With record sales and more models on the market than ever, Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a rarity in Australia. With over 180,000 of them on Australian roads as of March 2024, they’re becoming increasingly commonplace. And more EVs means more charging infrastructure is needed. Whether you're an EV owner, considering taking the plunge and buying an EV, or just want to test out taking an electric ride, finding the right charging station is key to your adventures. This guide will help you navigate Melbourne's growing public EV charging network, helping to keep your journeys smooth and your battery full.

A hand plugs a charging cable into an electric vehicle

Melbourne's EV Charging Landscape: Getting ready for the Electric Revolution

Good news if you’re an EV user – while Australia has lagged behind much of Europe and the US in embracing electric vehicles and building EV infrastructure, this is starting to change. Melbourne has a steadily expanding network of public EV charging stations, giving your electric vehicle the juice it needs. You'll find stations conveniently located throughout the city and suburbs, operated by several key providers.

Here are some of the names you'll want to know:

Chargefox & RACV: Chargefox are Australia's largest EV charging network, owned and operated by a range of motoring clubs including the RACV. They offer both fast chargers (DC) and regular chargers (AC). There are also discounts available for RACV members.
Evie: Evie offer a growing network of fast DC chargers located across Melbourne and wider Australia. Even better, Evie stations use 100% renewable energy to keep you green on the go.
Tesla Supercharger: While traditionally limited to Tesla vehicles, some Superchargers are now open to non-Tesla EVs with CCS plugs (read on if you want to know what a CCS plug is!). These stations deliver ultra-rapid charging speeds for speedy top-ups along major routes. These are the fastest chargers you’ll find in the country, giving you up to 275kms of range in a 15 minute charge.

Finding the Perfect Charge Spot

Now you know the major players, how do you actually track down a charging station? While each of these providers have handy maps on their websites and user friendly apps, our favourite site is Plugshare. They offer maps with user-generated updates on charger availability – this is super helpful for avoiding busy stations! Do check availability during peak times (think Christmas and Easter holidays) and make sure you also know what type of charger type and charging plug you use to make sure it’s compatible with your car. If that sounds complicated, don’t worry. We’ll break it down for you.

All about Charging Stations, Charging Levels, Charging Plugs and Charging Speeds

There are two main types of charging stations:

AC (Alternating Current)
DC (Direct Current)

AC chargers tend to be slower, while DC chargers, also known as Level 3 chargers, deliver power directly to the car's battery and are much, much faster. These are the ones you’ll want partway through a long roadtrip.

Here's a breakdown of the different speeds you can expect;

AC Level 1: 5-8 kms of range per hour. This will usually be what you use to charge your car overnight at home. It’s great for your battery health as it generates the least heat, and it is the cheapest option. If time isn’t an issue, this is your best choice.
AC Level 2: 25-75 km of range per hour. This is a good option for public charging when you need a bit of a top-up while you are out and about. It’s not a great option for longer roadtrips.
DC Level 3: 100-350 kms of range in 30 minutes. These are much faster than AC chargers and are your best option for longer trips.

Please note: The above is a general guide only and charging times will vary depending on your car's battery size, its onboard charging system, and the power output of the station itself. It’s best to use published ranges and charge speeds as a guide only.

EV Charging Plugs

Now you understand different charging speeds, what about the different plugs? The bad news is there are a few different ones out there, though fortunately we appear to finally be moving towards standardisation. In Australia, you’ll see 3 main plug types, and some cars will work with multiple plug types.

AC Charging: In Australia you are most likely to come across the Type 2 plug (also known as the Mennekes plug)
DC Charging: The 2 common plug types here in Australia are the CCS2 or CHAdeMO plugs

Here’s what these will look like, alongside some of the less common plug varieties.

an graphic showing the different types of EV charging plugs

If you’d like to know more, the NRMA have a great article taking you through the different plug types.

Planning Your Charge for Smooth Journeys

Making charging a seamless part of your EV journeys takes a bit of getting used to at first, but it soon becomes second nature.

Map it out: Before longer trips, identify stations along your route and factor in estimated charging times. Plan for these around meal times if you can and you won’t even notice the charging times.
Check availability: Use a provider's app to see if a station is free and avoid detours or delays. Reminder Plugshare is a great resource for this.
Know your charging speeds: Remember, AC chargers are slower than DC chargers. Choose the right type for your needs and timeframe.

Melbourne's EV Future: Bright and Sustainable

Exploring Melbourne in an electric vehicle is an exciting and eco-conscious choice. As the city's charging network continues to develop, you'll discover even more freedom and convenience behind the wheel of your EV.

A silver GoGet Electric vehicle with an orange wing mirror

GoGet: Your Sustainable Ownership Alternative

If you don’t own an EV but still want to get behind the wheel, GoGet Carshare has a small number of EVs in the network, such as the Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV. These have been introduced through partnerships with commercial and residential developers - like Nightingale Village in Brunswick. These EVs are available for hire by our members, alongside our network of 3,000 other cars and vans as a convenient, affordable and sustainable alternative to private car ownership.

Although most GoGets are ICE or hybrid models, that doesn’t mean that carshare is not fantastic for the environment. As members share, rather than owning their own cars, each GoGet takes 10+ privately owned vehicles off the road. That’s 10 vehicles that won’t need to be built, removing the embedded emmissions in their manufacturing, transportation, sales and eventual destruction. Fewer cars = lower emissions, it’s simple.

Learn more

Looking for EV charging stations in Sydney? Check out our Sydney guide to EV charging.