Reviewed by Lee Gundenswager, Lead Electrician, Lic #92217 Last reviewed
Cost and quotes
How much does EV charger installation cost in Brisbane?
A standard single-phase home installation with Connex Electrical is from $990 installed (inc GST), with the charger itself on top unless you already own one. Most quotes land higher only when the cable run is long, the switchboard needs work or you want three-phase. We give a fixed written price before any work starts, so the figure you approve is the figure you pay.
How do I get a fixed quote?
Call 0474 207 609 or send the quote form with a few photos of your switchboard, meter box and where you want the charger. Most homes can be quoted from photos. If the job is unusual, such as a long run or an older board, we book a short site visit first. Either way the price is fixed and written before work starts.
Is there a Queensland rebate for home EV chargers?
Not at the moment. There is currently no Queensland Government rebate for home EV chargers. The state Zero Emission Vehicle rebate for cars closed on 2 September 2024 when its funding ran out. Occasionally a retailer or federally funded trial offers a subsidised charger, and if one fits your situation we will tell you. Be wary of "free installation" offers that lock you into a particular charger or energy plan.
How much will charging add to my power bill?
It depends on how far you drive and when you charge. A typical EV uses roughly 15 to 20 kWh per 100 km, so multiply your weekly distance by that and by your tariff rate. Charging on surplus solar or an off-peak rate keeps the cost well below the price of petrol for the same distance. Check your retailer for current rates.
What warranty do I get?
The charger carries the manufacturer's warranty, which varies by brand and is usually several years. Our workmanship is guaranteed too, and because we are a local Brisbane contractor rather than a call centre, you deal with the same team if anything needs attention. We will confirm the exact warranty terms for your charger in writing with the quote.
Choosing a charger
Should I get a 7kW or 22kW charger?
For most homes, 7kW is the right choice. It works on single-phase power and fully charges most EVs overnight. A 22kW charger needs three-phase supply and only charges faster if your car supports 22kW AC, which many models do not; several are capped at 7kW or 11kW. Spending extra on 22kW rarely pays off for a single household car.
Do I need three-phase power to charge an EV at home?
No. Most Brisbane homes are single phase, and a single-phase 32A charger delivers up to about 7.4kW, enough to refill a typical daily commute in two or three hours overnight. Three-phase only helps if your car can accept 11kW or 22kW on AC and you regularly need fast top-ups at home. We can tell you which applies to your car.
Which EV charger should I buy?
Choose on three things: whether you want solar-matched charging, whether you need an app and scheduling, and your budget. A Tesla Wall Connector suits Tesla owners and works with other EVs too. A Zappi or Wattpilot suits solar homes. Simpler units suit plain overnight charging. Tell us your car and setup and we will recommend two or three options.
Can a Tesla Wall Connector charge other EVs?
Yes. The current Tesla Wall Connector uses the standard Type 2 plug used in Australia, so it can charge non-Tesla EVs as well. It delivers up to about 7.4kW on single phase. It does not follow your solar surplus on its own (Tesla's solar charging features rely on other Tesla hardware), so solar owners who want that often choose a Zappi or Wattpilot instead.
Can you install a charger I have already bought?
Yes. We install chargers bought elsewhere, including units from car dealers and online stores, as long as they are approved for sale in Australia. Send us the model when you request a quote so we can check its requirements, cable sizing and any network settings before we arrive.
Can I just charge from a normal power point?
You can, but it is slow. A standard 10A power point with the portable cable that came with the car adds roughly 10 to 15 km of range per hour, which may suit a short commute. A dedicated wallbox is several times faster, safer for long daily sessions and lets you schedule charging for cheaper tariff periods.
Can I charge two EVs at home?
Yes. You can fit two chargers that share the available power, or one charger and plan charging times. Many chargers support load sharing, so both cars charge overnight without overloading your supply. If you expect a second EV soon, mention it at quoting so we size the circuit and cable for it now and save a second callout later.
Installation
How long does it take to install a home EV charger?
Most standard home installs take 2 to 4 hours on the day. That covers mounting the charger, running the cable, fitting a dedicated circuit and protection, then testing and commissioning with your car. Allow most of a day if a switchboard upgrade is done at the same visit. Booking lead time depends on the season, so call for the next available slot.
Will my switchboard cope with an EV charger?
Usually yes, but older boards are the most common reason a quote goes up. A charger needs its own circuit with RCD protection and enough spare capacity in your supply. Boards with ceramic fuses, no room for new devices or no safety switches generally need an upgrade first. We check the board on the site visit or from photos and tell you before you commit.
What if my garage is a long way from the switchboard?
A longer cable run is common and is simply priced into your quote. The cable size goes up with distance to keep voltage drop in check, and the route might go through the roof space, under the house or along an external wall in conduit. Sending photos of the switchboard and the charger spot helps us price it accurately without a visit.
Can an EV charger be installed outside?
Yes. Most wallboxes are rated for outdoor use, so a carport post or external wall is fine. We still look at placement: out of direct afternoon sun where possible, clear of where water pools, and where the cable reaches the charge port without stretching across a path. A pedestal mount works where there is no wall nearby.
Can you install a charger in an older Queenslander?
Yes. Older homes just need a closer look at the wiring and switchboard first. Many still have original or partly upgraded boards that lack room or safety switches for a new circuit. The good news is that the space under a high-set Queenslander often makes the cable run easy. We inspect first and quote any switchboard work separately so you can see it.
My house is fairly new. Is installation simpler?
Usually, yes. Homes built in the last 15 to 20 years tend to have modern switchboards with safety switches and spare space, and the garage is often close to the board. That keeps most installs at the standard price. We still confirm your supply capacity, especially if you have ducted air conditioning, a pool or an existing solar system.
Can you install a charger on an acreage property?
Yes. Acreage installs often involve a shed or garage some distance from the house, so the main questions are cable size, trenching and whether the shed already has a sub-board with enough capacity. Some acreage homes already have three-phase for pumps or workshops, which opens up faster charging. We quote the trenching and cable separately so the costs are clear.
Does the Queensland heat affect home charging?
A little. Chargers and cars can reduce charging speed when they get very hot, so a spot out of direct western sun is better for both the charger and the cable. A garage wall or shaded carport post is ideal. Charging overnight, when most people charge anyway, avoids the hottest part of the day entirely.
Does flood risk affect where the charger goes?
It can. In flood-affected streets we mount the charger and any new electrical equipment as high as practical and consider the garage floor level and the switchboard position. Brisbane City Council's flood overlay maps show your property's risk. We will talk through placement on the site visit so the install is sensible for your block.
Rules, approvals and paperwork
Do I need Energex approval to install an EV charger?
Energex rules for home EV chargers changed in October 2026, and we check the current requirements for your connection and lodge any notification Energex needs. For a typical single-phase home charger you do not need to apply for anything yourself. Three-phase chargers and multi-charger sites can need more checks against your connection, and we work through those before installation day.
Will I get a compliance certificate?
Yes. Queensland electrical contractors must give you a Certificate of Testing and Compliance for the work, and keep a copy for five years. Connex Electrical issues it after testing every installation, and it is worth keeping with your home records for insurance and resale.
Who installs the charger?
A licensed electrician from Connex Electrical, a Brisbane electrical contractor based in Mango Hill (QLD Electrical Contractor Licence #92217, $20M public liability). We do not subcontract installs to a national network, so the team that quotes the job is the team that does it.
Solar and tariffs
Can I charge my EV from my solar panels?
Yes. With a solar-aware charger such as a myenergi Zappi or Fronius Wattpilot, the charger watches your export and tops up the car with surplus solar instead of sending it to the grid. It needs a current sensor at your meter or inverter integration. Charging fully on solar works best if the car is home during the day.
What is the cheapest way to charge an EV at home in Brisbane?
Charging from your own surplus solar is cheapest, followed by charging overnight on a time-of-use or controlled-load tariff. Energex controlled-load tariffs (Tariff 31 and 33) run on a separate circuit with supply only during set hours, so they suit overnight charging but not daytime solar charging. A time-of-use plan on a smart meter is the usual alternative. Your retailer sets the actual rates. We can wire the charger to suit whichever plan you choose.
Apartments, renters and businesses
Can I install an EV charger in my apartment car park?
Usually, but you need body corporate approval first. In Queensland, installing a charger on common property needs body corporate approval, and bodies corporate can make by-laws covering EV charging, metering and billing. We can supply a written proposal covering the circuit route, metering and load management that you can take to your committee, which makes approval much easier.
How can a body corporate add EV charging for the whole building?
Start with a load assessment of the building supply, then plan a shared or individual charger layout with load management so many cars can charge without a costly supply upgrade. Billing can run through the charger software or sub-metering. We provide the assessment, a staged plan and a fixed quote for the first chargers.
I am renting. Can I still get a charger installed?
Yes, with your landlord or agent agreeing in writing first. A wallbox is a fixed electrical installation, so the owner must approve it. Many landlords say yes because it adds value to the property. We can give you a quote and a short scope of works to send to your property manager.
What is load management on an EV charger?
Load management lets the charger slow down when the rest of the property is drawing a lot of power, then speed up again when demand drops. It protects your main supply from overloading, so you can often avoid a costly supply upgrade. It is standard practice in apartments and businesses and useful in homes with big loads like ducted air conditioning.
Do you install chargers for businesses?
Yes. We install chargers for offices, shops, workshops, fleets and body corporates, from a single wallbox to multi-bay sites with load management and user billing. Business sites usually start with a load assessment and a staged plan so you can add chargers as demand grows without redoing the cabling.
Service area
Which areas do you cover?
We cover every suburb across Brisbane and the City of Moreton Bay, from the inner city and bayside to the western suburbs and the hinterland. Our base is in Mango Hill, so the northside and Moreton Bay are especially quick for us to reach, but we travel across Brisbane every week.