SparkyLocal
Free EV Savings Tool

EV vs Petrol Cost Calculator

Enter your weekly kilometres, today's fuel price, and your EV model to see exactly how much switching to electric could save you — every week, every month, every year. Perth-specific defaults. Solar savings included.

Your driving details

Adjust the sliders to match your situation.

Average Perth driver does around 280–340 km/week. Check your fuel receipts for an accurate figure.
km
P

Petrol vehicle

Perth unleaded 91 average. Check FuelWatch WA for today's price.
$/L
How many litres your current (or comparison) petrol car uses per 100 km. An average SUV is 9–12 L/100km.
L/100km

Electric vehicle

Select your EV to auto-fill its real-world energy consumption. Or choose 'Custom' to enter a figure manually.
Real-world consumption: 16.5 kWh/100km
Synergy's residential time-of-use tariff is ~$0.28–$0.32/kWh. If you charge off-peak, you may pay less.
$/kWh

Your estimated savings

Updates in real-time as you adjust inputs.

You could save

$41.54

per week on fuel costs

Per month

+$179.85

~4.33 weeks

Per year

+$2,159.82

52 weeks

EV charger install payback

~12 months

Based on a typical $2,000 charger install

Weekly cost comparison

Petrol (31.5L)$56.39/wk
Electric (49.5 kWh)$14.85/wk

Over 5 years, switching to electric could save you $10,799.10 in fuel costs — before accounting for lower servicing costs on an EV.

What this calculator includes (and what it doesn't)

What's included

  • Fuel vs electricity cost per kilometre driven
  • Real-world EV consumption data for 10 popular WA models
  • Perth/Synergy residential electricity rate defaults
  • Perth average petrol price defaults (FuelWatch-aligned)
  • Optional solar savings: charging from excess solar instead of the grid
  • EV charger installation payback period estimate

What's not included

  • Vehicle purchase price or finance costs
  • Registration and CTP insurance
  • Depreciation (EVs currently hold value well in WA)
  • Servicing cost differences (EVs are typically 40–60% cheaper to service)
  • Government incentives or rebates (check your state scheme)
  • Public charging or DC fast charging costs

Why the defaults are Perth-specific

$1.79/L petrol default

Based on Perth's 2026 average for unleaded 91, sourced from WA FuelWatch weekly data. Adjust this to today's price for maximum accuracy.

$0.30/kWh electricity

Synergy's A2 flat rate for residential customers in WA. Time-of-use tariffs may be cheaper off-peak. Check your last bill for your actual rate.

300 km/week distance

ABS data shows the average Perth driver covers 13,000–17,000 km/year. We use 300 km/week (15,600 km/year) as a balanced default.

Ready to go electric?

A home EV charger is the single best upgrade you can make once you own an EV. Charging at home overnight is cheaper, more convenient, and more reliable than public charging — and with solar, it can be almost free.

EV charger installation service

What's involved and what you get

EV charger installation cost

$900–$1,800 — what affects the price

Can I charge on a standard power point?

Why a dedicated circuit matters

Charging your BYD Atto 3 at home

WA's most popular EV — full guide

Tesla Model Y home charging Perth

Australia's #1 EV — wall connector guide

Best solar EV charger: Zappi

Charge from solar excess — for free

Frequently asked questions

How much does it really cost to charge an EV in Perth?
On Synergy's standard residential tariff, Perth homeowners pay around $0.28–$0.32/kWh. For a typical EV using 16–17 kWh/100km and driving 300 km/week, that's roughly $15–$17 per week — compared to $55–$65 per week for an equivalent petrol car at $1.79/L. Solar charging reduces this further, potentially to under $5/week if most charging is done during daylight hours.
Does this calculator include registration, insurance, and depreciation?
No — this is a running cost comparison focused on fuel vs. electricity costs. Registration, insurance, and vehicle depreciation vary too much by individual circumstances to include reliably. The fuel/electricity saving shown is the cash you'd have extra in your pocket each week from not stopping at a servo.
How do EV servicing costs compare to petrol cars?
EVs have significantly lower servicing costs. There's no engine oil, no oil filter, no timing belt, no spark plugs, fewer brake replacements (regenerative braking reduces wear), and no transmission fluid. Most EV owners report annual service costs of $200–$400 vs $600–$1,200 for a comparable petrol car. This is an additional saving not included in this calculator.
If I have solar panels, can I charge my EV for free?
Not entirely free, but close. If you schedule your EV charging during the day when your solar system is producing excess energy that would otherwise be exported to the grid, you're using energy you'd receive minimal payment for (~$0.03–$0.10/kWh via Synergy's DEBS scheme) to instead charge your car. A 7kW solar system producing 3–4 hours of excess daily can cover most of a typical Perth commuter's EV charging needs.
How long until an EV charger installation pays for itself?
A typical home EV charger installation in Perth costs $1,500–$2,500. If you're saving $200/month on fuel (a common figure for medium-distance drivers), the charger pays for itself in 8–12 months. After that, every month is pure saving. The charger also adds value to your home — it's an asset, not just an expense.
Do I need a special electrician to install an EV charger?
Yes — in Western Australia, EV charger installation is notifiable electrical work. It must be completed by a licensed electrician who issues a Certificate of Electrical Compliance (CoEC). The work involves running a dedicated 32A circuit from your switchboard, installing an RCBO protection device, and mounting the wallbox. Choosing an electrician experienced in EV installations ensures the work is done right and compliant with AS/NZS 3000 wiring standards.

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