great Eastern Hwy (Perth–Kalgoorlie) is viable for LR vehicles. Beyond Kalgoorlie, very limited options.
TASGrowing — major towns and tourist routes have coverage via ChargeSmart TAS and Chargefox. Rural gaps remain.
ACTWell covered within Canberra. Short distances mean home charging handles most needs.

Planning a road trip?

Use our Road Trip Planner to see exactly where you'd charge, how long it takes, and the cost for your specific vehicle and route.

Open Road Trip Planner →
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