FAQ
Below are the questions homeowners ask us most before installing a EV charger.
Have a different question? Call us on 0465 542 042 and we will answer it directly..
Cost and Pricing
What’s the average price for a home EV charger installation?
Home EV charger installs in Melbourne City generally land between $1,500 and up to $4,000 depending on your electrical setup. The charger unit itself is a smaller part of the cost than most homeowners expect. Cable run length and switchboard condition do most of the work in setting the final price.
Does the quote cover everything, or are parts of the job billed separately?
Our quotes in Melbourne City include the charger unit, all cabling and mounting hardware, a licensed electrician’s labour, safety testing, and your compliance certificate. Nothing is added after the job starts unless the scope genuinely changes. We confirm exactly what is covered before you book.
How do I avoid surprise costs on an EV charger installation?
A low quote that leaves out items such as the compliance certificate or switchboard labour is the usual source of hidden costs in this trade. Our Melbourne City quotes list every item included, so there is nothing to add later. What you see is what you pay.
Do I need to pay for a switchboard upgrade separately?
Whether a switchboard upgrade is needed depends on the age and condition of your switchboard. In Melbourne City, we check this during the site assessment and, if an upgrade is required, quote it as its own item so you know exactly what you are paying for and why.
Do you offer fixed-price quotes or is it estimate-only?
Every Melbourne City quote we issue is fixed, based on a proper assessment of your property rather than a guess over the phone. That assessment can be done in person or from photos, and the resulting quote covers the full job.
Why do EV charger installation quotes vary so much?
Cable distance, switchboard age, and mounting location all play a part in the final price for a Melbourne City home. A short, simple run to an accessible garage wall will cost less than a longer run through brick or roof space.
Do you need to see my property before providing a quote?
We can often quote Melbourne City installations remotely, using photos of your switchboard and the area where the charger will go. If your property has an unusual layout or an older switchboard, we may suggest an in-person visit to confirm the scope.
Does the price differ between a house and an apartment/unit installation?
Apartment installs in Melbourne City tend to cost more than a freestanding house of the same charger size, mainly because of longer cable runs to shared switchboards and, in some buildings, the need for sub-metering.
Is there an extra charge for strata approval on apartment installs?
Strata approval is a timing consideration more than a cost one for Melbourne City apartment and unit owners. Our installation quote is based on the electrical work required, and we support the approval process where needed at no extra charge.
Does mounting the charger outdoors cost more than inside a garage?
Indoor garage installations in Melbourne City are often slightly cheaper simply because the cable run tends to be shorter and no extra weatherproofing is needed. An outdoor position is still a common and viable option, just priced on its specific requirements.
Charger Options and EV Compatibility
How can I check what type of power supply my home has?
You can check the top of your switchboard in Melbourne City. 1 main switch means single-phase, 3 switches means three-phase. If you are not sure what you are looking at, send us a photo and we will confirm it for you before recommending a charger.
How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?
Whether your Melbourne City switchboard needs upgrading comes down to its age and available capacity. Homes built more recently, or those already renovated, often have room for a new dedicated circuit. Older switchboards may need an upgrade to safely support a charger, and we confirm this before quoting.
Can my home’s power supply handle an EV charger alongside everything else?
This is exactly what the site assessment is for. We check your Melbourne City home’s existing electrical load before recommending a charger size, and the dedicated circuit and safety switch installed with the job are designed to prevent any overload.
What if my switchboard uses old fuses instead of circuit breakers?
Older Melbourne City homes with ceramic fuse boards generally need a switchboard upgrade before a charger can be installed safely. We flag this at the assessment stage and include it in your fixed quote, so there are no surprises once work begins.
Why does an EV charger need its own circuit?
Yes, every EV charger we install in Melbourne City runs on its own dedicated circuit. This is a requirement under Australian wiring standards, and it stops the charger from competing with other appliances for power or tripping a shared circuit.
Can I upgrade to three-phase power if I don’t already have it?
A three-phase upgrade is available for most Melbourne City properties, though it requires an application to your local electricity network provider. This can take several weeks to process, so it is worth starting early if a fast charger is the goal.
Do I need a safety switch (RCD) installed with my charger?
Yes, a dedicated safety switch is a standard requirement for any new EV charger circuit installed in Melbourne City. It protects the circuit specifically and stops a fault at the charger from affecting the rest of your home’s power.
Does a granny flat or shed need its own electrical upgrade for EV charging?
Yes, a detached garage or shed can have a charger installed in Melbourne City, though it often involves a longer cable run or underground conduit from the main switchboard. We factor this into the quote once we see the layout.
Does an existing solar system affect my switchboard capacity for EV charging?
Having solar does not automatically mean you need a switchboard upgrade in Melbourne City, but a switchboard already at capacity from a solar inverter connection may need extra room for the charger circuit. We check total capacity, including solar, during the assessment.
Your Home’s Electrical Setup
Will a home charger work with any EV?
Most home chargers installed in Melbourne City use a Type 2 connector, accepted by all major EV brands currently sold new in Australia. If your car is older or was purchased overseas, let us know the make and model and we will confirm compatibility before quoting.
Should I get a 7kW or a 22kW charger for my home?
The main difference is speed and power supply. A 7kW charger runs on the single-phase power most Melbourne City homes already have, while a 22kW charger needs three-phase power. We check your supply and your car during the assessment before recommending either.
My EV came with a cable. Do I need a charger with a built-in cable too?
A tethered charger has a fixed cable built in, so you plug straight into your car without a separate cable. An untethered charger has a socket instead, which suits Melbourne City households with more than one EV or a preference for their own cable.
Can I charge a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a home EV charger?
A standard home charger installed in Melbourne City works with most plug-in hybrids, since they use the same Type 2 connector as full EVs. We confirm your specific model’s compatibility during the assessment, the same as we would for any EV.
What does a smart charger do that a standard charger does not?
A smart charger connects to your home Wi-Fi and lets you schedule charging for off-peak hours, which can lower running costs for Melbourne City households on a time-of-use tariff. A standard charger starts charging as soon as the car is plugged in, with no scheduling.
What connector type do home EV chargers use, and will it fit my car?
You can confirm connector compatibility easily. Almost every EV sold new in Melbourne City uses a Type 2 port for home charging, so a standard home charger will fit. We double check this during the assessment regardless, particularly for older or imported cars.
I have an imported EV. Will it work with a standard home charger?
Older or imported EVs sometimes use a different charging port to the Type 2 standard now used across Melbourne City and the rest of Australia. Tell us the make, model, and year when you enquire, and we will confirm compatibility before recommending hardware.
Can I upgrade my charger later if I get a different EV?
Changing your EV does not usually mean replacing the charger, provided your new car also uses a Type 2 connector, which covers the vast majority of models sold in Melbourne City. We can check compatibility if you are unsure before you buy.
What to Expect on Installation Day
What EV charger brands are available through you?
We install home EV chargers from several major brands in Melbourne City, including Tesla, Zappi, Wallbox, and Ocular. We are not tied to one brand, so we can recommend the model that best fits your budget, home, and the features you want.
Do you install EV chargers that customers have already purchased?
If you have already bought an EV charger, we can install it in Melbourne City provided it meets Australian compliance requirements. Labour-only installation is quoted separately from a job where we supply the EV charger as well.
How do I choose between the different EV charger brands available?
There is no single best brand, it depends on your EV, your budget, and whether you want smart features or solar integration. In Melbourne City, we talk through the options during the assessment and recommend based on your specific situation rather than a default choice.
Can you fit a Tesla Wall Connector even if I don’t drive a Tesla?
Yes, we install Tesla Wall Connectors for Melbourne City homeowners. Since 2024, Tesla vehicles use the standard Type 2 connector, and the Wall Connector itself works with any EV using a Type 2 plug, not only Tesla vehicles.
What’s the difference between Zappi, Wallbox, and Ocular chargers?
Zappi, Wallbox, and Ocular all support smart features such as scheduling and app control, with Zappi generally considered the strongest option for households prioritising solar charging. For a Melbourne City home without solar, the choice often comes down to design and app preference.
How long is the warranty on the different EV charger brands you install?
EV charger warranties differ from brand to brand, so we confirm the specific terms for whichever model you choose for your Melbourne City home. Our workmanship warranty on the installation itself is separate and applies regardless of EV charger brand.
Are some EV charger brands better for scheduling and monitoring than others?
App quality varies between brands, with Zappi and Wallbox generally considered strong for scheduling, solar tracking, and usage history. For a Melbourne City home focused on off-peak charging or solar, these smart features are worth comparing closely before deciding.
Solar and Smart Charging
Will my EV charger automatically use my solar power first?
Yes, when paired correctly. A charger with load management can prioritise your solar generation in Melbourne City, drawing from your panels first and only pulling from the grid when needed. We configure this as part of the installation, not as something to retrofit later.
What does a smart charger do that a standard charger does not?
A smart charger adds app control, usage tracking, and scheduling, so you can set your Melbourne City home’s charging to happen during off-peak hours automatically. A standard charger simply starts as soon as the car is plugged in, with no scheduling or monitoring.
Does an EV charger support automatic off-peak scheduling?
Yes, if you have a smart charger. You set a charging window in the app, for example 11pm to 6am, so your Melbourne City home’s charger only draws power during your retailer’s cheaper rate period. We set this up as part of the handover.
Why does load management matter for solar EV charging?
Not every smart charger includes load management as standard, so it is worth confirming this specifically if solar charging is the goal for your Melbourne City home. Without it, the charger draws a fixed amount regardless of your solar output.
Does a smart charger need Wi-Fi to work?
Basic charging generally continues without Wi-Fi, but the smart features such as scheduling and app monitoring rely on a stable connection. If your Melbourne City garage or carport has weak Wi-Fi coverage, a signal extender may be worth considering.
Can I add solar integration to my charger later if I don’t have solar yet?
Yes, in most cases. A Melbourne City charger with load management capability can be linked to a solar system whenever you install one, without needing to replace the charger itself.
Installing in an Apartment or Unit
How many hours should I set aside for the installation?
Most standard installations in Melbourne City take 2 to 4 hours from start to finish. A straightforward 7kW job with no switchboard work can be quicker, while a job that includes a switchboard upgrade will take longer, and we confirm the estimate before the day.
What do I need to be present for on installation day?
Someone needs to be at the Melbourne City property to provide access to the switchboard and charging location. It does not have to be you specifically, though it is worth being present for the handover at the end, where we walk through using the charger and app.
Will my power be off during the installation?
Most Melbourne City installations involve a brief power isolation, typically 30 to 60 minutes, while the new circuit is connected. We try to schedule this for a time that causes the least disruption and give you a clear estimate before we start.
What does the pre-installation assessment actually check?
During the assessment, we look at your switchboard, confirm whether any upgrade is needed, and measure the likely cable run for your Melbourne City property. This is what allows us to give you a fixed price rather than a rough estimate.
What does the handover process cover once the job is finished?
Once the physical work is complete, we do a full handover for Melbourne City customers, covering how to operate the charger, connect it to Wi-Fi if it is a smart model, and set up the app. You also receive your compliance certificate before we leave.
Is the installation messy or disruptive to my home?
Disruption is generally limited to the short power isolation and the immediate work area for a Melbourne City installation. We aim to leave the site as tidy as we found it once the job is complete.
Warranty and Ongoing Maintenance
Do you offer a warranty on the installation?
We back all our Melbourne City installations with a workmanship warranty. It covers the quality of the electrical work itself, including the wiring, mounting, and switchboard connection, and is separate from the charger manufacturer’s warranty.
What’s included and excluded under the installation warranty?
If a fault relates to how the charger was installed in Melbourne City, such as the wiring or switchboard connection, that is covered under our workmanship warranty. Hardware faults within the charger unit are a manufacturer’s warranty matter.
How long is the manufacturer’s warranty on the charger hardware?
The charger hardware comes with its own manufacturer’s warranty, generally ranging from 2 to 5 years. This is different to the workmanship warranty we provide on the Melbourne City installation itself, and we explain both clearly before you commit.
Do smart chargers receive software updates over time?
Most smart chargers we install in Melbourne City update automatically via the manufacturer’s app. These updates are generally minor and aimed at reliability, though we are happy to help if you notice any change in behaviour after one.
What would void the installation warranty?
Modifying the electrical work yourself or having someone other than a licensed electrician touch the circuit would void the workmanship warranty on a Melbourne City installation. Normal use and manufacturer-approved servicing do not affect it.
Charger Brands and Models
Is strata approval required before installing an EV charger in an apartment?
Body corporate approval is usually needed for apartment and unit installations in Melbourne City, particularly where the car space or switchboard is shared. We can supply a written installation proposal to help the approval process move along.
What information does the body corporate usually ask for before approving an EV charger?
Committees generally ask for a clear installation plan, including mounting position, cable path, and electrical load. For Melbourne City applications, we put this together for you so the submission is complete the first time.
Can a body corporate refuse to approve an EV charger installation?
Rejections happen occasionally, usually over concerns about shared infrastructure capacity or precedent for other owners. For Melbourne City applications, we can revise the proposal to address specific objections, which often resolves the issue on resubmission.
Will I need a separate meter for my EV charger in a shared building?
Sub-metering fits a separate meter to your car space so your EV charging is billed to you rather than the building’s shared supply. Many Melbourne City strata buildings require this as a condition of approval, and we can include it in the installation scope.
Who is responsible for maintaining shared EV charging infrastructure in a strata building?
This is typically defined in your Melbourne City building’s by laws, with common property infrastructure falling to the body corporate and anything dedicated to your own unit falling to you. We can help clarify this as part of the approval documentation.