Short answer: the wall charger itself is usually the cheapest part of the job. What you're really paying for is a dedicated circuit from the switchboard to the charger, the right protection, and any switchboard headroom needed to carry it. A short cable run to a modern board costs far less than a long run to a full ceramic-fuse board. A site check is the only honest way to price it.
What the price is made of
| Component | Why it varies |
|---|---|
| Charger unit | Single-phase 7kW-class units suit most homes; faster units cost more and need more supply. |
| Dedicated circuit | Cable length and route — garage next to the board vs across the house — is the biggest variable. |
| Protection | Suitable overcurrent and residual-current protection per the charger and AS/NZS 3000; type depends on the unit. |
| Switchboard capacity | Full or non-compliant boards need upgrading first — see our switchboard guide. |
| Load management | Smart load balancing avoids overloading the house supply where headroom is tight. |
Single phase vs three phase
Most Brisbane homes charge overnight on a single-phase wall charger and wake to a full battery. Three-phase charging is faster and suits high-mileage drivers — but only if the property already has three-phase supply. Upgrading supply just for the charger is rarely the first answer; load-managed single-phase usually wins on value.
Can I just use a power point?
The portable cable and a 10A outlet will trickle-charge as a backup, but it's the slowest option by a wide margin and a poor nightly habit on old or heavily loaded circuits. A dedicated wall charger is faster, metered properly, and built for the job.
Related: our EV charger installation service page.
The charger unit is only part of the price. A proper install needs a dedicated circuit, the right protection, and often switchboard headroom — the cable run from board to garage and any board upgrade drive the final cost. Ask for a fixed quote after a site check, not a number over the phone.
A standard 10A outlet with the car's portable cable works as a slow backup, but it's the slowest option and not a substitute for a proper wall charger on hot or heavily loaded circuits. A dedicated wall charger is faster, safer and designed for nightly use.
No — most Brisbane homes charge happily overnight on a single-phase wall charger. Three phase charges faster and suits high-mileage drivers, but needs three-phase supply to the property. We check what you have and size the charger to your driving, not the brochure.
Yes. A fixed EV charging unit goes on a dedicated circuit with suitable overcurrent and residual-current protection, installed by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3000. The exact protection and sizing depend on the charger, the cable route and your supply — which is why a site check comes first.