EV Charging Cost Calculator New Zealand

EV charging cost

Charge

Battery size

kWh

Current charge

Charge to

EV efficiency

kWh/100km

Electricity price

$/kWh

Rate category

⚡ EV off peak

Your charging cost $5.60 70.0 kWh added

Running cost $1.92 per 100 km $0.019 per km

Rate comparison

EV off peak$0.12/kWh

$8.40

$1.92 per 100 km$0.02

Home solar$0.13/kWh

$9.10

$2.08 per 100 km$0.02

Home off peak$0.25/kWh

$17.50

$4.00 per 100 km$0.04

Home standard rate$0.39/kWh

$27.30

$6.24 per 100 km$0.06

Public AC$0.45/kWh

$31.50

$7.20 per 100 km$0.07

DC fast$0.68/kWh

$47.60

$10.88 per 100 km$0.11

Ultra rapid DC$0.95/kWh

$66.50

$15.20 per 100 km$0.15

Charging cost at common electricity prices

The table below shows the estimated cost to fully charge a battery at each of the common electricity price tiers. Use it as a quick reference for comparing home, public and fast charging prices.

Charging type	Price per kWh	Cost per full charge (100 kWh)
EV off peak	$0.12	$12.00
Home solar	$0.13	$13.00
Home off peak	$0.25	$25.00
Home standard rate	$0.39	$39.00
Public AC	$0.45	$45.00
DC fast	$0.68	$68.00
Ultra rapid DC	$0.95	$95.00

Based on a typical EV (100 kWh battery) charged from empty to full. Actual costs depend on your electricity plan and charging provider.

How this calculator works

This calculator estimates the electricity cost of a charging session based on how much energy is needed and what electricity price you pay. It shows costs at every common price tier so you can compare home, public and fast charging at a glance. The cost per 100 km on each card uses your vehicle's efficiency.

Formula

Energy needed = Battery size × (Charge to − Current charge) ÷ 100

Charging cost = Energy needed × Electricity price

Cost per 100 km = EV efficiency × Electricity price

Worked example

Battery size: 100 kWh
Current charge: 10%
Charge to: 80%
Electricity price: $0.39 per kWh (Home standard rate)
EV efficiency: 16 kWh per 100 km

Energy needed: 100 × (80 − 10) ÷ 100 = 70.0 kWh

Charging cost: 70.0 × $0.39 = $27.30

Cost per 100 km: 16 × $0.39 = $6.24 per 100 km

Price preset guide

Home solar is charging from your own rooftop generation. The cost shown is not a bill — it is the feed-in credit you give up by using that energy yourself instead of exporting it, which is what makes solar charging the cheapest option here.

EV off peak refers to very low EV specific overnight pricing offered by some electricity retailers.

Home off peak refers to a more typical off peak residential rate.

Home standard rate refers to a flat residential electricity tariff.

Public AC, DC fast and Ultra rapid DC refer to common public charging categories. Prices vary between networks and locations.

These labels are shorthand for the tiers used across this site. Set your own rate for any of them in the My EV panel and every figure here recalculates. For a single charging session the tier you pick is usually decided by where the car is parked, not by what is cheapest in principle.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to fully charge an EV in New Zealand?

The cost depends on battery size and electricity price. At a standard home rate of $0.39 per kWh, a 100 kWh battery costs around $30.00 to charge from empty to full. Charging on an off peak tariff can reduce that to around $20.00 or less.

Do I ever really charge from empty to full?

Most EV owners charge regularly rather than waiting for the battery to empty. A typical habit is charging between 20 and 80 percent, which preserves battery health and covers most daily driving needs. This calculator shows the full charge cost as a reference figure.

Does battery size affect charging cost?

Yes. A larger battery holds more energy and costs more to charge at the same electricity price. A 100 kWh battery at $0.39 per kWh costs $30.00 to fully charge, compared to $18.00 for a 60 kWh battery.

What does cost per kWh mean for EV charging?

Cost per kWh is the price you pay for each unit of electricity used to charge your EV. It is the single most important number for comparing charging options because it directly determines your running cost. A lower cost per kWh means cheaper driving — whether you are charging at home, at work or at a public charger.

Why does the cost per kWh vary so much?

Electricity prices vary depending on where and when you charge. Home off peak rates can be as low as $0.12 per kWh, while public ultra rapid DC chargers can cost $0.95 per kWh or more. The difference reflects time-of-use tariffs, infrastructure costs for public chargers, and the convenience premium for fast charging. Charging at home on an off peak tariff is almost always the cheapest option.